Politics
Politics
It’s time to get
the facts straight
It was quite amusing, to read Mr. Engers (West Hawaii Today May 27) letter to the editor. He blames President Barack Obama for not cooperating with the Republicans and blaming them for all the ills of the country, when really it is all his fault.
It was even more amusing to read, in the same paper on page 3A, the comments from Republican Bob Dole that the GOP should be “closed for repairs” and that he is disturbed by his party’s obstructionist behavior on Capitol Hill.
Just for the record: I am nonpartisan, but some people really need to get their facts straight instead of having tunnel vision.
Christa Wagner
Kona
Tax hikes
County should live within its means
A recent article in West Hawaii Today stated that “a majority of councilmembers contacted last week indicated that they’re inclined to support raising tax rates.” These include a 10 percent property tax rate increase proposed by the mayor. The proposed increase follows “a parade of county department heads last month pleading poor before the County Council.”
I spent 23 years in county government in California, many of which involved balancing tight budgets. For many of those years raising property taxes was not an option because voters passed an initiative prohibiting it. Among other things, voters in California were sick and tired of watching homeowners on fixed incomes being tossed out of their homes because they couldn’t pay their taxes.
Every year, I watched county department heads parade before elected officials moaning and groaning about needing more financial resources. Life as we know it would come to an end if more funds were not granted. This never happened.
According to the article, the proposed increase in revenue will be used for, among other things, adding 28 employees and salary increases.
One of the challenges of working in county government should be using the limited financial resources wisely. Expanding the size of government by adding more staff when resources are scarce is simply irresponsible. One of the essential qualities of department heads is the ability to “make do with less.” Whining to elected officials is not one of these qualities.
Councilmembers please do not vote for these increases.
Dennis Brown
Waimea