SCHOOLS

RECYCLING PROGRAM'S COSTS ARE MINIMAL

As a former resident of Kane'ohe, I wish to add a missing perspective on the cost of running the recycling program at schools.

The cost of $1.2 million represents $1 per person per year for the opportunity to recycle cans, glass, paper and cardboard. This is a very inexpensive service. It should not be viewed as cost recovery or a way to raise funds. It is the true cost of our overuse of packaging and paper. One dollar per person is a small price to pay.

Although the amount of material going into the bins is not large, it does help in reducing landfill. We all know the problems faced recently in trying to find a new landfill site on O'ahu.

Dave Arthur | Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

RENTALS

NO MORE TOLERATING PROPERTY TAX CHEATERS

I support Jack Schmidt's recent letter about making sure the city collects a commercial (i.e. a hotel) rate property tax on owners of B&Bs, but let's do it right by including all of the issues the city should address regarding property taxes.

For example, it should include owners of short-term rentals, too. In addition, there are property owners who are renting out all or a portion of their residences long-term, yet they are receiving the benefit of the homeowner's exemption for their entire residence. There are owners who no longer live in their homes, yet family members are receiving the benefit of the owner's exemption. There are owners who are running businesses out of their property, getting 100 percent of the homeowners residential exemption. There are homeowners who share private roadways with their neighbors, yet these private roads are not in the property tax rolls and therefore not bringing in property tax revenue to the city.

One way for the city to ensure that all property owners are paying their fair share of their property taxes would be to require all property owners to sign and mail in a yearly statement (perhaps it can be in the form of a self-addressed stamped card attached to their property tax assessment) confirming that their property is being used at the property tax rate. If they don't send in their cards, then it is automatically taxed at the highest rate.

Let's be more businesslike about this process and, above all, let's be fair and take additional steps to ensure that all of the owners pay their proper property tax rate. Come on, Mr. Mayor and City Council — let's raise the bar here.

Libby Tomar | Kailua

AIRPORT, LIGHTERS

THERE'S NO NEED TO PAY FOR STORAGE SPACE

A simple solution to the enormous problem of storage of confiscated cigarette lighters at the airport would be to set up bins at the baggage claim areas where arriving passengers could pick them up "free." No more storage problem. No hazmat teams. No fire hazard. What are we saving them for, anyway?

But then, knowing how government functions, maybe a more bureaucratic approach would be to contact NASA, reserve space in the next shuttle and blast them into outer space at a cost of just a few thousand dollars apiece.

Bob Freeman | Honolulu

QUESTIONS

AVOID 'TEACHER-TRAP' IN READING TO CHILDREN

That was a lovely story about the dads in prison learning to read books to and with their children ("Dads talk story," June 24). I think all parents can learn more about how to interact with their children by reading with them.

I would like to add one bit of advice. In the inset "10 Family Reading Tips," it is suggested in point four that parents ask "open-ended questions." Perhaps many well-meaning parents do not understand what open-ended questions are, since our own elementary school teachers did not ask us questions that invite discussion. Rather, parents might think that to help their children, they should ask them school-like questions such as, "Who was the main character?" Questions about the facts can make an intimate reading session feel like an unsavory school lesson to children, making them resist the experience.

I have found that preceding my questions with: "I wonder ..." helps me stay away from the "teacher-trap." Questions from the adult's real curiosity invite deep discussion, such as; "I wonder why he did that?" or "I wonder what would have happened if ... ?"

Jennifer Story | Kane'ohe

GIVE IT AWAY

HARRIS BOOK CRITICS ARE NARROW-MINDED

I do not understand the controversy about what to do with Mayor Harris' book. Burn it? Surely not. It's a lovely book!

I wouldn't buy it, but I have leafed through it in a bookstore. Giving it to convention attendees would be a terrific promotion for Honolulu.

The people who seem most opposed to it now are the same people who were too scared to stand up to Harris during his terms. Now they're taking it out on the book because they didn't have the guts before.

I am really ashamed to be represented by such inept, incompetent and narrow-minded people.

Paul Tyksinski | Kane'ohe

DEADLY

JUST BAN FIREWORKS

If put to a vote, I'd predict a landslide for a total ban on fireworks. The Fire Department seems noncommittal whenever I've asked. It could "Just say no" to permit requests, or try a little harder at legislation, since a referendum is difficult. It seems that the police might feel the same, especially around New Year's Eve. Alcohol and explosives: a deadly combination, but the pyrotechnic lobby has a deep pocket.

Barbara Ikeda | Kaimuki

ARIZONA MEMORIAL

CHARGE VISITORS A $1 FEE

Regarding the need for funding repairs to the Arizona Memorial Visitors Center: Why not charge a $1-per-head fee at the gate? The cause is certainly a worthy one and a fee seems much more justifiable than the $5 charged visitors to Hanauma Bay.

Nolan and Jackie Ezra | Union City, Calif.