The short-term memory of blogger David Shapiro and his assessment of the Lingle administration is almost comical. Throughout the past seven years, this administration has been fighting uphill battles and cleaning up the messes of a Democratic establishment that has entrenched this state into countless union contracts. The dependence of the people in this state on government funds is sucking the life out of our economy in these troubled times. Despite these problems, the governor oversaw record budget surpluses in 2006 and 2007 (something I'm sure Mr. Shapiro has conveniently forgotten about).

The blog posting goes on to talk about some of the shortcomings that the state has gone through under the governor's reign. Although she is the current governor of the state, the blame for all of these problems does not rest on her shoulders. In the entire state of Hawaii, there are nine Republicans who are currently serving elected positions. Gov. Lingle has become a public punching bag while her Democratic counterparts, who control both chambers of Congress, hide in the shadows and let her take the fall. There should be accountability for the entire government, not just one person.

JUSTIN GLASGOW | Honolulu

B&BS HAVE NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OAHU

By allowing Bill 7 to pass, the City and County of Ho-nolulu would be promoting an explosive increase in bed-and-breakfast operations, which negatively impact Oahu. It has been made clear through citizens' testimony, neighborhood boards and other community organizations that a majority of residents do not want to further commercialize their neighborhoods by legalizing B&Bs.

Excessive and illegal transient rentals:

• Contribute to reducing the affordable rental market for local residents.

• Drive up home prices by turning residential properties into commercial enterprises.

• Increase property taxes for local residents by disproportionately increasing home values.

• Replace local businesses with merchants catering to the tourist industry, changing the hometown character of towns such as Kailua.

• Promote commercial operations renting water-sports equipment such as kayaks (these companies are inundating Kailua and Lanikai beaches, and often create user conflict and safety problems).

• Hurt the hotel industry and Local 5 because tourists spending large sums of money renting residential homes are not staying in legal transient rentals and hotels.

The long-term effects of vacation rentals in residential neighborhoods are devastating and Bill 7 sets a bad precedent for all of Oahu. This legislation must not be passed!

SEN. FRED HEMMINGS | District 25

PROPER SANITATION TAKES A TEAM EFFORT

KITV recently aired several stories about sanitation problems in Chinatown. What began as a report on the impact of budget cutbacks on the Sanitation Branch has turned into a story implying that restaurants are the sole cause of health and sanitation problems in the Chinatown community.

In Chinatown, as in other communities where rubbish and trash are left on sidewalks and alleyways, rodents, feral animals and (unfortunately these days) people will be attracted. Combined with cutbacks in the Sanitation Branch, this is a problem for all of us.

It's regrettable that there may be some dining establishments that contribute to the problem in Chinatown. But to imply that restaurants and food service venues are entirely the cause is incorrect. Customer and employee health and safety are paramount in our industry. The training and education opportunities available, the rules and regulations that the industry is required to follow and the self-imposed policies and procedures that many have established for their companies are impressive.

We need to work together for all of the businesses in Chinatown to protect a thriving community where kamaäina and visitors want to visit, live and work.

CHRIS COLGATE | Chairman, Hawaii Restaurant Association

HIKE PUNISHES THOSE WHO PAY QUARTERLY

Not sure if this is newsworthy enough for your paper but it seems the increase in school bus fare is not fair across the board. As written from the DOE letter to parents, "Students who already purchased an annual bus pass for 2009-2010 will not be charged the increased bus fare for the second quarter." Only those families that pay quarterly are affected, which means we are paying double the price where those who paid in full get a discount.

How is that fair for everyone? Those families that pay quarterly usually do so to pay in increments to spread the payments throughout the year for financial reasons but yet we are the ones most affected. Shouldn't it be equal across the board?

LISA DAU | Mililani

PROPOSAL INITIATES IMPORTANT DIALOGUE

The timing of the proposal from the city to rename the area we call Magic Island after President Obama may have taken some people by surprise because it's early in his administration. Plus it comes at a time when we are very busy trying to solve some pretty tough problems.

Having said that, it is important to have new and positive ideas to consider and to have a conversation about how, where and when to recognize the first Hawai'i-born American POTUS. There are already schools, streets and parks named after President Obama across America and the world.

Hawai'i residents ought to begin this public discussion, and the mayor performed a service by initiating it.

BRIAN SCHATZ | Spokesman, Hawaii for Obama

MAYOR'S RENAMING PROPOSAL NAUSEATING

When I heard that Mayor Hannemann wants to change the name of Äina Moana to "President Barack Obama Park" I just about hurled. Are you kidding? I'm still gagging.

While we can't make ends meet for public schools, senior and homeless programs, Mayor Mufi proposes to waste precious public assets to change the name of a park. I used to work in redevelopment and know that changing facility signage can cost in the tens of thousands in addition to the staff time necessary to effect the change.

Further, I happen to be among those who like the name Magic Island. I don't like "President Barack Obama Park." It's boring. It doesn't have a ring to it. It won't inspire visiting tourists (at least not until the president succeeds at something big). It's too long.

On the length issue, maybe Mayor Mufi should go for a shorter version like "BO Park." Less letters, less cost. Then he could forward a proposal to turn it into a homeless-only enclave and win a Nobel Prize of his own.

All kidding aside, if this proposal is indicative of Mayor Mufi's priorities, he's lost my vote for any office he may seek in the future.

STEVE SUE | Honolulu