No asphalt? Let's vote the bums out!
Imagine the nerve of those nasty oil companies, not producing enough asphalt for road paving (
Star-Bulletin, May 13)!
Don't they know this is an election year? Don't they know most of the paving in the two-year election cycle is done in the six to eight months prior to the election? If there is no asphalt to pave the roads right before the election, how are the voters going to think the politicians are doing something?
Why, they might even vote for someone who isn't an incumbent!
William Georgi
Kalaheo, Kauai
Nuuanu residents have real concerns
The
May 11 article about the development in upper Nuuanu clearly illustrates the frustration that communities will face when dealing with the Department of Planning and Permitting and a well-funded developer.
On one hand you have the city planning department that acts autonomous and refuses to clarify legitimate concerns of the residents.
On the other hand, you have a developer who hides behind the cloak of a limited liability corporation shielding his assets from huge liabilities if his development causes the hillside to shift, which has occurred previously in Manoa Valley. These are two of the many issues that should alarm all citizens.
In the article, the attorney for Laumaka LLC, David Rosen, proclaims that Patrick Shin is only an agent for the company and is not even the manager. If not the manager, what is his position? On forms filed with the state Ethics Commission by Laumaka's lobbyist, it clearly states that Shin is the one responsible for the financial statements and authorizing the use of a registered lobbyist.
Nuuanu residents are scared of the massive boulders that could break free, threatening life and limb. The community seeks honest government and the illumination of their concerns.
Mark Guerin
Honolulu
Why did planning chief change his mind?
What made Henry Eng, director of the Planning and Permitting Department, change his support of the planning and zoning proposals before the Charter Commission at the May 10 meeting?
I was one of the many who counted on the director's testimony -- his most recent being in late March -- in support of measures to stop urban sprawl via proposals establishing urban growth boundaries and targeting City Council ala "the super majority" vote for specified zone changes.
How is it possible that in the final stretch of deliberating the fate of all the planning and zoning proposals before the Charter Commission for the November 2006 ballot, Mr. Eng changes his mind not once but for each and every planning and zoning proposal?
What does this say about our leadership and the future growth of our fragile island?
Evangeline Yacuk
Honolulu
Troops, fences make lousy border policy
Now, let me see if I have this right. We are going to use National Guard troops who are overextended and who have left a lot of their military equipment in Iraq; with the feds picking up the tab for two-week rotations. We are planning to build 300 miles of triple-layered fencing and 500 miles of vehicle barriers (wonder where we can get cheap labor?); we are facing a threat of legal actions by the Mexican government if Guard members are involved in enforcement activities; we are going to institute a "path to citizenship" (read as amnesty for 11 million illegal immigrants already "in country," which ticks off potential immigrants who have been waiting, in some instances for years); and President Bush has called to increase the Border Patrol officers by 6,000 by 2008.
The Posse Comitatus Act forbids federal use of military personnel, including the National Guard, from acting in a law enforcement capacity ... except where expressly authorized by the Constitution or Congress ... hmmmm).
Hey, I have an idea. Let's make Mexico our 51st state. We get a cheap labor force, do away with immigration problems, have access to their oil and beautiful beaches and we can put an entertainment tax on Tijuana.
Jerry B. Norris
Manoa
Remember the fallen with online memorial
I read your
May 14 article regarding the death of one of our servicemen with great interest. It was well written and shows how each family and community is affected by this tragedy.
Your readers would benefit from the knowledge there is an alternative to honoring a fallen soldier fighting on foreign soil in defense of our country. The honor could pertain to this war or any conflict from the past.
The National Memorial Registry (www.NationalMemorialRegistry.com) offers, free of any charge, the opportunity for any individual to dedicate a memorial to a loved one. The memorial can be personalized to select a specific location, site or address to include with the dedication. Every memorial dedication is displayed on our secure maps for the world to view.
The National Memorial Registry is a source for:
» free online memorial dedications;
» display of memorials on our world wide maps;
» regulations and news on public display of memorials.
Please let your readers know about this alternative way to honor our heroes.
Robert Sergent
President/CEO
National Memorial Registry
Spring, Texas
Congress should repeal War Powers Act
You don't have to be a general to know that something is wrong in Iraq. After more than three years, the United States has not been able to subdue a Third World country with no army, navy or air force. It is not surprising when you consider that the invasion was instigated by war evaders and draft dodgers with no concept of war.
When Congress regains its self-respect, it should repeal the War Powers Act. It has been misused by presidents in Vietnam, Lebanon, Somalia and Iraq. The fighting in these Third World countries have resulted in humiliation for the United States.
Alfonso L. Largo
Waipahu