The following was posted on Trump's website 12/27/2016
Dear Mr. President-Elect,
You recently made the following statement, which is quoted below.
Statement from President-Elect Donald J. Trump
(Palm Beach, FL) — “The resolution being considered at the United Nations Security Council regarding Israel should be vetoed."
“As the United States has long maintained, peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians will only come through direct negotiations between the parties, and not through the imposition of terms by the United Nations."
“This puts Israel in a very poor negotiating position and is extremely unfair to all Israelis.”
With all due respect, the Palestinians have been, all along, in a very poor, and unequal bargaining position. Hitler killed my father, but I do not abuse other people because of it, and neither should the Israelis. In my opinion, Israel is maintaining the largest concentration camp in history, called the territories of the occupied Palestinian people.
As a taxpayer I am not too happy that our US Government sponsors, with our tax money, this oppressive regime; let us remember two wrongs do not make a right. All the while the Israelis cry about what Nazi-Germany did to them, they are not acting much better; people are dying as a direct result of their cruel blockade, and imposed restrictions, of many kind.
For me to support Israel, they must show first a sign of humanity, and stop stealing more land from the Palestinian people, and return the stolen property to their rightful owners. They whole world sees Israel for what it really is, but our US Government has been turning a blind eye for a very long time. Just because occupied people resist in a token way; we should condemn their resistance against the oppressor? I am certain, if anyone would occupy your home by force, you would certainly fight back, in any way, you can, and so would I.
I do not care too much for our current Government, but to allow this resolution to pass was the right thing to do, and was long overdue. We Americans pride ourselves in our ability to own property, and defend what belongs to us, against anyone bent on taking what is ours. Likewise, we must respect other people’s property rights the same way we expect ours to be respected and protected.
Regards,
Frank J. Maier
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Monday, December 19, 2016
Communication With President-Elect Trump
Dear Pesident-Elect,
I am writing to you this open letter, which will be published, in my Blog,
http://frankjm-socialconcerns.blogspot.com/
Today I received my annual letter from the Social Security, informing me that my "...benefits will increase by 0.3% in 2017 because of the rise in the cost of living." What kind of a choke is that? On which planet did the cost of living increase by only 0.3%? To make this letter even more ridiculous, the 0.3% increase was totally consumed by an increase in my Medicare premium, which is deducted from my Social Security payment. As a net result, I go exactly zero (0) increase from my current 2016 payment, for 2017. In other words, my monthly payment for 2017 will be the same as it is for 2016. Our Social Security program would not be in such a bad shape had the Federal Government not robbed the fund over a period of many years, leaving only ‘IOU’s’ behind, with no intention to ever repay the debt to us, the people who paid those FICA taxes, with every reduced pay check.
I would like to see the rich live on such a ridiculous low monthly income; they probably spend more for one family dinner, in a fancy restaurant, then we have to live on for the whole month. It is my sincere hope that you will correct this gross injustice; America will never be great again, until folks like me, get their fair share of return for all the social security taxes, we were forced to pay, all our working lives.
There is talk right now that somebody is already planning to screw the people some more relative to the future social security payments. If the Government wants to see people rioting in the streets without end, then just continue this trend of treating the working class this way. It is the working class that enables the rich to get richer; it is they who build their homes, hotels, casinos, factories, golf courses, etc, etc.
I am sure I do not have to tell you that the rich increased their incomes/wealth by a factor of 1000, while the working class is going in the wrong direction. Working people are now earning, in real income/purchasing power, less then they were earning in the sixties. Please refer to
http://inequality.org/income-inequality/ for a better visual of what I am talking about.
Let us see after you occupy the Oval Office, if you are really with us; show us some positive changes for the working and retired people, for a change. Obama is an easy act to follow, because he did nothing in this area of may concern. Yes, I wrote to him about this particular issue, and many others for that matter and I am sure so have others; I was simply ignored.
When America was great, retired folks earned decent interest on their savings, to augment their Social Security, and pension incomes, and yes they were part of the economic force that made America great. While I appreciate you giving corporations a major tax break to induce them to invest in America, let us not forget, the major economic force is not the large corporation, but the many small businesses, who employ the majority of American workers. Having said that, I do acknowledge the importance of large scale manufacturing, as being a necessary part of the job creation equation. In the end, it takes consumers, with money, to create demand for manufactured goods. When people barely can afford to eat cheap and fattening food, perhaps only one pair of jeans, then the economic engine is severely sputtering, at best. It takes every American to make this work. When we deprive the population of just wages, then with what money are they buying the essentials of life, and spend money on manufactured items, to ensure large factories are save places to work for, helping to raise the next generation of worker bees, so to speak. Let us not kill the Goose that laid the golden egg.
Thank you,
Frank Maier
I am writing to you this open letter, which will be published, in my Blog,
http://frankjm-socialconcerns.blogspot.com/
Today I received my annual letter from the Social Security, informing me that my "...benefits will increase by 0.3% in 2017 because of the rise in the cost of living." What kind of a choke is that? On which planet did the cost of living increase by only 0.3%? To make this letter even more ridiculous, the 0.3% increase was totally consumed by an increase in my Medicare premium, which is deducted from my Social Security payment. As a net result, I go exactly zero (0) increase from my current 2016 payment, for 2017. In other words, my monthly payment for 2017 will be the same as it is for 2016. Our Social Security program would not be in such a bad shape had the Federal Government not robbed the fund over a period of many years, leaving only ‘IOU’s’ behind, with no intention to ever repay the debt to us, the people who paid those FICA taxes, with every reduced pay check.
I would like to see the rich live on such a ridiculous low monthly income; they probably spend more for one family dinner, in a fancy restaurant, then we have to live on for the whole month. It is my sincere hope that you will correct this gross injustice; America will never be great again, until folks like me, get their fair share of return for all the social security taxes, we were forced to pay, all our working lives.
There is talk right now that somebody is already planning to screw the people some more relative to the future social security payments. If the Government wants to see people rioting in the streets without end, then just continue this trend of treating the working class this way. It is the working class that enables the rich to get richer; it is they who build their homes, hotels, casinos, factories, golf courses, etc, etc.
I am sure I do not have to tell you that the rich increased their incomes/wealth by a factor of 1000, while the working class is going in the wrong direction. Working people are now earning, in real income/purchasing power, less then they were earning in the sixties. Please refer to
http://inequality.org/income-inequality/ for a better visual of what I am talking about.
Let us see after you occupy the Oval Office, if you are really with us; show us some positive changes for the working and retired people, for a change. Obama is an easy act to follow, because he did nothing in this area of may concern. Yes, I wrote to him about this particular issue, and many others for that matter and I am sure so have others; I was simply ignored.
When America was great, retired folks earned decent interest on their savings, to augment their Social Security, and pension incomes, and yes they were part of the economic force that made America great. While I appreciate you giving corporations a major tax break to induce them to invest in America, let us not forget, the major economic force is not the large corporation, but the many small businesses, who employ the majority of American workers. Having said that, I do acknowledge the importance of large scale manufacturing, as being a necessary part of the job creation equation. In the end, it takes consumers, with money, to create demand for manufactured goods. When people barely can afford to eat cheap and fattening food, perhaps only one pair of jeans, then the economic engine is severely sputtering, at best. It takes every American to make this work. When we deprive the population of just wages, then with what money are they buying the essentials of life, and spend money on manufactured items, to ensure large factories are save places to work for, helping to raise the next generation of worker bees, so to speak. Let us not kill the Goose that laid the golden egg.
Thank you,
Frank Maier
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Communication with Pesident Obama - January 2014
Below find a typical message (one of many between 2011 and 2014) posted on the White House site in 2014, trying to get justice for people who try to augment their retirement income with interest from their savings accounts. Towards the end read the response from President Obama; he either did not read my message, or did not understand it; he never addressed my concern, hence nothing was promised, and nothing was done. This was the standard outcome of every issue I brought to his attention; many times I did not even get a response. I used to like this guy.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frank Maier
Mon 1/20/2014, 3:43 PMFrank Maier (monfranz2@yahoo.com)
The following was sent to the President, on the requested site:
"Dear Mr. President,
How can we in a free society be indirectly forced to give our money to banks, for literally no interest to speak of, while banks, like Bank of America, post the biggest profits in their history? Please see the quote below, by BA's Bruce Thompson.
"We enter this year with one of the strongest balance sheets in our company's history," said the bank's chief financial officer, Bruce Thompson."
The Government is clearly on the side of the banks, against the fairness, which demands reasonable returns for our deposits. The stock market is way too volatile, and therefore, the banks are the only other option. Inflation is much higher than the little interest we earn. If you think that this situation is just, then you have a distorted view of moral decency; I hope, this does not apply to you. This situation needs to be addressed by the Government, because we, the people, are here in an unequal bargaining position.
The banks hit the little guys very hard, through fraud, etc., and nobody went to jail that I know of, and the banks are defrauding the public still to this day, by taking our money for next to nothing, and charging high interest rates and fees to those who take out loans.
If we would put more interest earnings into the hands of account holders, instead of allowing the current situation, then our economy would recover faster, because more spending money would be available to the consumers. It is that simple.
I need to hear from you.
Thank you,
Frank Maier"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The White House Auto-Response Message
Wed 9/18/2013, 3:50 PM
The White House Washington
Dear Frank:
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. I have heard from many Americans who are worried about the future of their retirement savings, and I appreciate your perspective.
Retiring with dignity is a promise we must keep to all Americans, and I am working hard to strengthen our retirement system. That is why I am committed to protecting Social Security and addressing Americans’ concerns. Social Security cannot be subjected to risky privatization plans because the future of hard-working Americans should not be left to the fluctuations of financial markets.
