Substitute teachers should unionize
Anyone who has ever substituted for another teacher's class knows how difficult a job it is. It demands a high degree of competence in all teaching skills. Our schools could not operate effectively if it were not for these teachers.Because the Department of Education has treated them so shabbily (cutting their pay by 6 percent while raising other teachers' pay 4 percent), substitutes are asking for the authority to unionize. As a result, the House Labor and Education committees passed House Bill 121 unanimously after amending it to clarify that it would create a collective-bargaining unit only for substitutes.
The Legislature should pass this bill, and the governor should sign it. Anything less would be unfair and a serious rebuke to those hard-working substitute teachers.
Honolulu
Krentzman was devoted to children
I'd like to mark the passing of Ed Krentzman, who devoted the last seven years of his life as a volunteer at Waialae Elementary School (Star-Bulletin, Feb. 11). Ed co-founded FELLOWS -- Fellowship Education Lifelong Learning Opportunities With Seniors. I signed up for FELLOWS after seeing an article about him in this newspaper, and was always impressed with his dedication and low-key style.Krentzman had a big heart. He spent so much time at Waialae school that he set up a small center and office that was always stocked with Oreo cookies and board games for the children to enjoy during breaks.
Although quite a bit has been written about the sad state of our public schools, there are too few of us outside of the educational community who actually do something about it. Ed wanted to make things better and worked tirelessly in the trenches. Though honored as a volunteer, he never craved publicity or expected accolades. The memory of this quiet gentleman, a former salesman and Marine Corps veteran who had found his true calling working with kids, deserves to be honored. "Semper Fidelis" is an appropriate way to describe his commitment to his beloved students.
Wilhelmina Rise
Daiei is also a friendly place to shop
The Feb. 4 story about Daiei said the store is popular for its Asian goods and low prices. Yes, but the story left out how courteous Daiei employees are to their customers.
Honolulu
Lawmakers bravely protect dogs and cats
I would like to applaud our legislators for finally getting their priorities straight. In their heroic move to ban the eating of dogs and cats (Star-Bulletin, Feb. 11), they have touched a critical, cultural nerve in the community. Certainly their insightful and forward-looking proposal makes issues such as our rotting infrastructure, inexcusable road conditions, increasing traffic congestion and collapsing school roofs pale by comparison.By the way, we have had a lovely cat from the Humane Society for about eight years. Fortunately for us, he is an indoor cat and is never let out. And we have never considered eating him. For this year's Po'okela Awards, I nominate the Legislature for an Idiot of the Year award (group category).
Aiea
Bush keeps repeating disastrous plan
Obviously, President Bush intends to "fix" Social Security with the same three-point plan he used to "fix" Iraq, our national parks, forests and wilderness areas:
2. "Liberate" the assets.
3. Leave the next five generations to cope with the consequences after he grins and waves, "That's all, folks!" at the end of "four more years!"
Waikiki
Unions don't control isle Democrats
In her Feb. 6 letter to the editor, Rep. Colleen Meyer complained about the state's "powerful employee unions" and blamed the state's financial woes on the Democrats' control of the Legislature. I worked as a state employee for more than 20 years and saw something different. I remember the year that the state would not budge on its wage offer and we went to binding arbitration. When the arbitrators ruled in the union's favor, the Legislature adjourned without funding the wage increase. If the unions really were all that powerful, that would never have happened.I also remember when the Democrat-controlled Legislature went along with reducing the vacation and sick leave benefits for future state employees, even though the unions opposed it strongly. If the unions had that much clout with legislators, no reduction of benefits would have been enacted. Incidentally, if Meyer, as a state employee, really feels that the state's generosity to its employees is hurting the state, she should introduce legislation reducing her salary. I won't hold my breath for that.
Honolulu
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