Construction Construction ADVERTISING Could money have been put to better use? As I endure the clamorous, dirty and slow construction of the new St. Michael’s Church makai of my condo complex in town, I can’t help but wonder if all
Construction
Could money have been put to better use?
As I endure the clamorous, dirty and slow construction of the new St. Michael’s Church makai of my condo complex in town, I can’t help but wonder if all of the money and labor going into the project couldn’t have been better used in improving the lot of our less fortunate residents.
As it is, the end result will be a new facility that will provide the congregation with a spiffy new place of worship while inconveniencing the rest of the village by continuing to dump traffic out onto Alii Drive at the close of services. As trite as it may sound, I have to ask, “What would Jesus do?”
At the very least, I would hope that the new building will provide shelter and outreach for the homeless population.
Just the opinion of one agnostic fallen Catholic.
James Manville
Kailua-Kona
Property taxes
Huge exemption questionable
Just read not long ago in your publication that credit unions, among many entities, have a huge property tax exemption, and pay the minimum $100. I am questioning why the huge exemption when a local credit union reportedly paid million dollar bonuses to their officers on top of large six-figure salaries? I fail to see how this serves the membership of the credit union (supposed to be owned by the membership) or the citizens of Hawaii County.
How can I claim this kind of an exemption?
Alan Nakashima
Kailua-Kona
Pedestrians
Flags work well, and cost taxpayers less
We had a unique way of crossing the street with the red banners, but it has been abandoned. Perhaps policemen could have shown the tourists and walkers how to use the flags to stop the cars and let them use the crosswalks. It is widely used in Tokyo, and if the Japanese can use it, why not Hawaiians?
Instead, our tax dollars are paying a team of men and drilling machines to install large poles and flashing lights to halt the cars. I have always found Kona drivers considerate and helpful when I am crossing our streets. We do not need expensive poles to tell them how to behave. Who wanted this large expense?
Let our taxes be used for more urgent needs.
Barbara Lee
Kailua-Kona
