Posted on: Thursday, December 30, 2004

BUREAUCRACY BUSTER

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

Q. I live near Pahumele Park in Kailua and the small park's 10 lights — about 1,000 watts each — go on automatically at 5:30 p.m. and off at 9:45 p.m., rain or shine, filled with people or completely empty. I have sent four letters to Mayor Jeremy Harris in the past five years. Each reply, signed by him, said an on/off switch would be installed soon. The waste of taxpayer money is unconscionable. What's the problem?

A. City spokeswoman Carol Costa said this small park's lighting is controlled from within a building on the site. She understands that what you want is what's called a "permissive switch" which can go outside the building that park users crank when they want the lights on.

That way the lights stay off unless someone comes to the park to use it. But she says that the timers you now can see in some parks are actually old parking meters so they can't just be ordered. The delay with this park is that there are no parts for old parking meters anymore, Costa said. So, she said the Parks Department has asked the Department of Facility Maintenance to try to fabricate the parts needed.

City Managing Director Ben Lee said that your suggestion makes sense and that since this park is undergoing other renovations, he asked that the scope of the project be changed to make sure that your change is included.

With the Harris administration preparing to leave office, we'll have to check back to see what is happening with this project.

Q. I believe that one of my competitors is not telling the truth in his advertising. He is saying that his company is the "original," "the best" and "award-winning." I have tried talking to him but he doesn't want to pay to redo his brochures. What can I do?

A. Stephen Levins, executive director of the state Office of Consumer Protection, said you can file a complaint with his office if you feel that someone is engaged in false advertising. He suggests that you call 587-3222 and ask for a complaint form.

But he also said his office doesn't get involved in situations like this unless the claims are egregious. Words such as "original" or "the best" may constitute puffery but generally would not warrant legal action, Levins said. The term "award-winning" is another matter. The company either won an award or not. If it did not win any award this claim is most likely illegal and should not be made.

Phone: 535-2454 and leave a message. Be sure to give us your name and daytime telephone number in case we need more information.