To better secure their retirement and prepare for unforeseen circumstances, Americans must also save for their future in other ways. We are laying the foundation for all individuals to participate in workplace retirement accounts. Employees would be automatically enrolled in pension plans and could opt out if they choose. Simple and automatic enrollment makes it easier for people to plan for retirement. This would assist the 75 million working Americans—about half the workforce—who lack access to retirement plans through their employers. Please join me online to learn more at www.WhiteHouse.gov/Issues/Seniors-And-Social-Security.
Thank you, again, for writing.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frank Maier
Mon 1/20/2014, 3:43 PMFrank Maier (monfranz2@yahoo.com)
The following was sent to the President, on the requested site:
"Dear Mr. President,
How can we in a free society be indirectly forced to give our money to banks, for literally no interest to speak of, while banks, like Bank of America, post the biggest profits in their history? Please see the quote below, by BA's Bruce Thompson.
"We enter this year with one of the strongest balance sheets in our company's history," said the bank's chief financial officer, Bruce Thompson."
The Government is clearly on the side of the banks, against the fairness, which demands reasonable returns for our deposits. The stock market is way too volatile, and therefore, the banks are the only other option. Inflation is much higher than the little interest we earn. If you think that this situation is just, then you have a distorted view of moral decency; I hope, this does not apply to you. This situation needs to be addressed by the Government, because we, the people, are here in an unequal bargaining position.
The banks hit the little guys very hard, through fraud, etc., and nobody went to jail that I know of, and the banks are defrauding the public still to this day, by taking our money for next to nothing, and charging high interest rates and fees to those who take out loans.
If we would put more interest earnings into the hands of account holders, instead of allowing the current situation, then our economy would recover faster, because more spending money would be available to the consumers. It is that simple.
I need to hear from you.
Thank you,
Frank Maier"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The White House Auto-Response Message
Wed 9/18/2013, 3:50 PM
The White House Washington
Dear Frank:
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. I have heard from many Americans who are worried about the future of their retirement savings, and I appreciate your perspective.
Retiring with dignity is a promise we must keep to all Americans, and I am working hard to strengthen our retirement system. That is why I am committed to protecting Social Security and addressing Americans’ concerns. Social Security cannot be subjected to risky privatization plans because the future of hard-working Americans should not be left to the fluctuations of financial markets.
To better secure their retirement and prepare for unforeseen circumstances, Americans must also save for their future in other ways. We are laying the foundation for all individuals to participate in workplace retirement accounts. Employees would be automatically enrolled in pension plans and could opt out if they choose. Simple and automatic enrollment makes it easier for people to plan for retirement. This would assist the 75 million working Americans—about half the workforce—who lack access to retirement plans through their employers. Please join me online to learn more at www.WhiteHouse.gov/Issues/Seniors-And-Social-Security.
Thank you, again, for writing.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama
Communication to President Trump-Elect
On the outset let me clarify, I am neither a hard core Republican, nor an entrenched Democrat, I am a middle of the road guy, who cares about society as a whole; I work for Social Justice, and fight injustice wherever I see it.
I have sent a number of suggestions to Trump on a variety of topics, in the hope somebody will read them and talk to Trump about it. All of it, shown below, was posted on his website, and acknowledged each time.
9-14-2016-Hi Kellyanne,
I have written to you before, on Aug. 20th, and I am compelled to write to you again. I am happy to see that Donald is now no longer relying to much on his website, but now gives detailed account of its content, i.e. his plans.
Obama while running for office, pledged to require that the Food Industry label GMO content on food packages/containers, so that consumers know what they are eating. As you know, he did absolutely nothing; he failed to keep his election promise.
Practically all civilized nations require the GMO labeling, but our Government sold us out to the Food Industry, by making this crucial labeling, a voluntary matter. Needless to say, nobody does identify GMO content. The GMO issue unites both Republicans and Democrats, as well as Independents, therefore, I think it would be a great opportunity to remind the voters of Obama's promise, which he did not keep, while pledging that a Trump President will enforce the labeling of GMO content in our food supply, and then really act on it once elected. Obama was right when he said the consumers have a right to know, unfortunately, it ended there.
I look forward to news accounts about Trump pledging to require the mandatory labeling of GMO, in the food supply.
Regards,
Frank
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11-9-2016-Dear President-Elect,
I watched the election results last night, and I must say I was very pleased with this outcome; there were times, when you had me worried. You did stay focused during the last month or so and mainly ignored the baits offered by Hillary and her gang (the spirit cookers). Quite frankly, I never thought I would actually spend so much of my time, writing to you and KellyAnne, urging you to stay focused, and filling in survey after survey from your Trump team.
This election thought me an important lesson, too many Democrats in office, past and present, are so only by name; in reality this click is one ugly group of people, who have no morals, and are totally consumed by everything that is, to use Hillary's words, deplorable. I am less worried now about a WW III, which would have been a real possibility under Clinton; her benefactors wanted a confrontation on a major scale, because in times of war, the rich, connected with the military complex, get richer.
Now, your administration must tackle a host of problems, all at once it seems, one of these must be the youth that is not following an academic path, either for lack of money, or lack of scholastic ability. These young people, part of our next generation of voters must not be ignored any longer. We must look at other countries, like Germany, and study how they solve this problem. We need an apprenticeship program, which binds the young person and the company contractually, for the duration of the apprenticeship.
A while ago, I posted, on the Government site, a note to President Obama and VP Biden about our out-of-control gun violence; sadly I had no response. While I agree with removing military style weapons from our streets, it does not eliminate the root cause. We must address also the lack of opportunities for our future generation. We need to create a system that gives every young person a path to success, enhancing his or her self-esteem. We need not only opportunities for higher learning, but also apprenticeships, of all kinds, for those who are not academically inclined. Our industries must cooperate in such an effort, to make it work. In addition, we must provide job opportunities to all that finished their education, either academic or vocational.
Young people do not kill others when they are proud of themselves and their accomplishments. To that end, we must also enact a federal requirement that requires all schools to establish a program aimed at eliminating the bullying, of fellow students, of any kind. Our new First Lady indicated her desires to work this problem, and perhaps she may also be interested in my proposed apprenticeship program; we need someone like her to be the point person. Young people have become crueler than ever; video games and movies have corrupted the minds and souls of them; we have to reverse this horrible trend. When I was young, many years ago, I never heard of a child being driven to suicide. What has become of us?
A number of years ago, I had written a letter to then Secretary of Labor Reich, addressing the gang violence. Nothing ever came of it either, matters just got worse.
I am ready to help our new First Lady! I am a product of the German apprenticeship program, and I know how it works. My background can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-j-maier-70637a32
I am a retired ASQ certified Quality Engineer, as well as a SME certified Manufacturing Engineer. I represented Canada at the first NATO conference on Quality Assurance, held in 1973 at Munich Germany.
I am a US citizen. I want to help you in any way I can, to make our nation a safer, and a happier place, where people, once more, feel good about themselves, and each other.
Regards,
Frank
monfranz@msn.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/22/16 GMO, and the following was posted
Mr. President Trump,
Please ensure that any future healthcare plan, for the elder, includes adequate dental care coverage as well. As you know, lack of dental health often affects other parts of the body, and can contribute to major health issues. To bring down the healthcare cost of our country, the only viable solution is the prevention of major health problems.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11—25-2016
Dear President-Elect, It is totally unfair the people earn next to nothing with their savings accounts. When I was young, working for several banks, in Canada, the difference between what the bank charged for a loan, and what it paid to the savings account holder was 0.5%. Now the savings account holder gets from 0,01% to 0.06%, while interest on mortgages are at best 3.5%. Consumer loans, by banks, demand an average interest rate of 13.8%. The elderly who depend on these interest payment get the big shaft. If you want America great again, stop the banks from screwing the people. I have written similar to Obama, with no results; show us that you mean business, and truly represent, the working class, and the elderly, who in many cases, have to choose between eating or buying their medicines.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/30/16
Posted on Trumps Gov. site my article shown on my blog regarding entitlements
12/1/2016
Mr. President-Elect, We can make America great again only when our leader (you) walks the talk. Here is a quote of what you stated during your campaign, ""I'm not going to cut Social Security like every other Republican, and I'm not going to cut Medicare or Medicaid," he said in a May 2015 interview, which is still featured on his campaign website." Taken from the NBC news site 12/1/16. I refer you to my previous post on this subject. I urge you to keep your many promises, which you usually ended with "Trust Me", well show us that we can trust you; so far the signals you sent, with some of the people you pick for your team, makes me wonder. You said, you will drain the swamp, so far there is little evidence of that; show us some proof, please.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12/4/16
Dear President-Elect, I think your Secretary of State must be non other than Tulsi Gabbard, for the following reasons: 1) She is very much aligned with your thinking about this past nation building, which kept us in the poor house, and reduced our standing in the eyes of the world; 2) she is a very smart lady (I talked to Tulsi when I met her on the Big Island of Hawaii); 3) Like you, she had no use for Hillary and her policies; 4) she is a woman; 5) she is a Democrat, which will prove that you will bring the nation together. There is no other candidate that will provide you with so much credit for acting in an intelligent, non-partisan, nor nepotistic way. As always, glad to be of service. Frank
I have sent a number of suggestions to Trump on a variety of topics, in the hope somebody will read them and talk to Trump about it. All of it, shown below, was posted on his website, and acknowledged each time.
9-14-2016-Hi Kellyanne,
I have written to you before, on Aug. 20th, and I am compelled to write to you again. I am happy to see that Donald is now no longer relying to much on his website, but now gives detailed account of its content, i.e. his plans.
