Vacant land should get tax break ADVERTISING Vacant land should get tax break It seems that some council members are so interested in increasing the tax revenues that it clouds their thinking. It is ludicrous to say that the “dedicated
Vacant land should get tax break
It seems that some council members are so interested in increasing the tax revenues that it clouds their thinking. It is ludicrous to say that the “dedicated and non-dedicated” programs cost the Hawaii government $28 million a year. Vacant land is a premium neighbor to any neighborhood. Property covered in forest, especially those with native trees, add untold beauty and pleasure to the traveler on the highway or helicopter, not to mention the owner.
It is “people” who cause expense to government. Vacant land never calls for police services. Vacant land never calls for the fire department to put out a fire that it started on its own. Vacant land never uses our parks, it never demands utilities, it doesn’t give a care who is governor, mayor or even councilperson. The list goes on. However, council members want to encourage farming by penalizing land owners who prefer to leave their land vacant.
Residences house people and yet residences get a “home exemption” tax break to encourage more home ownership, which breeds more people who demand more government services. So the question is, why should vacant land not get a tax break? Is it perceived that land owners are the wealthy who can afford the extra burden?
We all have different values. Some people save their money then take trips abroad and live with the memory. Some people save their money then take a trip to Las Vegas and enjoy the gamble. Others save what they can and invest it in land then get penalized for leaving it vacant, natural, but beautiful. Others who don’t share that value, see those people as deep pockets ready to tap for more funds.
Leningrad Elarionoff, Waimea
Courthouse design ugly, embarrassing
It looks like the prospective Kona Judiciary Complex is due to proceed with our $90 million tax money using that horribly designed structure as shown on the front page of the April 30 paper. Of course, you do not list the name of the architectural designer in the article. Maybe he is hiding in the forest up on the mountain. If he were made known, we certainly would not use him to design anything with our own hard-earned cash.
We residents are otherwise very proud of our island, but it is embarrassing to show the world how we are going to spend our hard-earned tax money. I sincerely hope that he has at least designed the interior in a more acceptable manner, but I wonder.
Living in Hawaii is an expensive life, but we should at least proudly build attractive new state and county buildings. This boring designed Judiciary complex is a shamefully ugly looking structure. Just because construction is so expensive here is no reason to build such dull-looking, cheap civic constructions. After all, buildings of this nature should reflect what we are all about.
I wonder who or what group will be responsible for accepting or rejecting this proposed structure. It is our money they are playing with, and we should let them know where we stand with expenses like this.
Bob Paddock, Kailua-Kona
U.S. a republic, not democracy
This letter is in response to Kerrill J. Kephart’s letter “Protesters’ arguments are too weak to block building TMT” in West Hawaii Today on April 29.
The United States is not a democracy in which the majority rules. It is a republic form of government under a written constitution which safeguards the rights of “individuals” and the “minority” against the unlimited power of the “majority.” We pledge allegiance to the flag and to the “Republic” and not to the “Democracy” for which it stands.
The current case of same-sex marriage before the Supreme Court could be decided by a single person (in a 5-4 decision) which would make the decision the “law of the land.” Imagine the power of a single person.
Burton Y. Ito, Kealakekua
Build telescope, we gave our word
Having lived on the Big Island for more than 32 years, I have a great love for Hawaii. The aloha shown to me has made me feel welcome here.
That being said, our spineless government bodies and individuals have turned a blind eye to their responsibility to uphold their decision to build another telescope. What happened to due process?
I know people who have invested great amounts of time and money into this project. Do they have time to site at a door to be heard?
The telescope must be built — the citizens of Hawaii gave their word. It is up to our weak government to keep its and our integrity. Build it.
Steve Snyder, Kalaoa
