• No such thing as free • Smart meter opt-out • Open old cane roads No such thing as free There is no such thing as free. Free just means that someone else pays for it. “The shortfall, she said,
• No such thing as free • Smart meter opt-out • Open old cane roads
No such thing as free
There is no such thing as free. Free just means that someone else pays for it.
“The shortfall, she said, could be easily made up by adjusting the rates of other tax classes.”
According to The Garden Island, this statement was made by one of our council members, who was one of two who were in favor of Bill 2425, which would have increased homeowners exemptions.
That would have been a great advantage for those people that live on Kaua‘i and are fortunate enough to live in a home that they own. And that includes all those retired Mainland people that are buying homes and moving to Kaua‘i. I wonder what percentage of native-born Kaua‘i residents would benefit.
Based on that statement by that councilperson, it would not be a benefit for commercial or industrial property owners, or owners of homes or condos that are rented out. Homes or condos that are rented to people less fortunate and cannot afford to even buy their own homes. What is “tax fairness” about that?
Collecting less taxes from people fortunate enough to own their own homes and collecting more taxes from the other property owners is just another example of “shifting the tax burden”. In this case, it’s like shooting yourself in the foot.
Increasing the property taxes for residential properties that are rented out by the owner means that the owner, now faced with higher taxes, will likely increase the rent. Higher rent that the less fortunate renters must now pay.
Increasing the property taxes for commercial or industrial properties would result in those companies increasing the cost of the products and/or services that they provide.
Products and/or services for which you and I, and even the people that benefited from the greater homeowners tax exemption, will now have to pay a little more.
The only thing that is accomplished by shifting tax burdens, or by increasing taxes on anyone, is it allows the county, or any government entity to continue with their frivolous spending.
According to the TGI article, the other five council members voted no because of “economic uncertainty”. There is nothing “uncertain” about the county’s financial situation. This “economic uncertainty” is simply a concern that they may have to make up the shortfall from the pockets of their constituents.
Take a good hard look around you. We are paying more taxes and government fees and getting so much less for it.
It is my hope that someday, we will have a County Council and a mayor that are truly concerned about the people of Kaua‘i and will try to look at issues beyond the tips of their own noses.
Try to look at the entire picture. Look at issues as how they will affect everyone. Not just a few. That is the “fair” thing to do.
Larry Arruda, Lihu‘e
Smart meter opt-out
During a recent radio interview on KKCR with Carol Bain of KIUC Board of Directors, she reported it would be necessary to install a certain number of smart meters for the smart meter grid to be functional.
There are many residents on Kaua‘i who oppose smart meter installation for proven adverse health and privacy reasons.
KIUC president David Bissell has stated that plans are underway to send residents notices two weeks in advance of smart meter installation on their properties.
If anyone opposes smart meter installation, Mr. Bissell advises that they can notify KIUC if they wish to opt out. He promised during the last KIUC meeting that an “indefinite deferral” of installation would be granted while KIUC “assesses” the situation.
I urge all concerned citizens to opt out when they receive their notice of installation in two weeks, especially considering Carol Bain’s information that the smart meter grid cannot be operational without a required number of functioning smart meters.
Janet Ashkenazy, Kilauea
Open old cane roads
Connecting communities by adding more walk/bike paths is a plus for physical exercise, etc.
However, if it is a long walk to get to an appointment on a hot windless day, no one would want you in the office smelling bad.
Also, I agree that paths and buses can lessen traffic on the road. But not by much, because not everyone would do both what is mentioned.
So the idea of opening old cane haul roads between communities is a better solution for those traveling from point A to point B.
Kaumuali‘i and Kuhio highways are almost impossible to travel because of too many vehicles on the road.
We need to connect old cane haul roads above the towns and add exits to get into the old highways to get into town.
The creation of a new highway using old cane haul roads above the towns would relieve traffic on the old highways. The new highway will serve as a bypass through the towns.
I know that many commercial establishments will say it would take away business from them. However, people still has to shop for their necessities and food.
People will still have to eat, people will still need gas for their vehicles, to go to appointments and to see a doctor and/or dentist. So they will drive into town for those things.
I stand by Mr. Glenn Mickens, and I say, “open old cane haul roads,” because of overcrowded highways which are getting worse.
Howard Tolbe, ‘Ele‘ele
