Sewer fees go up, but not worth it
The bill to increase the cost of the sewer fees is out of line. Ever since Mayor Harry Kim has been in office the cost of living has been increasing. While the mayor got a big salary increase from the Salary Commission, of which most of the members he appointed, the people on Social Security get small increases.
Now the property owners in the Lona Kona Sewer District and other sewer districts are going to be told to pay greater monthly connection fees so the county can have 10 more county facility maintenance workers and the mayor will have more money to use in other unnamed projects.
These Lona Kona owners are also asked to pay for a 35-year loan to help pay for the cost of a sewer installation. The owners also need to pay for the cost to connect their buildings to the sewer. The initial connection costs of the buildings to connect have escalated, for the project was approved by the county in 2015 and it is now being done in 2019. Other than possibly helping with the environment, the project is only of direct benefit to the small number of owners who are paying fines to the EPA due to the number of units on their property putting sewage into the ground.
If these projects are to benefit the environment, then the cost should not be paid only by the property owners, for the project is of no direct benefit to them. This sewer project is a financial penalty to the property owners in the district. The sewer costs are like property taxes charged in a discriminatory manner.
Michael Wilson
South Kona
Anti-gun logic needs better aim
WHT regularly prints letters on the derogative side of issues having to do with guns. What is needed above all are gun ranges where one can be taught the proper handling and shooting of fire arms. Has anyone an inkling as to how many guns are laying around in homes in Hawaii? Guns that the owners have no real knowledge as to their operation except to pull its trigger?
Anyway here are some thoughts as to guns:
A gun is like a parachute. If you need one and don’t have one, you’ll probably never need one again.
Guns kill people? I guess spoons make you fat, too.
Participating in a gun buy-back program because you think criminals have too many guns is like having yourself castrated because you think your neighbors have too many kids.
Thank you and have a safe day.
Hugo von Platen Luder
Holualoa