Letters for Nov. 5, 2015 Oversight is indeed the right word This letter is in response to an article written by Mark Phillipson, lead Hawaii Corporate Relations, Syngenta Hawaii LLC (TGI, Oct. 31). He stated that “GM (genetically modified) foods
Letters for Nov. 5, 2015
Oversight is indeed the right word
This letter is in response to an article written by Mark Phillipson, lead Hawaii Corporate Relations, Syngenta Hawaii LLC (TGI, Oct. 31). He stated that “GM (genetically modified) foods do not pose any risk to people.”
He went on to say federal oversight of pesticides is required to ensure that their use (GM foods) will not cause unreasonable adverse effects to humans. Federal oversight? When you look up oversight, the meaning is, unintentional failure to notice or do something.
Sound like a government agency or what? He also stated these new GM crops have the ability to fight plant pests, insects, weeds, and diseases. From what I understand being an average citizen is these companies, Syngenta, Pioneer, BASF, and Agrigenetics (DOW) alter the DNA of the plants, corn, soy and others to uptake restricted use pesticides. Once in the plants, DNA pests and weeds die when they come in contact with them.
What about the humans and animals that consume them? No worries the Oversight Committee is making sure there is no unreasonable adverse effects. So a tumor here, cancer there, maybe some cases of autism, that’s not unreasonable right? Wrong!
He tries to reassure us by sending us to some website most likely set up by the chemical companies. Do you think they are going to tell us the truth about the risks of these foods? Think again. A very intelligent man once said “Concern for man and his fate should always be in the forefront of all scientific endeavors.” — Albert Einstein
Linda Bothe
Kalaheo
County manager system needed
Our County of Kauai government is in dire need of a major change. The current system is called a “mayor-council system,” sometimes referred to as a “strong mayor system.” It is old fashion and no longer works in our society.
It lacks continuity.
It is totally deprived of accountability.
Continuously presents doubts of transparency.
And obviously demonstrates a void of efficiency.
A council-manager system is not a perfect system, but it will surely provide a tremendous improvement in those four necessities of any government. Especially a government with a budget of nearly $200 million.
Born and raised on Kauai, as were my parents and my grandparents, I had the opportunity to work for a government agency in California for 30 years run under a manager system. I sincerely believe that a council-manager system will undoubtedly improve the operations of our county government — continuity, accountability, transparency, efficiency.
There is currently an online poll being taken at http://m.thegardenisland.com/would-a-county-manager-system-of-government-serve-the-county/poll_d808921e-7ea4-11e5-8bdc-bbd08dbc1d39.html?mode=jqm
Before this Thursday, please click on the link and vote “Yes. It would be more efficient and professional.”
If you have any questions or concerns, I suggest going to the following web link that may provide answers: http://tinyurl.com/CountyManagerInformation
This link was set up by Council member Mason Chock and the council subcommittee.
Larry Arruda
Kapaa
Interisland airfares are too high
You must have been reading my mind! I was so happy to see the front page story on cheaper interisland airfares. Hawaiian has had a monopoly since they “negotiated” with Aloha Air to take the cargo, so they could take the passengers. I believe there probably could be an anti-trust suit for this monopoly.
On Oct. 17, I purchased a roundtrip fare to Honolulu from Lihue, so that I could attend a nonprofit annual meeting. Fare was $163. That week I found out there would be a “teachers refresher seminar” after the meeting. On Oct. 23, just six days later, I had to pay $255 each for my two teachers. Gas prices are down, but Hawaiian Air continues to “expand it routes” and buy new planes at the cost to the Hawaiian residents. That same week, I saw an article claiming they had made $78.4 million for the quarter.
I believe in free market enterprise, but this is a situation of greed and lack of competition. When I moved to Kauai eight years ago, I could purchase a ticket to Honolulu for $29.
It’s time for you to demand that we not be gouged on interisland air fares. Bravo to Ross Kagawa for bringing this to the attention of the council!
Kathy Sheffield
Kalaheo
