Finally, we have a forward-thinking voice from our City Council (“Council leader offers a plan to ‘stop the bleeding,’” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 20).

City Council Chairman Ernie Martin has seen the endless money pit the rail has become, which will be a drag on our economy for generations to come.

Since we can’t go back and remove what has already been built, shortening the rail is the only way to be fiscally responsible.

Stopping at the stadium where buses would be waiting is one option. The next option, which is not as optimal because of the lack of parking, would be stopping at the Middle Street bus terminal. Whichever is finally chosen, it would save the rest of our beautiful Oahu from the ugliness that is rail.

As for reimbursing the federal government, stopping the constant escalation of the budget and returning the money would be best for us taxpayers.

Lani Johnson
Salt Lake

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Let commission hire police chief

I want to thank Richard Borreca for his column regarding the Honolulu Police Department and its chief (“Silence grows ominous as Kealoha probes continue,” Star-Advertiser, On Politics, Oct. 20).

I need to clarify that I do not want to have the mayor appoint the chief. I believe that decision should still be in the hands of the Police Commission. I would like to see a Charter amendment voted on next year that would allow the mayor to terminate a police chief with majority support of the Police Commission.

Currently, only the Police Commission can hire and fire a police chief. Since the chief is a department head, the mayor should have the option to fire him, like he does with other department heads, so long as the Police Commission concurs.

The Police Commission concurrence provides a check and balance in this personnel process.

Sen. Will Espero
District 19 (Ewa Beach, Iroquois Point)

Airshow could attract tourists

As an annual visitor to beautiful Hawaii, I wish to say thank you to the United States Marine Corps for hosting the 2015 Kaneohe Bay Airshow. What a great event and credit to all concerned.

This event could become a major tourist activity, if it had better ground transportation from tourist hubs like Waikiki. It was almost impossible to find a way to and from the airshow. TheBus offered no special services, and major tour operators seemed in the dark on getting people to and from this event.

Oahu authorities and tourism operators are underplaying a great and worthwhile event.

Kudos to all the military and their families for their outstanding service.

Michael Braithwaite
Tin Can Bay, Queensland, Australia

Gabbard critical of her own party

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard seems to get a lot of media coverage.

Earlier this year she appeared on Fox News, questioning President Barack Obama for not using the term “Islamic” when referring to terrorists.

This month, she went on MSNBC and stated there should be more Democratic candidate debates. Later, she told The New York Times that she was “disinvited” to the first Democratic debate. Then, in an interview with Andrea Mitchell, she called the Democratic National Committee chairwoman a liar.

Gabbard claims to be an independent Democrat who wants to promote freedom of speech. It always seems that it is about her. The media interviews make her a hero to Republicans, but her outrage is less credible to Democrats.

This reminds me of a line from William Shakespeare: “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.”

Jim Wolfe
Nuuanu

UH needs to be clear on firings

A little fiddling with the terms of contracts for University of Hawaii coaches and others isn’t going to solve the problem of payouts to get rid of employees no longer wanted (“UH contracts must be fixed and be public,” Star-Advertiser, Our View, Oct. 17).

If an employee is terminated “for cause,” he or she should get nothing. But if the employee challenges the dismissal and sues, the university faces legal fees that could easily exceed the amount of money involved in the contract.

That is why the UH regents changed their minds about firing Evan Dobelle “for cause” and instead reached a settlement with him. That’s what is happening with Gib Arnold, although UH claimed it was firing him “without cause” while initially refusing to pay him what he claimed was due him.

The public hates these deals, but the regents have to consider what course of action will be less expensive. It’s the taxpayers, of course, who get the bill.

Carl H. Zimmerman
Salt Lake