21? Really?
21? Really?
I enjoyed reading about the valedictorians from Hilo High, but 21 valedictorians — really?
A few years ago, when I graduated high school (OK, the ’60s) there was only one valedictorian. By the way, he did not have straight A’s.
Being slightly confused (which comes with age), I checked Webster for a definition. “Valedictorian: The student who has the highest grades in a graduation class and who gives a speech at graduation.”
Notice that “student” is singular.
No slight intended for the accomplishments of Hilo’s 21, but either pick one or make the curriculum more demanding. The present situation seems akin to a keiki baseball tournament where everyone gets a participation trophy.
Is that what we really want from our school system?
Fred Fogel
Volcano
What’s fair?
On Sunday, May 14, the Tribune-Herald published an analysis of proposed real property tax hikes for the Big Island.
Immediately self-appointed fairness expert Kevin Hopkins, professor at University of Hawaii at Hilo’s College of Agriculture, attacked the proposal, stating “It’s the rich people who aren’t paying their fair share.”
Professor, stick to your field of expertise. You’re no economist.
From the article: These three leeward districts, Kona, North Kona and Kohala, with one-third of the Big Island’s total population, 198,000, pay almost 70 percent of property tax revenue.
There are 140,858 taxable properties; 35,689 lot owners paid the minimum, $100, last year.
Professor, what’s fair? Should these three districts pay 80 percent, perhaps 90 percent of the Big Island’s property taxes? Would these percentages satisfy your narrow “entitlement” view of the world?
Clearly, it’s the professor’s intent to distort the truth with hyperbolic “progressive” political tripe in order to start class warfare.
Arthur Warren
Keaau
Do a better job
Government is not to be served by the people. Government exists to serve the needs of the people.
Want to raise taxes? How about just run the county better?
Why is there the need for 77 cars and trucks with county license plates parked around the Apuni Center on Saturday morning? Typically, 50 or more during the week?
Does anyone who works for the county get a car for their use? They don’t, but looks like a real excess cost to the county!
“The county needs police cars.” How about taking or transferring some the excess vehicles from the county to the police!?
OK, now let’s get some common sense in our budget. Remember, the percentages increase, such as property taxes, automatically with the economics of the area. The gas tax might be a need, but let’s keep it reasonable. Don’t raise it just because “Maui has a higher gas tax.”
James R. Ederer
Hilo