Another ‘nanny’ tax
What’s up with Mr. Russell Ruderman’s remarks (Their View, Feb. 19)?
As an adult, I can see exactly where he’s going with his call for a 2-cents-per-ounce tax on sugary drinks.
I can make up my own mind on what I put in my system, along with the negative results. If I need to go to the hospital because of my choices in drinks, I will not make the residents of Hawaii pay for my medical care. It will be taken care of by the federal government (Veterans Affairs).
Sorry, Mr. Ruderman, but another “sugar tax” on the residents is nothing but another “nanny” way for the state/county government to impose their will on the citizens.
Look, if I drink regular soda, who does it impact beside me?
Perhaps the government should worry about the alcohol-impaired driver who can injure or kill a nondrinking person.
Why not give me something else to be concerned about aside from the beverage tax, the beverage fee, the sugary drink tax, and the general excise tax? All on a six-pack of soda.
If this tax (or fee, as it’s sometimes referred to) is implemented, I will give up purchasing sugary drinks. Then the state and county will have to survive without my contributing to their coffers.
Come to think of it, why not impose a fee (tax?) on all products containing sugar? Not just drinks.
Michael L. Last
Naalehu
Quick response
There was a deep pothole on the road adjacent to the Hilo Airport Post Office.
I reported it to the Highways Division in the county’s Department of Public Works on a Monday. It was fixed by the following Saturday.
I was impressed and pleased with the prompt response. Thank you!
T. Spinola-Campbell
Hilo
Better police report
What does a dozen police cars racing down the highway, an accident that blocked traffic on a two-lane road, and snow on a downtown Hilo street have in common?
The public did not know about it.
Let’s replace (or supplement), the Tribune-Herald’s Big Island Report, and have a true police report listing important incidents on the Big Island in detail.
In a recent Big Island Report, of 35 listings of “Citizens Arrested and Charged,” 19 were shaming people for “contempt of court” or “failure to appear” or “violating” an order. This reporting is not of any interest to the general public.
More important incidents, such as “terroristic threatening” or “vehicle theft” or “property damage” are mentioned in one line without saying who was involved, when it happened, and where.
A decent police report will provide that information. It will also tell the community about other police encounters on the island, both troublesome and humorous.
Let’s bring some light into the everyday activities of our police.
David Lewis
Kurtistown