Obama while running for office, pledged to require that the Food Industry label GMO content on food packages/containers, so that consumers know what they are eating. As you know, he did absolutely nothing; he failed to keep his election promise.
Practically all civilized nations require the GMO labeling, but our Government sold us out to the Food Industry, by making this crucial labeling, a voluntary matter. Needless to say, nobody does identify GMO content. The GMO issue unites both Republicans and Democrats, as well as Independents, therefore, I think it would be a great opportunity to remind the voters of Obama's promise, which he did not keep, while pledging that a Trump President will enforce the labeling of GMO content in our food supply, and then really act on it once elected. Obama was right when he said the consumers have a right to know, unfortunately, it ended there.
I look forward to news accounts about Trump pledging to require the mandatory labeling of GMO, in the food supply.
Regards,
Frank
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11-9-2016-Dear President-Elect,
I watched the election results last night, and I must say I was very pleased with this outcome; there were times, when you had me worried. You did stay focused during the last month or so and mainly ignored the baits offered by Hillary and her gang (the spirit cookers). Quite frankly, I never thought I would actually spend so much of my time, writing to you and KellyAnne, urging you to stay focused, and filling in survey after survey from your Trump team.
This election thought me an important lesson, too many Democrats in office, past and present, are so only by name; in reality this click is one ugly group of people, who have no morals, and are totally consumed by everything that is, to use Hillary's words, deplorable. I am less worried now about a WW III, which would have been a real possibility under Clinton; her benefactors wanted a confrontation on a major scale, because in times of war, the rich, connected with the military complex, get richer.
Now, your administration must tackle a host of problems, all at once it seems, one of these must be the youth that is not following an academic path, either for lack of money, or lack of scholastic ability. These young people, part of our next generation of voters must not be ignored any longer. We must look at other countries, like Germany, and study how they solve this problem. We need an apprenticeship program, which binds the young person and the company contractually, for the duration of the apprenticeship.
A while ago, I posted, on the Government site, a note to President Obama and VP Biden about our out-of-control gun violence; sadly I had no response. While I agree with removing military style weapons from our streets, it does not eliminate the root cause. We must address also the lack of opportunities for our future generation. We need to create a system that gives every young person a path to success, enhancing his or her self-esteem. We need not only opportunities for higher learning, but also apprenticeships, of all kinds, for those who are not academically inclined. Our industries must cooperate in such an effort, to make it work. In addition, we must provide job opportunities to all that finished their education, either academic or vocational.
Young people do not kill others when they are proud of themselves and their accomplishments. To that end, we must also enact a federal requirement that requires all schools to establish a program aimed at eliminating the bullying, of fellow students, of any kind. Our new First Lady indicated her desires to work this problem, and perhaps she may also be interested in my proposed apprenticeship program; we need someone like her to be the point person. Young people have become crueler than ever; video games and movies have corrupted the minds and souls of them; we have to reverse this horrible trend. When I was young, many years ago, I never heard of a child being driven to suicide. What has become of us?
A number of years ago, I had written a letter to then Secretary of Labor Reich, addressing the gang violence. Nothing ever came of it either, matters just got worse.
I am ready to help our new First Lady! I am a product of the German apprenticeship program, and I know how it works. My background can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-j-maier-70637a32
I am a retired ASQ certified Quality Engineer, as well as a SME certified Manufacturing Engineer. I represented Canada at the first NATO conference on Quality Assurance, held in 1973 at Munich Germany.
I am a US citizen. I want to help you in any way I can, to make our nation a safer, and a happier place, where people, once more, feel good about themselves, and each other.
Regards,
Frank
monfranz@msn.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/22/16 GMO, and the following was posted
Mr. President Trump,
Please ensure that any future healthcare plan, for the elder, includes adequate dental care coverage as well. As you know, lack of dental health often affects other parts of the body, and can contribute to major health issues. To bring down the healthcare cost of our country, the only viable solution is the prevention of major health problems.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11—25-2016
Dear President-Elect, It is totally unfair the people earn next to nothing with their savings accounts. When I was young, working for several banks, in Canada, the difference between what the bank charged for a loan, and what it paid to the savings account holder was 0.5%. Now the savings account holder gets from 0,01% to 0.06%, while interest on mortgages are at best 3.5%. Consumer loans, by banks, demand an average interest rate of 13.8%. The elderly who depend on these interest payment get the big shaft. If you want America great again, stop the banks from screwing the people. I have written similar to Obama, with no results; show us that you mean business, and truly represent, the working class, and the elderly, who in many cases, have to choose between eating or buying their medicines.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/30/16
Posted on Trumps Gov. site my article shown on my blog regarding entitlements
12/1/2016
Mr. President-Elect, We can make America great again only when our leader (you) walks the talk. Here is a quote of what you stated during your campaign, ""I'm not going to cut Social Security like every other Republican, and I'm not going to cut Medicare or Medicaid," he said in a May 2015 interview, which is still featured on his campaign website." Taken from the NBC news site 12/1/16. I refer you to my previous post on this subject. I urge you to keep your many promises, which you usually ended with "Trust Me", well show us that we can trust you; so far the signals you sent, with some of the people you pick for your team, makes me wonder. You said, you will drain the swamp, so far there is little evidence of that; show us some proof, please.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12/4/16
Dear President-Elect, I think your Secretary of State must be non other than Tulsi Gabbard, for the following reasons: 1) She is very much aligned with your thinking about this past nation building, which kept us in the poor house, and reduced our standing in the eyes of the world; 2) she is a very smart lady (I talked to Tulsi when I met her on the Big Island of Hawaii); 3) Like you, she had no use for Hillary and her policies; 4) she is a woman; 5) she is a Democrat, which will prove that you will bring the nation together. There is no other candidate that will provide you with so much credit for acting in an intelligent, non-partisan, nor nepotistic way. As always, glad to be of service. Frank
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Open Letter Sent To Vice-President Biden (via post on White House website)
Dear Vice-President,
A while ago I wrote an email to the President about our out-of-control gun violence. While I agree with removing military style weapons from our streets, it does not eliminate the root cause. We must address also the lack of opportunities for our future generation. We need to create a system that gives every young person a path to success, enhancing his or her self-esteem. We need not only opportunities for higher learning, but also apprenticeships, of all kinds, for those who are not academically inclined. Our industries must cooperate in such an effort, to make it work.
We must provide job opportunities to all that finished their education, either academic or vocational.
Young people do not kill others when they are proud of themselves and their accomplishments. To that end, we must also enact a federal requirement that requires all schools to establish a program aimed at eliminating the bullying, of any kind, of fellow students. Young people have become crueler than ever; video games and movies have corrupted the minds and souls of them; we have to reverse this horrible trend. When I was young, many years ago, I never heard of a child being driven to suicide. What has become of us?
A number of years ago, I had written a letter to then Secretary of Labor Reich, addressing the gang violence. Nothing ever came of it, matters just got worse.
I am ready to help! I am a product of the German apprenticeship program, and I know how it works. My background can be found at FrankMaier.homestead.com or https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-j-maier-70637a32
I am an ASQ certified Quality Engineer, as well as a SME certified Manufacturing Engineer. I represented Canada at the first NATO conference on Quality Assurance, held in 1973 at Munich Germany.
I am a US citizen. I want to help you in any way I can, to make our nation a safer, and a happier place, where people, once more, feel good about themselves, and each other.
Regards,
Frank
monfranz@msn.com
A while ago I wrote an email to the President about our out-of-control gun violence. While I agree with removing military style weapons from our streets, it does not eliminate the root cause. We must address also the lack of opportunities for our future generation. We need to create a system that gives every young person a path to success, enhancing his or her self-esteem. We need not only opportunities for higher learning, but also apprenticeships, of all kinds, for those who are not academically inclined. Our industries must cooperate in such an effort, to make it work.
We must provide job opportunities to all that finished their education, either academic or vocational.
Young people do not kill others when they are proud of themselves and their accomplishments. To that end, we must also enact a federal requirement that requires all schools to establish a program aimed at eliminating the bullying, of any kind, of fellow students. Young people have become crueler than ever; video games and movies have corrupted the minds and souls of them; we have to reverse this horrible trend. When I was young, many years ago, I never heard of a child being driven to suicide. What has become of us?
A number of years ago, I had written a letter to then Secretary of Labor Reich, addressing the gang violence. Nothing ever came of it, matters just got worse.
I am ready to help! I am a product of the German apprenticeship program, and I know how it works. My background can be found at FrankMaier.homestead.com or https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-j-maier-70637a32
I am an ASQ certified Quality Engineer, as well as a SME certified Manufacturing Engineer. I represented Canada at the first NATO conference on Quality Assurance, held in 1973 at Munich Germany.
I am a US citizen. I want to help you in any way I can, to make our nation a safer, and a happier place, where people, once more, feel good about themselves, and each other.
Regards,
Frank
monfranz@msn.com
Monday, October 15, 2012
Make Sure Our Voice Is Heard
It is now public knowledge that both Mayor Kenoi and candidate Kim are in favour of the environmentally harmful Gasification process, to deal with solid waste, according to their recent debate statements. It is therefore extremely important that we give our support to Sonny Shimaoka, who is against this course of action; he will oppose Gasification of our trash.
The answer to handling our trash is not Gasification, but solid waste sorting and recycling, and turning green waste into compost and mulch. Some years ago, then mayor Kim built a 9 million dollars trash sorting station (so far a white Elephant), in the Hilo area, which stands idle for years already; let them use it finally for the purpose intended.
