Government work nothing like real world
It’s a heck of a county that we live in today when a man such as Mr. Curt Sharp with “experience in transportation and logistics, including overseeing 500 vehicles and 1,000 staff” and, most likely logistically coordinating thousands of Marines in an orderly manner, is bashed because some yo-yo’s “disagreed that wasn’t ‘substantially equivalent’ to mass transit.”
What pray tell would make Mr. Sharp more qualified for such a job? And again, he’s taken to task for trying to motivate county personnel to work harder (and maybe produce a full day’s work). Then he’s bashed again for his having a blunt, no-nonsense style that hasn’t sat well with some employees (who probably have tenure and can’t be fired anyway).
If those employees don’t like the job just remember that song “Take this job and shove it” and move on. To me, this Mr. Sharp is the sort of man that the private sector would court diligently for themselves for he has already proved his worthiness. But then again, I would venture to guess that, in any case, Mr. Sharp would not be of the type that government would want on their payroll.
As our mayor said, “He’s a tough administrator.” Too tough for the county? This issue obviously has the rank smell of “political correctness.” Only in government do workers have the upper hand over their bosses. Very sad. What is surprising is how the mayor seems to have just sluffed this whole matter off to the circular file.
Hugo von Platen Luder
Holualoa
Water officials don’t have a plan
With another well failure and recently botched repairs, the potable water system is at risk of complete collapse. Given recent history, it is now entirely plausible that North Kona could lose all water supply at any time.
The fact that the Department of Water Supply does not have the recent repair date for their “anchor” well available at a moment’s notice, is all you need to know about how the system is being managed.
This is a huge problem and while the authorities proclaim more “woe is me,” it is apparent they have no idea how to overcome these issues in a timely manner and as a result, they have painted us all into a corner.
A water supply system that is located on the most remote populated island chain in the world cannot accept a status quo that is dependent on spare parts that might be available in half a year. Additionally, agencies that accepted those design criteria engaged in malfeasance and have now put the entire town at risk.
JL Hite
Kailua-Kona