Letters 9-6-12

Housing subsidy

Painful realization

I read with interest the story today regarding the capture of an individual in the Lokahi public housing development and the subsequent discovery of a fairly large amount of drugs apparently ready for sale.

Am I the only who sees more than a little irony in the fact my hard-earned money is being used by way of taxes to subsidize an apartment to be used by a drug dealer — who probably makes 10 time the amount of money I make?

I happen to live near this particular development and sometimes it looks like a 24-hour fast food drive- through, as far the amount of traffic coming through, and customers openly doing deals right on the street. I am certain that nine-tenths of the folks living here are very hard-working, honest people just trying to get ahead, but who is holding the other one-tenth accountable? Should it be the on-site management company, the Kona police, the public housing authority?

After I am done working yet another honest 60-hour week, it is painful knowing my tax dollars are helping to pay the rent for somebody who should be in jail — rather than enjoying a cozy subsidized apartment.

S. Goedeck

Kailua-Kona

Feral cats

Cat feeder’s confession

I have read this year’s letters (we go through this every year or so) about the feral cats and am compelled to respond to Ms. Tinker’s letter published on Aug. 27 .

I confess: I am a feeder in Kona. The cats I feed at my office building have all been trapped and neutered by AdvoCATS, and there has not been a litter of kittens born there in years.

I have given sanctuary at my home to — at last count — 45 cats. Most of these poor creatures were dumped off as tiny kittens, some were adults where I feed.

Do you know what it costs to feed and provide medical care for that many cats? A healthy cat can live 12 to 20 years, so this is no small commitment. All were neutered immediately.

Fortunately I am blessed with acreage, but I am not so fortunate in the pocket book; 45 cats is my limit. I stopped bringing these “dumpees” home about three years ago, since I cannot support any more. But, sadly, the humans keep dumping off their unwanted animals.

What is truly amazing and unknown to most of you is there are countless other people, who through the kindness of their hearts, also have taken cats home with them. Many of these people care for even more cats than I do.

How heartless, how cruel, and how irresponsible an act to just drop off a baby animal that is defenseless and innocent?

The humans are the answer to the solution of overpopulation of these poor, hapless creatures. Wake up, people, if you have an animal, get it sterilized.

If you can no longer take care of it, take it to the Hawaii Island Humane Society.

Enough, already; it is our responsibility to practice good stewardship over our environment.

Wally Lucas

Ocean View