Please use the social media at your disposal, and communicate with all you know; we need a voice that opposes polluting our air and waters, for the sake of making big money, by building another white Elephant, which will be a financial disaster in the end. HELCO is already proposing a rate hike to help finance this disastrous project, which will in the end cost a lot more than the current $500 million estimated. Again they will then hike the rate to make up for their shortfall.
Support your community by supporting Sonny Shimaoka!
Thanks
The answer to handling our trash is not Gasification, but solid waste sorting and recycling, and turning green waste into compost and mulch. Some years ago, then mayor Kim built a 9 million dollars trash sorting station (so far a white Elephant), in the Hilo area, which stands idle for years already; let them use it finally for the purpose intended.
Please use the social media at your disposal, and communicate with all you know; we need a voice that opposes polluting our air and waters, for the sake of making big money, by building another white Elephant, which will be a financial disaster in the end. HELCO is already proposing a rate hike to help finance this disastrous project, which will in the end cost a lot more than the current $500 million estimated. Again they will then hike the rate to make up for their shortfall.
Support your community by supporting Sonny Shimaoka!
Thanks
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Wakeup America!
Our politicians consider our Social Security payments as an entitlement, making it sound as if it were a gift from the Government, which they can reduce or eliminate at will. Nothing could be further from reality. Our social security payments are the contractual repayments, by installments, of money we have advanced, interest free, over many years, in fact a working lifetime, to the Government. The Government has borrowed from this fund, repeatedly, interest free, over many decades, and has never repaid this debt. The Government’s debt to this fund is well over two trillion dollars.
Why this great urgency to plan unilateral changes now? The Government has already spent all of the surplus Old Age and Security Insurance (OASI) and Disability Insurance ( DI) taxes collected, and has evidently no intention to repay this debt. If the Government were to meet their legal obligation of repayment of their debt, the fund could meet its obligation until about 2042. And, if corporations were not rewarded for exporting the jobs of the American worker, more people would support the OASI and DI funds through their payroll deductions for these funds, and thus these funds would be viable beyond the 75 year horizon. Moreover, the wages of the American worker have been kept very low over the years, and even reduced in some cases, thus reducing the sum of money collected by the Government, again working against the viability of these funds.
Why is the American worker’s wage compared to workers of other countries, who do not have to live with high living expenses, as we do in the USA, including the highest medical expenses in the world? The American worker is made to feel guilty for demanding a living wage; why is this so? These unsociable giant American corporations are not satisfied with raping, and abusing foreign workers in other countries, they are now importing their inhuman practices to the USA, and if the American worker refuses to step back to the middle ages, they employ their Government patsies, whom they have bought before, to bring the American worker to his or her knees. Already State Governments are eliminating the rights of workers, in accordance with the wishes of their masters, the money donors to their political careers.
We, the people, were given no choice, we are taxed, by force, to pay into these funds specifically, and now they want to reduce our contractual entitlement, and change the contract unilaterally. Unlike Canada, who do provide Old Age Security payments to their citizens, without having taxed them expressly for it, we, here in the USA, bought our benefit payments with our tax dollars, specifically for that purpose. Now if the Canadian Government, for example, wished to change the Old Age Security formula, it would be understandable, because it really is a kind of a gift from their Government. Canada has a separate coordinated pension system, to which workers contribute with payroll deductions, and nobody messes with that, and neither must the US Government mess with our paid for OASI, and DI benefits. In fact, September 2011 the President proposed to cut Medicare by nearly 250 billion dollars, an attack on the most vulnerable, the aged, who supported the country all their lives.
How long will it be before we all realize that we are abused by our Government and their benefactors? Other nations took forty years or so to understand that they, the people, were had; how much longer do we need to get the message? Wakeup America! Most of us think, if we go and participate in elections every so often, we did our duty. Wrong! All we did is legitimize the frauds in office, at any level, to abuse us some more. Let us look at the recent bailouts of the financial institutions. The Government took our tax money (money from the victims) to bail out the crooks on Wall Street and anywhere else from where they operate. They did not bail out any of the homeowners, who made an honest mistake to buy a home they could not afford, simple because they were told, by the financial industry, that they could. Nobody went to jail, while the ordinary citizen lost his job, his home, including his or her self-esteem. The masses were blamed for their engineered economic disaster, which helped to transfer the assets of ordinary people to the crooks in the financial industry.
The homeowners affected, for the most part, are still in trouble, and have lost everything, simply because they were not too big to fail. The financial crooks are all doing well again, and pay themselves large salaries, and super large bonuses. Our Government has, in essence, rewarded these criminals with our tax money. As stated earlier nobody went to jail, because of this massive fraud. All of a sudden they feel that our retired citizens have it too good, and can well afford to have their contractual benefits slashed. After all, we have the world’s best Government money can buy, and did these crooks buy our Government, and stole our democracy in the process. To rescue and protect our democracy we must do more than just vote these characters into office, we must keep them honest, by watching every move they make, and set them straight, when the veer off course.
We are renown, around the world, as a people, who are dumb, fat, and happy. Well, we are not dumb, we may be a little overweight and we sure as hell should not be happy. What are we to do? For one, let your representative know that if he or she votes for taking away our right to receive our money back in retirement, they may as well resign now, because we will recall them, and surely not vote for them again.
"No taxation without representation" was the cry during the years between 1750 and 1760, and spawned ultimately the American Revolution. Well, we are at this stage again; we are taxed without representation. Our Government has sold out to special interest groups, who send their agents (read Lobbyists) to Washington to buy favors from our representatives sitting in Congress, Senate and the White House. If you are in doubt about that, just look at those who got bailed out recently, it was not people like you and me, that is for sure.
We can use the Social Media to educate our friends and neighbors, and to email or call our representatives, and let them know that we are mad, and we will not tolerate abuse anymore.
It’s OK to use these media for all the fun things we seem to enjoy, however, these tools are giving us also the power of serious communications. Our national elections are just around the corner, now is the time to turn the tables and put pressure on those who wish to represent us, while filling their pockets. Let them know where you stand. Once they are back again in the saddle, they can do a lot of more damage, by eliminating, or cutting down our legal rights. Do not let them do this to us, and our children! Use the Social Media (and email) to give a wakeup call to your relatives, friends, neighbors, and your representatives.
Facts on the Social Security Fund: (http://www.ssa.gov/oact/trsum/index.html) - A SUMMARY OF THE 2011 ANNUAL REPORTS
Social Security and Medicare Boards of Trustees
From Wikipedia: - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Security_Trust_Fund
“The trust funds run surpluses in that the amount paid in by current workers is more than the amount paid out to current beneficiaries. These surpluses are given to the U.S. Treasury (and thus become part of the general federal budget) in exchange for special U.S. government securities, which are deposited into the trust funds. If the trust funds begin running deficits, meaning more in benefits are paid out than contributions paid in, the Social Security Administration is empowered to redeem the securities and use those funds to cover the deficit.”
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Entitlement is a guarantee of access to benefits based on established rights or by legislation.
Entitlement - right granted by law or contract (especially a right to benefits); "entitlements make up the major part of the federal budget" (thefreedictinary.com)
Entitled - qualified for by right according to law; "we are all entitled to equal protection under the law"
Monday, August 6, 2012
Extremely Concerned Again
Since my written questions on the following (submitted, at the Aug. 4th candidate meeting), never saw the light of day, in open forum, I appreciate you reading my opinion here.
Margaret Wille, candidate for Councilperson, district 9, in her article in the KMN of July 28, 2012, stated, "I will work to dispose of our solid waste in ways that turn this waste stream into a revenue-generating asset." I called her the morning of July 30, 2012, to inquire how she would accomplish that; here is what I learned. This candidate wants to consider 'Waste Gasification', etc., despite the fact that she is well aware that our community was 100% against such a project. At the time of our struggle against 'Waste Gasification', I invited her to join our cause; she never did. Not joining our community then is clear now; she considers this harmful process as a possible option to serve her money-generating goal.
Her confessed desire is to make money for the county. She writes, "I will focus on ways to increase the revenue streams available to our County." She also states, "I have been involved in many County issues over the past six years: working closely with the current Councilperson Pete Hoffman, studying the issues….” This candidate, like Pete Hoffman, is on the wrong side of this issue. My records show, Pete Hoffman was not on the side of the community. This candidate painted herself as an understudy to Pete Hoffman, not a good thing considering the foregoing. This candidate also portrays herself as an insider, which she clearly is. The last thing we need is another insider. Strangely, this candidate is not talking about liberating existing funds through bureaucratic waste reduction; she may seek income through harmful trash processing, etc.
This candidate pledges to resolve “…multi-dimensional issues such as how to increase the Medicaid reimbursement rate for Hawaii physicians.” The medical industry is already bankrupting many of our families, and, to an extent, our country (http://www.businesspundit.com/us-healthcare-vs-the-rest-of-the-world/). Our medical costs are one of the highest in the world, yet estimates show that 200,000 Americans die, every year, because of medical errors (http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/01/opinion/gupta-medical-mistakes/index.html?iref=allsearch). Do we need to give them more money to speed up our economic death, as well? I think not. To champion this cause, for this special interest group, only adds to our already high tax burden.
From her writing, it is obvious; this candidate is not for our community. No mention, in her article, of making our lives more safe and enjoyable; it is all about raising money for the County, apparently without consideration of the environment. This candidate never stated what the County should do with all the money she wants to raise.
