Absentee ballots pose own issues

With regards to the new permanent absentee ballots that Richard Borreca is so fond of ( "No more excuses, Hawaii …," Star-Advertiser, July 13), I am wondering what happens if I used an absentee ballot to vote for a candidate who happens to die the day before election day? Will the state return my ballot and allow me to vote for another candidate? Suppose that the day before an election it is revealed that a leading candidate has some skeletons in his closet that are so heinous, not many will want to vote for that candidate any longer. Can I change my vote somehow? Or will a recall vote be the only recourse if that person wins through a preponderance of uninformed absentee ballots? Has the permanent absentee ballot really been thoroughly thought out?

Jobless benefits are no cakewalk

In his commentary "Are unemployment benefits a crutch?" (Star-Advertiser, July 12), Ben Boychuk worries that an extension of unemployment benefits will discourage people from seeking work.

Boychuk is so clueless about the reality of what unemployment benefits really mean for an average working family that one has to wonder why he hasn’t been laid off himself. In Hawaii, for example, the average household numbers about three people and median household income is about $66,000. Unemployment benefits for a worker making that amount is $523 weekly, or just over $27,000 annually. Such a cut in income would only encourage a person to seek work, not live the life of Riley, as Boychuk apparently believes.

Leaf blower noise ruins life, health

I can’t help but be disappointed with your comment on leaf blower noise: "The City Council, it seems, could take a pass on this one" (Star-Advertiser, July 13). My wonderful neighbor across from my residence uses a very loud leaf blower on every inch of his more than one acre property. I tried talking with him about this excessive noise including leaf blowing at 9:30 p.m. His brief reply was "Sue me."

I worked very hard for 40 years before retiring, and this leaf blower noise is driving me out of my home and ruining my health. Beside the leaf blower noise is the pollution and small particles generated which attacks and aggravates the health of numerous citizens. I suggest you should support the immediate ban on leaf blowers.

Why exempt government?

Why are government agencies exempt from the leaf blower ban? Because the only thing louder than a leaf blower is a screaming union representative. The actions of the City Council would be hilarious if they weren’t so destructive to small businesses.

BOE should get public input

I disagree with John Kawamoto ("BOE should know what it’s looking for," Star-Advertiser, July 13). Our state’s elected legislators are expected to lead and seek input from constituents. I believe our elected Board of Education should also seek our input, including the qualities to look for in a superintendent.