07-25-2016, 06:25 AM
"I'm not convinced that any councilor could actually make much difference." - - - kalakoa
I agree, kalakoa. The cards seem to be stacked, don't they? What I do expect, however, is for my council rep to at least try to do something substantial. Did Ilagan introduce legislation for fuel tax sharing or other measures to help with subdivision (or other) roads? No, he did not. Did he introduce legislation to loosen the building permit process to enable more affordable housing to be built? No, he did not. With the notable exception of his GMO vote, Ilagan has taken the path of least resistance on every issue. Like you say, we have serious issues with roads, water, and wastewater, but he wants to tout a bus line and park that were mainly advanced by others and not a high priority for many.
And the "mind of its own" that you refer to in relation to park spending is the mind of the good old boy network of contractors, unions, and their supporting politicians who see parks as the low hanging fruit of public works. You get to feather your friends' nests with overpriced, insider dominated contracting while providing a benign project few will object to. After all, what sort of callous person would oppose a new park for the keiki?
Edited to add: Just noticed in today's Hilo newspaper that Ilagan has been endorsed by the Hawaii Island Contractor's Association. Why am I not surprised?
I agree, kalakoa. The cards seem to be stacked, don't they? What I do expect, however, is for my council rep to at least try to do something substantial. Did Ilagan introduce legislation for fuel tax sharing or other measures to help with subdivision (or other) roads? No, he did not. Did he introduce legislation to loosen the building permit process to enable more affordable housing to be built? No, he did not. With the notable exception of his GMO vote, Ilagan has taken the path of least resistance on every issue. Like you say, we have serious issues with roads, water, and wastewater, but he wants to tout a bus line and park that were mainly advanced by others and not a high priority for many.
And the "mind of its own" that you refer to in relation to park spending is the mind of the good old boy network of contractors, unions, and their supporting politicians who see parks as the low hanging fruit of public works. You get to feather your friends' nests with overpriced, insider dominated contracting while providing a benign project few will object to. After all, what sort of callous person would oppose a new park for the keiki?
Edited to add: Just noticed in today's Hilo newspaper that Ilagan has been endorsed by the Hawaii Island Contractor's Association. Why am I not surprised?