The full-page ad in the KMN, page 20, “Paid for by Friends to Elect Margaret Wille”, should raise a flag, who are these friends? Let us consider a person, who is truly for all the people, and not on the side of bureaucrats, or perhaps beholden to special interest groups. Let us elect an ‘Outsider’ to represent truly our interests, and not that of the existing establishment. If you care about a save and healthy environment, in which to live, and raise your children without the threat of another harmful process proposal, and have no urge to increase County revenues, then you must elect another more suitable candidate. Let us not repeat history! Mahalo,
Frank J. Maier
http://against.homestead.com
http://frankjm-socialconcerns.blogspot.com/
Monday, February 27, 2012
OPEN LETTER TO PETER HO - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Bank of Hawaii
The following was emailed to Peter Ho on February 7, 2012, and was published in the Kohala Mountain News February 25, 2012. To-date no response was received.
"Dear Mr. Ho,
I worked in the fifties for major Canadian national banks; I know how crucial a local bank is to a community, and that is why I read the letter of January 27, 2012, announcing the closing of the Kohala branch, with sadness. Surely you appreciate, a bank is more than a business; it is also a community support system. This is especially true with our local seniors, many of whom are either unable or afraid to use online banking services, for various reasons. Trying to educate them in using online services will not work; for most elderly, learning is no longer easy or even possible. What about those people who have no computer to begin with? I fear it includes the majority of our seniors.
Reading about you, I found the following, “Peter Ho puts helping people high on desires - Honolulu Advertiser (Mar 21, 2010)”. Mr. Ho, this is your God given chance to live up to your desires, and to demonstrate that your service priorities are still in the right place. Closing the Kohala branch would be contrary to helping people, in my opinion. I know that Bank of Hawaii has an excellent financial record; I refuse to believe that your bank would abandon our seniors/community, who contributed so much to make your bank successful for 90 years. Closing this historic branch would appear ungrateful, and totally devoid of the ‘Aloha Spirit.
Our business community will also suffer; which business owners have the time to travel to Waimea, to accomplish their basic banking needs? Yes, we are in an economic slowdown, but as sure as, the sun will rise tomorrow, so will the business climate in our community. Signs of increased tourist trade are everywhere. A community without at least one local full-service bank is doomed to stagnate. This plan to close our local bank appears very shortsighted, and ignores the potential of our community; it throws in the towel in defeat. The closing of this branch signals to us that your bank has given up on our community. This is not the bank I know, and learned to respect in the aftermath of our national banking disaster.
I appreciate that there are compelling short-term business reasons why your bank came to this decision. However, when looking at the long-term, this decision will prove to be wrong, not only in the business sense, but also in the human sense. Taking away a community banking support from a struggling community, trying to rebuild itself appears to be an apathetic and calculated action. There are ways to make this work for the benefit of the bank and the community. For example, this branch does not require three bank clerks, excluding the Manager, and yet this is what I saw January 30, 2012, while making my deposit. We, I am sure, are willing to wait a little longer in-line to get service, if that, and other cost savings, like opening three days a week only, help to keep this branch open.
Keeping this branch open, for the sake of the community, is priceless marketing for your bank. When prospective customers, learn about this, they will be confident to bring their business to your bank. I implore you to exercise your executive power and veto this planned closure of our branch.
Respectfully,
Frank J. Maier"
"Dear Mr. Ho,
I worked in the fifties for major Canadian national banks; I know how crucial a local bank is to a community, and that is why I read the letter of January 27, 2012, announcing the closing of the Kohala branch, with sadness. Surely you appreciate, a bank is more than a business; it is also a community support system. This is especially true with our local seniors, many of whom are either unable or afraid to use online banking services, for various reasons. Trying to educate them in using online services will not work; for most elderly, learning is no longer easy or even possible. What about those people who have no computer to begin with? I fear it includes the majority of our seniors.
Reading about you, I found the following, “Peter Ho puts helping people high on desires - Honolulu Advertiser (Mar 21, 2010)”. Mr. Ho, this is your God given chance to live up to your desires, and to demonstrate that your service priorities are still in the right place. Closing the Kohala branch would be contrary to helping people, in my opinion. I know that Bank of Hawaii has an excellent financial record; I refuse to believe that your bank would abandon our seniors/community, who contributed so much to make your bank successful for 90 years. Closing this historic branch would appear ungrateful, and totally devoid of the ‘Aloha Spirit.
Our business community will also suffer; which business owners have the time to travel to Waimea, to accomplish their basic banking needs? Yes, we are in an economic slowdown, but as sure as, the sun will rise tomorrow, so will the business climate in our community. Signs of increased tourist trade are everywhere. A community without at least one local full-service bank is doomed to stagnate. This plan to close our local bank appears very shortsighted, and ignores the potential of our community; it throws in the towel in defeat. The closing of this branch signals to us that your bank has given up on our community. This is not the bank I know, and learned to respect in the aftermath of our national banking disaster.
I appreciate that there are compelling short-term business reasons why your bank came to this decision. However, when looking at the long-term, this decision will prove to be wrong, not only in the business sense, but also in the human sense. Taking away a community banking support from a struggling community, trying to rebuild itself appears to be an apathetic and calculated action. There are ways to make this work for the benefit of the bank and the community. For example, this branch does not require three bank clerks, excluding the Manager, and yet this is what I saw January 30, 2012, while making my deposit. We, I am sure, are willing to wait a little longer in-line to get service, if that, and other cost savings, like opening three days a week only, help to keep this branch open.
Keeping this branch open, for the sake of the community, is priceless marketing for your bank. When prospective customers, learn about this, they will be confident to bring their business to your bank. I implore you to exercise your executive power and veto this planned closure of our branch.
Respectfully,
Frank J. Maier"
Monday, August 1, 2011
Kohala Scenic Byway Meeting Notice
Please attend if you can; be educated, and make your wishes known. Evaluate the impact, if any, on our community.
Taken from http://gokohala.com/calendar.html, as a public service.
Taken from http://gokohala.com/calendar.html, as a public service.
"August 10 - 5:30pm
Kohala Scenic Byway Public Informational Meeting will be held at the Kohala Elementary and High School Cafeteria. In its first phase, Akoni Pule Highway has completed the task of being named Hawaii Scenic Byway Ke Ala ‘O Kohala – The Way of Kohala. The Highways Division recently approved the nomination prepared by the local committee. If accepted and approved, the proposed byway will run along Akoni Pule Highway, which will keep its name, from Honokoa Gulch near Kawaihae to Pololu Valley. Kohala’s multi-layered history will be the focus of the driving experience. Using the suggestions from the public meeting, the committee will write up the application for state designation of the byway which will include plans for a long-term local byways committee and a management plan to enhance the values chosen by Kohala people. All are welcome to attend to share ideas for decisions yet to be made. Sponsor for the Ke Ala ‘O Kohala byways project is the North Kohala Community Resource Center. For more information about the public meeting or the byways committee contact Scott Bedingfield at 896-9001 or Judy Rogers at 430-5689."
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
It Is Official
Bennett Dorrance has confirmed to me in writing, in an email dated July 5th, 2011, that "The lower Iole land is off the table as far as a location for the zero waste station, ..." Bennett a good member of our community has shown great sensitivity to the voice of his community, and I for one appreciate this very much. As a result of this, there will be no Zero Waste Park near and upwind from Ainakea homes.
I am 100% convinced I speak for all of you when I say, "Bennett thank you very much for your concern for the health and safety of our community, we are indeed very grateful".
In addition, I wish to thank the many residents who had the courage to stand by their conviction. Last but not least many thanks to the 'AGAINST' working group members.
I am 100% convinced I speak for all of you when I say, "Bennett thank you very much for your concern for the health and safety of our community, we are indeed very grateful".
In addition, I wish to thank the many residents who had the courage to stand by their conviction. Last but not least many thanks to the 'AGAINST' working group members.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Is No News always Good News?
Aloha All,
It has been quite a while since my last post, perhaps some of you were wondering if I had gone on my last journey. As attractive as that would be to some, it is not the case. My reason for the extended silence was purely the lack of good news that you all deserve. A number of you actually contacted me, wondering why the Blog was silent for so long, and what the latest status on the issue is, urging me to break my silence.
In consideration of the foregoing request, and to bring you all up-to-date, I decided to write this particular blog minus the positive feedback, I was expecting.
March 29th 2011, I had close to an hour meeting with Mayor Billy Kenoi, who agreed to look into the matter, and thanked me for bringing this community/citizen concern to his attention. He subsequently promised, by email, to study the additional pertinent materials I submitted to him following our meeting. So far I have not received any further communication from the Mayor’s office. I am not giving up, surely the Mayor is a busy man, and will, when able, address our concerns in a positive way. He seemed very sincere, and concerned during our meeting.
Further to my published letter to the Editor of the Kohala Mountain News, regarding WasteStream’s non-compliance with the Sunshine law, and per the Editor's published suggestion, I requested February 28th 2011 a ruling from the Office Information Practices (OIP), who is responsible for enforcing the Sunshine law of Hawaii. They in turn requested from the County’s Allen Salavea , in their letter, dated March 2, 2011, that he provide them with a detailed explanation, including any relevant legal citations, setting forth his position on this matter and any other information he deemed relevant to this inquiry. He was requested that he provide this response to OIP in ten business days from receipt of this letter, i.e. by March 14, 2011. Despite follow-up letters by the OIP, the County has failed to comply, judging from copies of OIP letters I received.
I had no intention to go that far, and I communicated this to North Kohala News prior to the publication of my letter, but their public suggestion that I get an official ruling from the OIP, left me no other choice. A request for a ruling includes an accusation by definition, therefore I did not wish to do that.
In a letter dated April 8th 2011, the EPA informed me that they will continue to encourage the County to engage in meaningful participation with all residents on this waste processing facility issue.
It has been quite a while since my last post, perhaps some of you were wondering if I had gone on my last journey. As attractive as that would be to some, it is not the case. My reason for the extended silence was purely the lack of good news that you all deserve. A number of you actually contacted me, wondering why the Blog was silent for so long, and what the latest status on the issue is, urging me to break my silence.
