Trump vs. democracy
Make no mistake: We are living through an attempted coup by Donald Trump over the presidency of the United States.
Backed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the silence of the vast majority of Republican senators and House representatives, Trump is attempting to overthrow the results of a fair, democratic election in which he clearly lost.
Democracy is at stake here. Remember those Republicans who, unlike Mitt Romney, lacked the personal integrity to buck the cult-like dictates of Trump and stood by as a wanna-be authoritarian attempted to reverse the will of the American people. Remember those names.
Remember how they tried to reverse what every veteran who died with the American flag on their uniform fought for — a democracy where elections decided the winner, not desperate legal maneuvers by a lame-duck president
Mark Van Doren
Kurtistown
Support for Rodenhurst
When I read some people (I never figured out who they were) were critical of incumbent Mayor Mitch Roth’s pick of Ikaika Rodenhurst for director of public works because he had a business background, I thought it must be someone from Puna who wants Puna to stay the same as it was 30, 20, 10 years ago.
Who would you pick? Someone without a business background who could run it like the bus system was run, or maybe the way solid waste is managed (the personnel at the dump are wonderful, as are the ladies in the office). I called to speak to a manager about changes at the dump at least 12 or 13 times, and I have never had a return call.
Or maybe from former Mayor Harry Kim’s administration? I attempted to see him four times in three years (officially, I filled out the proper paperwork), and I never got into talk with him. He governed an island of 200,000 or so? Give me a break.
I know Ikaika personally and think he is a wonderful candidate to run that department. Further, I am glad that someone who knows how to run an important office (prosecutor) is in charge of the Big Island instead, of someone who is more interested in his legacy (Kim).
Michael Quay
Pahoa
It’s Ige’s fault
Why has the Ethics Board now brought up the subject matter about former Mayor Harry Kim, regarding the handling of the Thirty Meter Telescope issue?
Why was it not brought up earlier during Kim’s term?
Seems Gov. Ige had passed the buck to Kim, and yet this was and still is a state matter, not a county one.
I believe Kim accepted the responsibility handed to him, with reservations, but under duress. I think the Ethics Board should put the blame on Ige instead.
“Harry, if you want to continue receiving state funding for your various county projects, you shall take over the mauna situation.” Is this what we are led to believe?
Who will Gov. Ige pass the TMT buck to next, Mayor Roth?
Rick LaMontagne
Hilo