CUC and the rate setting commission both claim that the increases are required by statutory requirements for full cost recovery and compliance with federal laws. CUC, however, continues to avoid personnel and other cuts that will result in greater efficiency, improve employee morale and fund its other badly needed projects. No mention is also made of accounts receivable, or the government’s chronic failure to pay its own bill which triggered these raises that are imposed on consumers who do pay their bills.
None of this, however, should come as a big surprise to everyone anymore. This is how the government “works.”
Ugly and unnecessary
LOCAL and federal monies pay for seminars, summits and conferences promoting tourism, eco-tourism and cultural tourism; they fund plans and master plans touting the need to preserve, protect and enhance cultural, historical, environmental, recreational and scenic destinations in the islands. The government has nothing but praise for these activities — while ignoring their recommendations.
The administration points out, lamely, that the Marpi cemetery project, which includes the erection of power poles, was permitted by the feds as though this is enough to justify the disfigurement of one of the island’s most famous scenic sites.
It might also interest the public to know that this cemetery is designed to accommodate 50,000 burials in crypts that are aboveground, like file cabinets. The people need to pay closer attention to government projects as they are announced, because there is no assurance that plans and designs will move forward with due consideration to environmental or economic factors.
Marpi, in any case, is environmentally, historically and culturally significant and should be preserved and protected in perpetuity for future generations to enjoy. However, besides the installation of ugly poles, homesteads have also been planned for the area, which will mar and then eliminate one big draw to this island, creating another socio-economic blight in the process. This a tragedy in the making. It must be avoided.
They flip then they flop
INSTEAD of addressing some of the commonwealth’s most pressing problems, lawmakers worked feverishly to authorize the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to develop and administer a driving class. PSS wisely refused to accept this responsibility, which requires funding this government doesn’t have. But lawmakers are under pressure from teenagers and their parents, voters all, and have decided to strip a private business of its clientele.
A few years ago, the same lawmakers mandated the creation of a driving school, citing public safety, insurance and other compelling reasons. No one, apparently, considered the consequences of implementing the legislation.
Now in amending the law, did lawmakers consult with the insurance industry to find out if the number of fender-benders decreased since the introduction of driving classes? Did lawmakers determine if students who passed the class found it useful? Did it result in a reduction of underage drinking and other driving infractions?
Did lawmakers, in other words, do their homework before shoving another statute down the public’s throat? Of course not. But you the voter will reward them with another term in office.