In consideration of the foregoing request, and to bring you all up-to-date, I decided to write this particular blog minus the positive feedback, I was expecting.
March 29th 2011, I had close to an hour meeting with Mayor Billy Kenoi, who agreed to look into the matter, and thanked me for bringing this community/citizen concern to his attention. He subsequently promised, by email, to study the additional pertinent materials I submitted to him following our meeting. So far I have not received any further communication from the Mayor’s office. I am not giving up, surely the Mayor is a busy man, and will, when able, address our concerns in a positive way. He seemed very sincere, and concerned during our meeting.
Further to my published letter to the Editor of the Kohala Mountain News, regarding WasteStream’s non-compliance with the Sunshine law, and per the Editor's published suggestion, I requested February 28th 2011 a ruling from the Office Information Practices (OIP), who is responsible for enforcing the Sunshine law of Hawaii. They in turn requested from the County’s Allen Salavea , in their letter, dated March 2, 2011, that he provide them with a detailed explanation, including any relevant legal citations, setting forth his position on this matter and any other information he deemed relevant to this inquiry. He was requested that he provide this response to OIP in ten business days from receipt of this letter, i.e. by March 14, 2011. Despite follow-up letters by the OIP, the County has failed to comply, judging from copies of OIP letters I received.
I had no intention to go that far, and I communicated this to North Kohala News prior to the publication of my letter, but their public suggestion that I get an official ruling from the OIP, left me no other choice. A request for a ruling includes an accusation by definition, therefore I did not wish to do that.
In a letter dated April 8th 2011, the EPA informed me that they will continue to encourage the County to engage in meaningful participation with all residents on this waste processing facility issue.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Just What North Kohala Needs
Aloha,
Here is what I have been told, I did not verify the reports myself. However, one picture is worth a thousand words, and two pictures are worth ......? You figure it out. Please see photos below.
Apparently, some business from Hilo is processing these scrap cars on Surety property, down near the old lighthouse. I am told, the scrap metal is to be shipped off-shore. Add to this a waste treatment plant, then we are really cooking.
No doubt, our tourists will be very happy to see that even Hawaii is out to destroy its pristine country side. We even place them high up on cables, to give them a better view of our mess. Make no mistake, tourists talk to each other, and talk story with their friends and relatives at home. This could affect some local businesses, in time.
If you have better facts, please email me, or, better still, post your comment right here..
Here is what I have been told, I did not verify the reports myself. However, one picture is worth a thousand words, and two pictures are worth ......? You figure it out. Please see photos below.
Apparently, some business from Hilo is processing these scrap cars on Surety property, down near the old lighthouse. I am told, the scrap metal is to be shipped off-shore. Add to this a waste treatment plant, then we are really cooking.
No doubt, our tourists will be very happy to see that even Hawaii is out to destroy its pristine country side. We even place them high up on cables, to give them a better view of our mess. Make no mistake, tourists talk to each other, and talk story with their friends and relatives at home. This could affect some local businesses, in time.
If you have better facts, please email me, or, better still, post your comment right here..
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Is New Moon Veering Off Its Charted Course?
Aloha,
It is time to increase our attention and knowledge of those things that may impact our quality of life in a very negative way, unless we make certain that involved parties and entities live up to their published tenet, and remain honorable. To help us understand, and allow us to separate fact from fiction, let us examine the following.
All quotes, shown below, are from New Moon's web pages at http://www.newmoonfoundation.org, as of 2/20/11, unless otherwise stated.
The teaching, apparently, includes avoiding or correcting injustice, and not inflicting it. Moreover, what healing quality can be ascribed to an upwind waste processing facility, 700 yards or less from homes?
New Moon's mission and ideology is shown below.
New Moon's website shows that,
Their web-site also shows,
It is time to increase our attention and knowledge of those things that may impact our quality of life in a very negative way, unless we make certain that involved parties and entities live up to their published tenet, and remain honorable. To help us understand, and allow us to separate fact from fiction, let us examine the following.
All quotes, shown below, are from New Moon's web pages at http://www.newmoonfoundation.org, as of 2/20/11, unless otherwise stated.
"New Moon Foundation was co-founded in 1999 by Bennett Dorrance, Jr. and Thuy Nguyen Fujimoto. Where the foundation is today is the result of a friendship that has been mutually enriching, productive and lasting because it is based on shared values and aspirations. We are:
- inspired by the learning and practice of Engaged Buddhism.
- passionate about practicing Right Relationship and building New Moon Foundation as a values-based organization.
- committed to the responsible stewardship of New Moon Foundation’s lands as a living part of the Foundation with healing qualities for the benefit of all." Emphasis added to this bullet.
The teaching, apparently, includes avoiding or correcting injustice, and not inflicting it. Moreover, what healing quality can be ascribed to an upwind waste processing facility, 700 yards or less from homes?
New Moon's mission and ideology is shown below.
"Core Ideology and Purpose
MISSION
New Moon Foundation is a values-based organization and our mission is to provide educational & science-based programs, scholarships and grants that encourage and support the practice of our core values G.R.A.C.E.
CORE VALUES G.R.A.C.E.
- Gratitude – A deep appreciation of life in all forms, valuing both its gifts and lessons. This is the foundation for finding joy in our human condition.
- Respect - The practice of awareness and openness to others, new ideas and different perspectives. Respect is the basis for peace and understanding.
- Accountability - Taking responsibility for our actions, thoughts and emotions. Acknowledging our choices and their consequences empowers us to choose again.
- Courage - The discipline to be authentic, honest and act with integrity. Courage allows us to grow and realize our true potential and dreams.
- Engagement – The intention to wholeheartedly contribute our gifts and skills in a way that benefits our communities and natural environments. This is a natural outcome and test of a values-based life.
We deeply believe that if we individually make a sincere effort to practice the above core values and support each other in this practice, we all will become happier with our lives, enjoy a more caring and peaceful world and leave a more sustainable environment to our children.
We also believe that there is an urgent need to cultivate wholesome values in our world and especially in our children as it appears that, in general, our current social and work environments, family and school systems are not doing an adequate job at this, leading to practices and approaches that are detrimental to our environment and disempowering to many of us." Emphasis added.
These are lofty goals, nobody could argue with, however, offering their "Sweet Water/Iole" land for the construction of a waste processing plant, 700 yards or less upwind from Ainakea homes, appears to violate their tenet of GRACE, in a major way. For one it would be detrimental to the environment and will dis-empower an entire community. In addition, in face of the resident's rejection, it appears disrespectful to the entire community affected, to persist with this project. Where is the respect mentioned in New Moon's first tenet, "Respect"?
"New Moon Foundation recently underwent a thoughtful process to name its land holdings. Now known as "Sweet Water", the land encompasses the majority of the 'Iole Ahupua'a' including the Bond Estate and Former Kohala Girls' School, as well as areas outside the ahupua'a. NMF felt it right to honor the land with a name that paid homage to the water that runs beneath the lands and the gentle rains that come with the tradewinds to nourish all beings and vegetation"
"Sweet Water lands are available for hiking, camping and other outdoor educational activities of youth, adult, and corporate groups"If New Moon really honors the 'Aina' (land) and truly pays homage to the waters that run beneath the land, why would it offer this very land for the construction of a waste treatment facility near homes, against the wishes of the local community? Such a processing plant could surely, in time, contaminate the very waters they aim to pay homage to. One could well imagine, how enjoyable it would be to hike in an area loaded with the stench of trash, and the associated noise pollution of a waste processing plant. It would, possibly, even provide an opportunity to carry out an animal nature study, by observing rats at play. Does it get any better than that?
Their web-site also shows,
"In 2009, the New Moon Foundation created Sweet Water LLC dba Iole as a separate legal entity dedicated to the responsible and sustainable stewardship of our lands and buildings"
"We aim at fulfilling our mission while achieving long term financial sustainability. ..."This says, it is now a for profit enterprise, which is , evidently, already raising its threatening head, and, apparently, all these noble goals, and respect for the 'Aina', no longer seem to matter, as long as "financial sustainability" is achieved.
Written communication with key-personnel of the New Moon Foundation, aimed at resolving this matter in favor of the community at large, since mid November, 2010 proved fruitless. Last communications were filled with reservations, and unreasonable unattainable conditions. One could ask, where is the respect, their second stated tenet describes? It is reasonable to perceive that their refusal to remove their land offer without reservations and convoluted conditions, as a clear confirmation that New Moon/Sweet Water/Iole is unwilling to remove the "Sweet Water/Iole" land from WasteStream's list for a waste treatment facility. Given the tragic contrast between their words and their planned actions, it should not really come as a surprise. One hears stories about corporations, which enter small communities in sheep's clothing, i.e. as a non-profit foundation. They usually do a few things well, all aimed at gaining the respect and trust of the community. Then, a while later they undergo a metamorphosis and become for profit enterprises, and the gloves come off. I do not suggest for one minute that this applies to the New Moon foundation, however, I do not know for certain.
Writings received, from New Moon, show that, apparently, this land was only offered to be of service to the community. Well, it should be clear to New Moon/Sweet Water/Iole, the community has rejected this land for the purpose given, so why is it still being offered? The interest groups involved, including New Moon/Sweet Water/Iole, act as if only they know what is best for the community. Apart from totally dis-empowering the entire community, they treat our local residents in a condescending manner. Between what was learned at the February 19th CDP meeting (see prior blog), and from New Moon's lack of a positive response to a plea to have this site scrapped, in light of the overwhelming rejection by the residents, the picture becomes clear. It is full steam ahead baby. OK, New Moon Foundation/Sweet Water LLC/Iole, NK_CDP and WasteStream prove the contrary, scrap this site selection, and make our day.
