Road maintenance
Getting your driver’s license is a right of passage for teenagers. Many teenagers take driver’s education, and I am one of them.
I recently started learning how to drive and noticed that some of the lines on the roads are dull, unnoticeable and very rugged, as well. Especially at night, it’s really hard to tell where the shoulder line is.
I feel uncomfortable and unsafe while driving. Therefore, I feel that the road maintenance should be more consistent.
Other young drivers who are starting and learning how to drive may be unfamiliar with roads, as well. Not only are young drivers at risk with these roads, but adults are affected, too. Accidents can occur at a higher rate because lines aren’t clear enough. This may cause drivers to feel unsafe and apprehensive because of poor road maintenance.
However, if road maintenance becomes more consistent, drivers will feel the exact opposite, since they can see where they are going easier. Even pedestrians will feel more at ease while crossing the street or walking, because they’ll notice that the car can see where they’re going.
In conclusion, I feel road maintenance is a huge problem that our community should think about improving. One way that we could fix this issue is by setting up meetings and seeing where the most work is needed and where the least work is needed. Then, after we look at that, we can plan when we’ll proceed and just continue to do it more often.
After the roads are fixed, drivers will feel more comfortable, and the Big Island will have a safer driving environment.
Bianca Ng
Hilo
‘Makes no sense’
This stupid situation in Congress regarding continuing budget resolutions and shutting down the government is patently irresponsible and a ridiculous waste of taxpayer money.
Contract awards are delayed, planning is hindered, hiring freezes inhibit economical staffing, etc.
Government employees who are furloughed with a shutdown wind up getting extra paid leave because, to my knowledge, they don’t lose any pay. For political and other reasons, legislators always ensure they are fully compensated when they do return to work — experiencing only a delay in receiving their money.
Meanwhile, we’ve lost their productivity during the shutdown period. Makes no sense whatsoever.
The current stalemate over border wall funding can be easily resolved by holding President Trump to his repeated promises.
Just get written confirmation from the Mexican government that they will fund construction, as Trump promised during his campaign, and Congress and the American people will have no problem appropriating necessary funds.
After all, his assurances that the wall would be built with pesos was a major reason he got elected!
Neal Herbert
Hilo
