Van Pernis deserves thanks
As a well-known gadfly who does her homework and only speaks the truth, I find it personally offensive that our new mayor would try to remove Mark Van Pernis, a much more well-known gadfly than I am, from his appointed and confirmed position as a Leeward Planning Commissioner.
It is because few people ask tough questions that we face both wastewater and highway infrastructure nightmares county-wide, but especially in Kona.
In his role as a Leeward Planning commissioner, Mr. Van Pernis has just been protecting the fragile coastal environment as well as trying to keep the area drive-able.
Since Kona is stuck with the biggest share of the county taxes, wouldn’t you think Kona Council members would appreciate a gadfly who demands that Kona should not have to also bear the costs of unbounded development?
Further, Van Pernis is persevering in spite of his disabilities, freely giving county citizens the bounty reaped from his years in real estate law.
Van Pernis deserves a thank you for his time and service instead of this stab in the back.
Sandra Demoruelle
Naalehu
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You just might live a little longer
I’m sure down through the ages many people have died because their God-given immune system failed to work even though many of these people were religious and prayed that they would be cured.
Thankfully, we mere mortals were provided a God-given brain to be able to overcome some of the obstacles that Mother Nature has thrown our way. Without that, one has to wonder what the world would be like if we did not have man-made vaccines to eliminate many killers such as polio, small pox, hepatitis, mumps, yellow fever and measles to name just a few. With this in mind, don’t forget to get your flu shot to boost your God-given immune system. You just might live a little longer.
Ted Johnson
Kailua-Kona
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Ease guidelines for vaccinated individuals
Please, Gov. David Ige pay attention to what’s happening in the real world with helping get people vaccinated. The better-informed communities have lifted many requirements on people who have been vaccinated, allowing us to enjoy almost all outdoor and even some indoor activities. If you don’t have a “vax card,” just be prepared to wear a mask and you can join in the very same activities. No discrimination, no prohibitions.
Ige is apparently worried there is no way to ask if someone has been vaccinated. Is this like saying there is no way for the authorities to tell if you are legally driving your car or are old enough to buy a drink, so no one can drive or get a beer? Maybe on rare occasions someone will have to ask to see a driver’s license or ID — or a “vax card”? Or is that too complicated for leadership to grasp? Letting vaccinated people do more things is a good way to encourage more people to get vaccinated. Isn’t this what a good governor would want to do?
Arne Werchick
Kailua-Kona
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People with guns kill people
In response to “Stay away from the Second Amendment,” I can thank Mr. Bob Johnson for his April 22 emotionally laden reaction to my April 19 letter. His reaction clarifies the issue: voters enable money to stay in politics. People keep right on falling for corporate and Republican claims that regulation is government infringement of Constitutional rights. It’s a clever ruse, which ensures maximum profits for them; while lack of regulation kills their own voters.
The NRA and its politicians have Mr. Johnson and fearful gun owners right where they want them. They’ve swallowed the myth of an absolute right to “bear arms” without any limitations or guidelines. That’s the propaganda that fuels black market gun sales and militia groups storming the Capitol. Although the Second Amendment does grant responsible citizens the right to own a gun for self-defense or hunting, all rights are regulated according to the rule of law under our Constitution. Regulations serve to protect the rights of the innocent.
Mr. Johnson dutifully repeats the gun manufacturers’ mantra: “guns don’t kill people” (which dismisses corporate liability when people are killed). People who OWN guns kill people. That’s why regulation monitors the people who are choosing to buy an object whose sole functionality is to kill another living being.
If Mr. Johnson and others have been listening to NRA and right-wing hype, they’ll refuse to believe there’s precedent legality or constructive purpose in gun regulation (or any regulation) because they’re convinced it’s all about their uninhibited “rights” (never mind anyone else’s). That attitude illustrates why changes won’t occur as long as there are voters who choose to be complicit in allowing the greed of oil, pharma or gun manufacturers to successfully and harmfully influence our politics.
Martha Hodges
Kailua-Kona
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