Berg works hard for his district

I take exception to your endorsement of Alex Santiago for City Council, District 1, instead of Councilman Tom Berg ("Strong choices for City Council," Star-Advertiser, Our View, July 28).

Berg has done more for his district (and many other districts, for that matter) than any member past and present.

The fact that he will not accept the bad decisions of other Council members who take their orders from the power brokers of this state apparently rubs your editors and decision-makers the wrong way.

Unlike the other members of the Council, Berg is the one who has earned his position through constant questioning of so-called facts before he casts a vote. After all, isn’t that the reason we have a City Council? In other words, he is not a "yes" man.

I think a retraction on your "best choice" candidate in District 1 is in order.

James Robinson
Aiea

Unions must get out the vote

Hawaii unions must reach out to their members and get them to vote this election.

Nationally, unions are reeling from Republican attacks. The Wisconsin governor’s efforts to repeal constitutionally guaranteed rights should serve as a cold reminder that no protections are truly safe.

When labor was at its pinnacle during the late 1950s and early 1960s, its foundation was at the grassroots. Labor’s ability to mobilize its membership to support candidates and causes directly led to the passage of workers compensation legislation, the Prepaid Healthcare Act and guarantees for collective bargaining. Unions’ relevancy gave us Govs. John Burns, George Ariyoshi and John Waihee and their respective legacies.

Where is the grassroots support for endorsed candidates today? If unions in Hawaii do not re-establish themselves now, my greatest fear is that they will become irrelevant, and that would certainly lead to the demise of all working people and their families.

Rep. Marcus Oshiro
D-Wahiawa-Poamoho

Paving welcome but suspicious

At long last, Kamehameha Highway on the North Shore of Oahu is being paved (a couple of miles, anyway).

I don’t know whether to be happy, for I am ecstatic that this is finally getting done, or angry.

I get it — it’s an election year.But what do these people do the other 3 1⁄2 years of an election term? Everywhere I’ve gone in the last couple of weeks, there is roadside mowing, trimming, fixing up, etc. Again, why doesn’t this happen all year long, every year?

Jan Olson
Haleiwa

Romney another chickenhawk

Mitt Romney’s tough talk on foreign policy shows why we should always investigate the military service of these free-lunch super patriots.

Like Dick Cheney, John Bolton, Paul Wolfowitz and many other Bush administration hawks, Romney avoided the Vietnam-War draft.

Romney never states his specific solutions to problems like Iran, Syria and Israel, but condemns President Barack Obama’s undocumented "apologies" for U.S. foreign policy.

He hints at war against Iran, military intervention in Syria and total obedience to Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu, allowing him to spend $4 billion in U.S. aid with no criticism for his obstructive, settlement- expanding policy for Israel’s ultraorthodox Jews, who refuse military service despite their provocative, anti-Palestinian policy.

Romney shows great courage in his willingness to risk others’ lives in pursuit of his policies. A true patriot would have risked his own life when called on.

Charles W. Griffin
Honolulu

At-grade rail would cost less

The planned elevated rail system will cost at least $5.26 billion, or approximately, $265 million per mile.

I believe a rail system on the ground could be built for less than a third of the cost and be completed much sooner than the elevated design, which will take at least six years to complete with no change to automobile traffic problems until that time.

If we are to emulate anybody, be like Japan, which has many miles of ground rail all around the coastal stretches of its islands.

Frank Mock
Makiki

Bus inefficiency upsetting riders

What has happened to our once-good bus system?

Old ladies riding standing from Waianae to town. Bus drivers standing up at various times, saying, "Please folks, step back, we have to get seven more people in here." Everyone thinking the same thing: "Boy, when I get my car …" Some even out loud.

Does anyone in town know of this? Throughout the nation they are trying to get more people off the freeway and onto public transportation. It ain’t gonna happen this way. Is anyone aware of this?

Joseph Martel
Nanakuli

15 Craigside has unique policy

Congratulations to the developers of the proposed new retirement complex planned near the Hawaii Convention Center. With our growing percentage of seniors, a new senior living facility is a welcome addition.

Your recent article about the project correctly stated that 15 Craigside has a non-refundable entry fee ("Buyers sought for retirement complex," Star-Advertiser, July 24). However, we believe an important distinction was missed: 15 Craigside and its sister community, Arcadia, are the only senior living residences in the state whereupon payment of a non-refundable entrance fee, residents are provided with care for the remainder of their lives, even if, through no willful depletion, they have exhausted their assets. And, non-refundable entrance fees are substantially less than those communities that offer refundable entrance fees, with or without a lifetime-care guarantee.

Many seek this reasonable lifetime-care guarantee for the great peace of mind it gives not only the resident, but also one’s family.

Emmet White
President, 15 Craigside Nuuanu

Keep hillside free of paint

If there was one good thing that came from the fires on the Kalaheo Hillside in May, it was that it burned away the paint on the large rock face over the Kalaheo High School.

For years, the senior class has carried out the tradition of climbing the hill to spray paint its graduation year on it. Recently, I was disappointed to see that seniors have once again defaced the hillside. The rock face is painted a bright traffic-cone orange that stands out on the blackened hillside for all to see. It’s an embarrassment for our community.

If the senior class wants to start a meaningful tradition that will get noticed in a positive way, volunteer for the Adopt-A-Highway program. The state will even put the class name on a sign for all to see. That would be an enduring tradition that would really advertise school pride without harming the natural beauty of the Kalaheo Hillside.

Jason Garrett
Kailua