Tax and
spend(ers)
In the May 1 edition of the Tribune-Herald in the article titled, “For the greater good,” our county Mayor Harry Kim is quoted as saying, “tax increases of any kind are frowned upon, for sure … if there is going to be an increase, it’s because we can’t balance it any other way.”
And the mayor is ably aided and abetted by County Council Chairman Aaron Chung, who is quoted in the same article: “… I’m not a person that’s fond of taking from the rich and giving to the poor, because it’s already built into our system”
Can’t balance it any other way?
It is quite apparent that neither of these elected officials has ever run any other business besides running the local government, where they willy-nilly raise taxes when revenues run a little short.
Neither one has any idea that there is another way — reducing one of the largest line items in the expenses, called payroll.
“Because it’s already built into our system” is so cogent!
Chris Tamm
Pepeekeo
Enough is enough
It brings sadness to hear that our Mayor Harry Kim is running again. Why?
He and our governor did nothing to enforce the Supreme Court ruling and are allowing the people of Hawaii to live in a lawless state.
Let’s address the Thirty Meter Telescope project. The protesters have had their day in court and in the state Supreme Court.
The Constitution of the United States guarantees us the right to a fair and impartial hearing, with the right to appeal. After all hearings have been exhausted and the court renders a decision by the Supreme Court, then the ruling should be upheld by our appointed officials.
By not enforcing the law, you are breaking the law.
The mayor should just step down and retire for lack of good judgment
and lack of understanding about how to lead our county. It is imperative that we abide by the law and allow TMT to proceed with their project.
TMT is offering us a better economy, which is jobs, which equates to money in your pocket to feed our families and stimulate the county’s growth.
The people of Hawaii have waited too long for this project to take place. A’ole to the protesters, and their followers. The mayor has no vision whatsoever!
We have lost jobs, medical insurance, food on our tables and homes, and now with COVID-19 we are in dire straits, and many of us would have survived with the added income.
You are breaking the law, and you failed to do your job!
We need leaders, not procrastinators — leaders who enforce the law, no matter how hard the decision is.
Bruce W. Heidenfeldt
Hilo
Selfish behavior
My wife came home from work the other day (an essential job) and mentioned how co-workers in her office had gone over to the local food bank lineup and obtained boxes of free food to take home with them.
None of these persons is out of a job or in dire need of feeding their family.
In this time of crisis in Hawaii, we all need to take stock of who is actually in most need of help, instead of just lining up for any and all “freebies.”
I urge my fellow citizens to think about this before rushing out to take what the The Food Basket is generously providing for those in need.
Jim Jenson
Ka‘u