Let us assume, a worse case scenario, no other suitable site is ultimately available. Is the urge, by these interested parties, to build this waste treatment facility, 700 yards or less from Ainakea homes, more paramount than the quality of life, safety, and well-being of an entire community? What could be that strong incentive, justifying ignoring the wishes of the community? In can't be community spirit, the residents don't want it upwind near their homes. Surely, the end of the world is not at hand, should this project be delayed until more suitable land does become available. If push comes to shove, the existing facility can be upgraded with the tax dollars saved, by not buying Sweet Water/Iole land, and not building a costly new paved road to a new expensive facility.
Writings received, from New Moon, show that, apparently, this land was only offered to be of service to the community. Well, it should be clear to New Moon/Sweet Water/Iole, the community has rejected this land for the purpose given, so why is it still being offered? The interest groups involved, including New Moon/Sweet Water/Iole, act as if only they know what is best for the community. Apart from totally dis-empowering the entire community, they treat our local residents in a condescending manner. Between what was learned at the February 19th CDP meeting (see prior blog), and from New Moon's lack of a positive response to a plea to have this site scrapped, in light of the overwhelming rejection by the residents, the picture becomes clear. It is full steam ahead baby. OK, New Moon Foundation/Sweet Water LLC/Iole, NK_CDP and WasteStream prove the contrary, scrap this site selection, and make our day.
Let us assume, a worse case scenario, no other suitable site is ultimately available. Is the urge, by these interested parties, to build this waste treatment facility, 700 yards or less from Ainakea homes, more paramount than the quality of life, safety, and well-being of an entire community? What could be that strong incentive, justifying ignoring the wishes of the community? In can't be community spirit, the residents don't want it upwind near their homes. Surely, the end of the world is not at hand, should this project be delayed until more suitable land does become available. If push comes to shove, the existing facility can be upgraded with the tax dollars saved, by not buying Sweet Water/Iole land, and not building a costly new paved road to a new expensive facility.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
WasteStream Acts Against Own Recommendation
Aloha,
During the 2nd Infrastructure Focus Group meeting of the NK_CDP, the following reasonable criteria were offered, "as seen by WasteStream ..." (see quotes below), and yet today, WasteStream is refusing to remove their inappropriate site selection, which not only violates their own initial set of criteria, but dis-empowers entire communities, and destroys the quality of life for the residents affected.
Ref. NOTES ON INFRASTRUCTURE FOCUS GROUP MEETING OF 11/14/07
North Kohala CDP
MEMORANDUM NO. 3
To: Project Team
From: Harmonee Williams
Date: November 15, 2007
NOTES ON INFRASTRUCTURE FOCUS GROUP MEETING OF 11/14/07"
Instead of limiting negative community reactions, as initially suggested by WasteStream, they actually invited these reactions by the residents affected, by their unwise selection of a site 700 yards or less from Ainakea homes. And, even after massive opposition to this proposed waste treatment facility location, by the communities, WasteStream still refuses to scrap this site for this project. What differentiates WasteStream and their supporters from dictators, who ignore the will of the people? Nothing.
During the 2nd Infrastructure Focus Group meeting of the NK_CDP, the following reasonable criteria were offered, "as seen by WasteStream ..." (see quotes below), and yet today, WasteStream is refusing to remove their inappropriate site selection, which not only violates their own initial set of criteria, but dis-empowers entire communities, and destroys the quality of life for the residents affected.
Ref. NOTES ON INFRASTRUCTURE FOCUS GROUP MEETING OF 11/14/07
"The compilation of the criteria for a Class 1 Neighborhood Recycle Center:
General Location Requirements (as seen by Wastestream, our local project working on this issue)Reference:
Convenient and safe for all customers in District (at least as convenient as current location)
A location near highway to facilitate truck transport of rubbish to land fill (better than current location)
Not located next to or near current large residential areas (limit negative community reactions)
At least 20 acres of usable land (not in gulches, near stream beds, or other difficult terrain)
Land reasonably available to County (private land might require owner's agreement to sell or lease long-term)." Emphasis added.
North Kohala CDP
MEMORANDUM NO. 3
To: Project Team
From: Harmonee Williams
Date: November 15, 2007
NOTES ON INFRASTRUCTURE FOCUS GROUP MEETING OF 11/14/07"
Instead of limiting negative community reactions, as initially suggested by WasteStream, they actually invited these reactions by the residents affected, by their unwise selection of a site 700 yards or less from Ainakea homes. And, even after massive opposition to this proposed waste treatment facility location, by the communities, WasteStream still refuses to scrap this site for this project. What differentiates WasteStream and their supporters from dictators, who ignore the will of the people? Nothing.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Over 400 Residents Have Registered In Opposition, So Far
Aloha,
The good effort by our active petition team resulted in this good showing. If you have printed the Petition Form, and collected signatures, please email them to me, as soon as possible, so I can update our records. It must be noted, all signatures were freely given by the registered residents, who were all outraged by this whole affair. So far, we have encountered only one resident, to my knowledge, who was in favor of this project, and he was, apparently, seen hanging around with the WasteStream folks.
Thank you!
The good effort by our active petition team resulted in this good showing. If you have printed the Petition Form, and collected signatures, please email them to me, as soon as possible, so I can update our records. It must be noted, all signatures were freely given by the registered residents, who were all outraged by this whole affair. So far, we have encountered only one resident, to my knowledge, who was in favor of this project, and he was, apparently, seen hanging around with the WasteStream folks.
Thank you!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
When A Match Is Put To The Water It Starts A Fire! - By Denise Nekrash
Funny how serendipity can happen...I just had two customers from Montreal in.
They commented on how much they love Hawi and how beautiful it is. One of the ladies said "and hopefully it will stay this way'". I then replied funny you should say that because we all hope so too. And then I went on to tell her in a "nut shell" that a gasification plant is trying to be pushed through against the will of the community. She offered to write a petition from Montreal and post it on her site as well as www.care2.com ( I think that is the site) that is world wide for environmental protection. Her name is Lina and her website is www.activert.org She is planning to make a documentary on the endangered Monk Seals here in Hawaii.
She absolutely loves Hawaii and eco-friendly companies. She promised that she would get on this, she is here until March 13. She also mentioned that the government pushed through for a gasification plant in Montreal and the people have told them that they will not be re-elected. When a match is put to the water it starts a fire! Now the government is saying it is a bad idea, and they are keeping the existing one but will not build anymore. She would be an excellent person for you to speak with Frank. I can give you her phone number if you like.
_______________________________ End _______________________
Comment by Frank JM:
Gasification? Yes, let us not forget, Bob Martin was quoted, November 11, 2010 by West Hawaii Today, as having said," If gasification ever happens in North Kohala, it will be somewhere else" It does not matter where in North Kohala, it is harmful anywhere on the Island, not just near Ainakea.
They commented on how much they love Hawi and how beautiful it is. One of the ladies said "and hopefully it will stay this way'". I then replied funny you should say that because we all hope so too. And then I went on to tell her in a "nut shell" that a gasification plant is trying to be pushed through against the will of the community. She offered to write a petition from Montreal and post it on her site as well as www.care2.com ( I think that is the site) that is world wide for environmental protection. Her name is Lina and her website is www.activert.org She is planning to make a documentary on the endangered Monk Seals here in Hawaii.
She absolutely loves Hawaii and eco-friendly companies. She promised that she would get on this, she is here until March 13. She also mentioned that the government pushed through for a gasification plant in Montreal and the people have told them that they will not be re-elected. When a match is put to the water it starts a fire! Now the government is saying it is a bad idea, and they are keeping the existing one but will not build anymore. She would be an excellent person for you to speak with Frank. I can give you her phone number if you like.
_______________________________ End _______________________
Comment by Frank JM:
Gasification? Yes, let us not forget, Bob Martin was quoted, November 11, 2010 by West Hawaii Today, as having said," If gasification ever happens in North Kohala, it will be somewhere else" It does not matter where in North Kohala, it is harmful anywhere on the Island, not just near Ainakea.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Kohala Mountain News Spin or ...?
Aloha,
In an article, entitled "Site Selection for Zero Waste Park Update", published February 26th 2011, the following fly in the ointment (spin or ...?) was detected. This article states the following, among other things.
The Editor, who did make an attempt to verify the opinion expressed in my letter, published in the same issue, failed, apparently, to do so in this case. The fact that no author is shown for this article, it appears, the Editor is entirely responsible for it. WasteStream's king pin is also the business manager of the Kohala Mountain News. Could this perhaps explain the spin detected again and again?
As an aside, this article also claims that this "new task force", which is really the old WasteStream task force with Peter Klika added, is not part of WasteStream Kohala. This spin, appears to be designed to make us believe WasteStream is no longer subject to the Sunshine law. Whoever is searching and deciding, for the County, which site should be used for the Zero Waste Park, is subject to the Sunshine law. It's that simple.
In an article, entitled "Site Selection for Zero Waste Park Update", published February 26th 2011, the following fly in the ointment (spin or ...?) was detected. This article states the following, among other things.
"The new task force has an objective of finding an alternative to the site located near 'Ainakea, but will support that site if no other workable location is found." Emphasis added.Peter Klika, who is the only new member of this "new task force", stated in his blog of February 21st 2011,
"I am confidant there are other more suitable sites and will never support the old proposed site which is too close to Ainakea and unsuitable for many other reasons." Emphasis added.Whom should we believe? I put my trust in Peter, he has, in fact, a lot to lose should this waste facility show up at his very backyard. I think the statement in the Kohala Mountain News article, quoted above, is a veiled preparation for us, to live with the fact that the current site selected is reality, and nothing will change that, in their opinion.
