Your Views for Jan. 25

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Mayor is ‘talented’

Billy Kenoi is our local, Hawaiian mayor. When Billy was elected to be the mayor for the Big Island of Hawaii, he promised to work hard and give it his best. People, Billy is doing all that and then some.

When he became mayor, he inherited all of this mess. What I like about him is that he doesn’t knock the next guy down just to get ahead. He knows the situation and what it takes to put Hawaii back on the right track.

People, you can’t do it overnight. Billy is doing his best and is doing a very good job. It takes time and a lot of money to do what needs to be done.

I know Billy very well. He goes to a lot of meetings and listens and acts upon the needs of our island and the people. He makes decisions that people wouldn’t make, and it turns out very well. He’s a very smart and talented young man.

It takes time. You should give him a chance and back him up. There are a lot of people who love to quarterback. Just remember your day will come when you fumble the ball.

All I ask of you is to be fair and honest. The economy is in bad shape right now. The best thing for you to do is back up your mayor. Take one step at a time … and you will be fine. Think about it, people!

Joe Lopez

Hilo

Appetite for taxes

In reference to the county’s review of their land tax policies, County Finance Director Nancy Crawford was recently quoted telling the County Council, “Ultimately, you charge the rates you need to get the revenue you need to run the county.” Then, Ms Crawford, are there any limits to government’s insatiable appetite to spending and taxing, or is it only matter of taxing to meet any spending level?

In a recent Tribune-Herald article, County Real Property Assistant Administrator Michael McCall is quoted as saying that the agricultural property assessment exemption program, which accounts for approximately 14 percent of property taxes that could be collected annually, is “very lucrative,” as if it were the government’s money in the first place.

In that same article, consultant Jeff Melrose noted that agricultural land for “a retirement home for a couple of sheep and a llama” is somehow not a bona fide farm. If so, than what other zoning classification would be more (legitimate) for the freedom of a retired American?

What has happened to our republic? Since when did owning private property become a liability, subject to the taxing whim of progressive bureaucrats? When did we become a people of the government, by the government and for the government?

Rick Toledo Jr.

Hilo



Mayor is ‘talented’

Billy Kenoi is our local, Hawaiian mayor. When Billy was elected to be the mayor for the Big Island of Hawaii, he promised to work hard and give it his best. People, Billy is doing all that and then some.

When he became mayor, he inherited all of this mess. What I like about him is that he doesn’t knock the next guy down just to get ahead. He knows the situation and what it takes to put Hawaii back on the right track.

People, you can’t do it overnight. Billy is doing his best and is doing a very good job. It takes time and a lot of money to do what needs to be done.

I know Billy very well. He goes to a lot of meetings and listens and acts upon the needs of our island and the people. He makes decisions that people wouldn’t make, and it turns out very well. He’s a very smart and talented young man.

It takes time. You should give him a chance and back him up. There are a lot of people who love to quarterback. Just remember your day will come when you fumble the ball.

All I ask of you is to be fair and honest. The economy is in bad shape right now. The best thing for you to do is back up your mayor. Take one step at a time … and you will be fine. Think about it, people!

Joe Lopez

Hilo

Appetite for taxes

In reference to the county’s review of their land tax policies, County Finance Director Nancy Crawford was recently quoted telling the County Council, “Ultimately, you charge the rates you need to get the revenue you need to run the county.” Then, Ms Crawford, are there any limits to government’s insatiable appetite to spending and taxing, or is it only matter of taxing to meet any spending level?

In a recent Tribune-Herald article, County Real Property Assistant Administrator Michael McCall is quoted as saying that the agricultural property assessment exemption program, which accounts for approximately 14 percent of property taxes that could be collected annually, is “very lucrative,” as if it were the government’s money in the first place.

In that same article, consultant Jeff Melrose noted that agricultural land for “a retirement home for a couple of sheep and a llama” is somehow not a bona fide farm. If so, than what other zoning classification would be more (legitimate) for the freedom of a retired American?

What has happened to our republic? Since when did owning private property become a liability, subject to the taxing whim of progressive bureaucrats? When did we become a people of the government, by the government and for the government?

Rick Toledo Jr.

Hilo