How about $7 million for that?
Let me say up front that I am struggling with the issue I am presenting. The county proposes using roughly $7 million of new tax revenue on a relatively expansive program for the homeless. In a world of unlimited funding, I support this as a compassionate thing to do. But funding is not unlimited and my strong suspicion is that this will not help much, and that in the end we will still have a significant homeless population.
I understand we have working families struggling to make ends meet due to increased gas prices. Help for this problem costs roughly $7 million, yet it is rejected. I think I found your $7 million. We have cesspools polluting our near shore waters, yet we have only recently found the $1.5 million needed to begin planning to fix this. How far would $7 million annually go toward fixing this? We have a waste treatment facility that needs money for upgrades that could lessen the islands need to pump precious water from the aquifer. What about $7 million annually for that?
My development is large and yet has only one major exit. Last year’s fire showed we need a new exit for safety purposes. There are thousands of people in this development. How about $7 million for that? We are told our roads are in need of upgrades and repaving. What about $7 million annually for that? Schools could certainly make good use of an added $7 million? All of these benefit the greater community and/or preserve our environment. I am not proposing building condos. I struggle with this. Is $7 million annually on homeless programs the wisest use of this new tax revenue?
Kevin Sweeney
Waikoloa
^
An important national lesson
An April 21 editorial calls on us to remember the lives lost to the pandemic. More so let us remember the lessons we should learn from the loss of one million of our fellow citizens. The unvaccinated — the many who did not have to die except for the ignorance and disinformation spread by a discredited president, his political party and fellow travelers.
We need to see how the distrust of our broken government can lead to even greater disasters in the future. How our legal system has weakened the community in favor of individual fetishism. American culture centers on money and greed. While our political system thanks to institutions such as the U.S. Senate concentrates more power into smaller voter populations and a Supreme Court majority appointed by presidents who did not receive a majority of votes.
Government by a minority of voters over the majority cannot stand forever. Lincoln warned us of this in 1860. Yes, I am sorry for those who have lost loved ones to the pandemic but don’t forget the great opportunity for an important national lesson for us here.
William F. Johnston
Kailua-Kona
^
Tell us about it
Do you have a story idea or news tip? Is there a community problem that has not been addressed? Do you know someone unique, whose story should be shared and enjoyed with the rest of the community? We want to know.
Call the West Hawaii Today newsroom at (808) 930-8600 or email news@westhawaiitoday.com and share the information with our readers.
It’s our community — and we care.
Letters policy
Letters to the editor should be 300 words or less and will be edited for style and grammar. Longer viewpoint guest columns may not exceed 800 words. Submit online at https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/letter-to-the-editor/ or email or address letters to:
Editor
West Hawaii Today
PO Box 789
Kailua-Kona, HI 96745
Email: letters@westhawaiitoday.com