The Editor, who did make an attempt to verify the opinion expressed in my letter, published in the same issue, failed, apparently, to do so in this case. The fact that no author is shown for this article, it appears, the Editor is entirely responsible for it. WasteStream's king pin is also the business manager of the Kohala Mountain News. Could this perhaps explain the spin detected again and again?
As an aside, this article also claims that this "new task force", which is really the old WasteStream task force with Peter Klika added, is not part of WasteStream Kohala. This spin, appears to be designed to make us believe WasteStream is no longer subject to the Sunshine law. Whoever is searching and deciding, for the County, which site should be used for the Zero Waste Park, is subject to the Sunshine law. It's that simple.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Report From Peter Klika, Esq.
Aloha,
Sorry for the delay. I've been preparing for a mountain expedition to Nepal. I leave Tuesday and have been a bit crazed with last minute details. There will be an article in the next Kohala Mountain News about the committee's work to date. The short version is that about six potential new sites are being considered all of which are west of Hawi Hill Road. In addition, expanding the existing facility is still an option but may not be the best site for way in the future as the community grows. The old proposed site near Ainakea remains off the table but a very remote possibility if there are no other suitable sites. I am confidant there are other more suitable sites and will never support the old proposed site which is too close to Ainakea and unsuitable for many other reasons. I will return in mid-May and it is unlikely I will be able to add any additional information until then as I will have no way to communicate from Cho-Oyu basecamp. Aloha. Peter .
Sorry for the delay. I've been preparing for a mountain expedition to Nepal. I leave Tuesday and have been a bit crazed with last minute details. There will be an article in the next Kohala Mountain News about the committee's work to date. The short version is that about six potential new sites are being considered all of which are west of Hawi Hill Road. In addition, expanding the existing facility is still an option but may not be the best site for way in the future as the community grows. The old proposed site near Ainakea remains off the table but a very remote possibility if there are no other suitable sites. I am confidant there are other more suitable sites and will never support the old proposed site which is too close to Ainakea and unsuitable for many other reasons. I will return in mid-May and it is unlikely I will be able to add any additional information until then as I will have no way to communicate from Cho-Oyu basecamp. Aloha. Peter .
Sunday, February 20, 2011
From Which Corner Of The Mouth Should He Speak, Asked The Man?
Aloha,
Due to my car's battery problem (needed charging), I arrived approximately at 11:45 a.m. at the February 19th meeting of the 'NK_CDP ‘Annual Community Meeting’. My Battery’s timing was perfect, within two minutes of my arrival, the chairman of the CDP, Bob Martin, explained to the audience that the selected site for the waste facility is, for now, on hold, due to the rejection by the community, and they are trying to revisit this subject by looking for an alternative site someplace else. He figured this very difficult task should be complete by June of this year. He complained about shooting of the messenger is going on, and plenty of not in my backyard, etc.
Speaking of backyard, most of the individuals, if not all, living near the present waste transfer station, are the very ones, desperately trying to get it out of theirs. And, as Peter Klika so aptly stated Nov. 10, 2010 at the WasteStream meeting, these folks will gain in their property value, if they can pull it off, while Ainakea property values will drop by 25%, in his opinion, as a retired land attorney. And, Peter knows what he is talking about. When these folks bought their homes, the transfer station was already there, so they made a conscious decision to move there anyway, whereas, folks in Ainakea had no transfer station near them when they bought their homes. See the difference? Very likely, some folks in Ainakea would not have bought property near a waste processing station. Granted, some folks like the ones pushing for moving the existing station now, would have perhaps bought anyway, and like others, would have gotten the property cheaper because of it.
Bob Martin next invited comments from the audience, and when it was my turn, I asked him, that in light of the overwhelming rejection of the current selected site, near Ainakea, is he now prepared to remove this site permanently from the list? He said, that he simply shelved this site, but is not prepared to remove it from the list. I then asked him, if you are unable to find another suitable site, are you prepared to go back to the current site near Ainakea, despite the fact that in a democratic society the will of the majority should prevail? He gave me a smirk, and said probably not. I told him that he is now talking out of both corners of his mouth. He then asked me from which corner of his mouth I want him to talk. I refrained from answering this silly comment. How about talking straight for once. What is going on here borders on mental cruelty. If they probably would not go back to the original site selected, as stated, why not take it permanently off the list? Two reasons could explain their position. One, they have no intention to abandon the current selection, or they enjoy seeing the community anxious about this issue? By God, what power we have, they must be thinking. It will be interesting to see, if they can match the power of the EPA.
When I asked him, what happened to the good plan they had in 2008, he answered, I will tell you in private, but I am not prepared to state it in public. I just love this kind of reply; it shows the true 'Modus-operandi' of this organization. Heavens forbid, the public should have this kind of information. And, this kind of thinking is the reason why Hawaii enacted the 'Sunshine Law', and our Government put into the books a law, known as the 'Freedom of Information Act'. Needless to say, I am not interested in hearing this hidden information in confidence, for I would surely share it with the public at large. How condescending was that, as far as the wider audience was concerned? What autocratic and arrogant behavior this organization displays, again and again. Finally, Bob Martin invited me to join them, to which I replied, “I will join you under one condition, that you remove the site near Ainakea, permanently.” He declined, and one of his followers, shouted, ”thank you very much!
CDP/WasteStream, I invite you to prove me wrong, but my instinct tells me, we will have a dog and pony show until June, and then guess what? We will be right back to the site near Ainakea homes, it will again be the only suitable site, but only according to some interested parties, who will benefit from the destruction of the quality of life in our community, a community they so very much care for, so they say. But, actions speak louder than words. Do we really all look that stupid? And no, I did not stay for lunch; I came for answers and not lunch. All this double talk dished out was more than a sane person can stomach. Of interest to note is also that the CDP was well protected by two able-bodied security officers. I don't know about them, I felt pretty secure.
Now is the time to write to the EPA, as suggested in my earlier blog; don't wait till June.
Due to my car's battery problem (needed charging), I arrived approximately at 11:45 a.m. at the February 19th meeting of the 'NK_CDP ‘Annual Community Meeting’. My Battery’s timing was perfect, within two minutes of my arrival, the chairman of the CDP, Bob Martin, explained to the audience that the selected site for the waste facility is, for now, on hold, due to the rejection by the community, and they are trying to revisit this subject by looking for an alternative site someplace else. He figured this very difficult task should be complete by June of this year. He complained about shooting of the messenger is going on, and plenty of not in my backyard, etc.
Speaking of backyard, most of the individuals, if not all, living near the present waste transfer station, are the very ones, desperately trying to get it out of theirs. And, as Peter Klika so aptly stated Nov. 10, 2010 at the WasteStream meeting, these folks will gain in their property value, if they can pull it off, while Ainakea property values will drop by 25%, in his opinion, as a retired land attorney. And, Peter knows what he is talking about. When these folks bought their homes, the transfer station was already there, so they made a conscious decision to move there anyway, whereas, folks in Ainakea had no transfer station near them when they bought their homes. See the difference? Very likely, some folks in Ainakea would not have bought property near a waste processing station. Granted, some folks like the ones pushing for moving the existing station now, would have perhaps bought anyway, and like others, would have gotten the property cheaper because of it.
Bob Martin next invited comments from the audience, and when it was my turn, I asked him, that in light of the overwhelming rejection of the current selected site, near Ainakea, is he now prepared to remove this site permanently from the list? He said, that he simply shelved this site, but is not prepared to remove it from the list. I then asked him, if you are unable to find another suitable site, are you prepared to go back to the current site near Ainakea, despite the fact that in a democratic society the will of the majority should prevail? He gave me a smirk, and said probably not. I told him that he is now talking out of both corners of his mouth. He then asked me from which corner of his mouth I want him to talk. I refrained from answering this silly comment. How about talking straight for once. What is going on here borders on mental cruelty. If they probably would not go back to the original site selected, as stated, why not take it permanently off the list? Two reasons could explain their position. One, they have no intention to abandon the current selection, or they enjoy seeing the community anxious about this issue? By God, what power we have, they must be thinking. It will be interesting to see, if they can match the power of the EPA.
When I asked him, what happened to the good plan they had in 2008, he answered, I will tell you in private, but I am not prepared to state it in public. I just love this kind of reply; it shows the true 'Modus-operandi' of this organization. Heavens forbid, the public should have this kind of information. And, this kind of thinking is the reason why Hawaii enacted the 'Sunshine Law', and our Government put into the books a law, known as the 'Freedom of Information Act'. Needless to say, I am not interested in hearing this hidden information in confidence, for I would surely share it with the public at large. How condescending was that, as far as the wider audience was concerned? What autocratic and arrogant behavior this organization displays, again and again. Finally, Bob Martin invited me to join them, to which I replied, “I will join you under one condition, that you remove the site near Ainakea, permanently.” He declined, and one of his followers, shouted, ”thank you very much!
CDP/WasteStream, I invite you to prove me wrong, but my instinct tells me, we will have a dog and pony show until June, and then guess what? We will be right back to the site near Ainakea homes, it will again be the only suitable site, but only according to some interested parties, who will benefit from the destruction of the quality of life in our community, a community they so very much care for, so they say. But, actions speak louder than words. Do we really all look that stupid? And no, I did not stay for lunch; I came for answers and not lunch. All this double talk dished out was more than a sane person can stomach. Of interest to note is also that the CDP was well protected by two able-bodied security officers. I don't know about them, I felt pretty secure.
Now is the time to write to the EPA, as suggested in my earlier blog; don't wait till June.
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