Editor’s note: Old-timers might still remember the introduction from The Shadow radio program: “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!” Jerome Freitas, a retired state Department of Transportation worker who is now better known
Editor’s note: Old-timers might still remember the introduction from The Shadow radio program: “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!” Jerome Freitas, a retired state Department of Transportation worker who is now better known as Da Shadow, since 2004 has been meeting with government representatives about problems he has discovered or that have been reported to him, and reporting the county’s responses.
Koloa Road pedestrian bridge
Da Shadow: On Koloa Road, after turning left off of Maluhia to head toward Big Save, there is a pedestrian bridge on the left side of the road and the cement is cracked. It appears to be unsafe. What is the status of this bridge?
County: Public Works Roads Division has temporarily placed concrete barriers in the area for vehicle and pedestrian safety. The bridge will be scheduled for repairs sometime in the spring or summer as manpower allows.
Department of Water
Da Shadow: Is the Department of Water planning to move offices or renovate their current office?
County: The Department of Water is planning to construct new administrative offices on a parcel of land next to its baseyard. Construction is expected to begin this year.
The new offices will provide adequate space for administrative personnel, and will be built to current energy codes. Once complete, the current offices will continue to be occupied by Water’s field personnel.
Kaua‘i County Council
Da Shadow: There has been a suggestion that the council post a “free speech” item on their agenda, where people can speak on any item whether it’s on the agenda or not. Can this be done?
County: Pending response from Council Services.
Vehicle allowance
Da Shadow: Who in the county is entitled to draw a car allowance, what types of expenses is it intended to cover, and how much is the monthly allowance?
County: Presently auto allowance costs are budgeted for only in the Council Services budget, in the amount of $42,000, presumably for use by council members.
Nothing is budgeted for administrative departments for a car allowance. We have requested a copy of any policies and procedures from Council Services which would govern how these funds are expended.
Kaua‘i Police Department
Da Shadow: Police vehicles used to have a decal that stated “to serve and protect.” Why don’t the new vehicles have this decal?
County: The use of that phrase was discontinued roughly 10 years ago, however the department is considering using the same phrase in Hawaiian “E Ho‘omalama Pono” on new vehicles in the future.
Mayor’s Office
Da Shadow: What is the Freedom of Information Act?
What kind of information isn’t considered public information?
County: The FOIA is a law that gives you the right to access information from the federal government. It is often described as the law that keeps citizens in the know about their government.
There are nine categories of exemptions from the FOIA, such as classified information, personal privacy information, trade secrets and criminal information.
More information on FOIA can be obtained at www.foia.gov.
• Jerome Freitas can be reached at theshadow96751@gmail.com or 635-3528. Visit his website at http://theshadow96746.tripod.com.
