05-15-2014, 04:00 PM
quote:(Bold by me) With all due respect, snorkel, if that is indeed Mr. Walter's position (bold portion re: leases), his protecting farmers is "short sighted"? I respectfully disagree.
Originally posted by snorkle
Mr. Walter may be honorable, but he is also short sighted. What if he took a more proactive position and became the hero instead of the villain?
Develop a private toll road from HPP to Hilo that would also act as an emergency escape route.
He has stated in the past that it wouldn't work because it would make his Agricultural leases vulnerable to theft/vandalism. It would be easy with modern technology to control and monitor access to minimize this problem. Install time stamped cameras at each end and maybe close it altogether after hours.
He could include retail/gas/entertainment areas to suppliant the toll income.
There are 10,000 potential customers, with more coming, that would buy toll passes to expedite their commute and make Puna safer.
For your information, Mr. Walter is a Shipman, and holds the charge of his family position and commitment to the community. I do not believe he takes that assignment lightly.
To insinuate that he is a "villain" is inaccurate (first bold). There are many people who fit that description in our community. Mr. Walter is not one of them. Until one of us has walked in his shoes, it seems petty to make such statements, given his responsibilities, of which none of us are aware of.
The key is to work with Shipman and the resources that may be available to them due to their holdings. To vilify Shipman (and/or their representatives) is counterproductive to the mutual goals we all strive to achieve.
Shipman has been a pillar of this community for generations as you all know. Longer than most of us have been alive. It it merely a strong suggestion that middle ground is found, and the alternate route for Puna becomes a reality in our lifetime.
Dr. Weatherford, mahalo for your comment. Coming from you, it is indeed humbling. Thank you for your dedication to this effort, among many others, as a resident of Puna. I hold fond aloha for you and your lovely wife. Kiss her for me, please. (Sorry, OT)
JMO.