Appointed BOE is not the answer

David Shapiro says the education system is showing little progress and that an appointed Board of Education is not the answer to all the problems in the schools, but something has to change ("Few votes in primary show appointed BOE is necessary," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 13).

First of all, your own newspaper reports that state test scores have been rising for the last several years and that Hawaii won $75 million in federal Race to the Top funds.

Even with furloughs, test scores continued to rise last school year.

So how is that upward trend considered little progress?

Second, if an appointed BOE is not the answer, then why should I give up my right to vote, if it won’t result in a better school system? I am not willing to take a chance on my child’s future. 

Shapiro backs the status quo

David Shapiro may want to give up his right to vote for the Board of Education members, but I don’t. I believe in doing my homework and learning about the candidates’ position on issues.

A governor-appointed BOE would not answer my questions, nor would I be assured that board members would advocate for the students and not for the governor’s positions, like 30 furlough days.

Shapiro touts the University of Hawaii Board of Regents as the model of working with the administration. Well, that means a board that is not independent of the bureaucrats and not willing to stand up to the bureaucracy for my child.

Shapiro is in favor of the old boys network, which is really the status quo. After all, there are 150 boards and commissions appointed by the governor. Don’t let the BOE be number 151.

I say keep your right to vote and vote "No" for an appointed BOE.

Eviction easier for homeowners?

Doesn’t anything make sense any more? From what we are hearing, it is now easier to foreclose and auction off someone’s home than it is to evict renters who are many months overdue in their rents. Does Hawaii protect homeowners at least as well as it protects renters? No offense to renters, we have all rented at some time, but this is nuts. 

New mayor rushing on rail

Immediately after the new mayor was elected he voiced his support for rail and raced off to Washington within the next two days. It would seem to me that a little more reasoned approach when you first come into office would be more prudent.

How could you possibly know all of the financial implications of this massive project without studying the finances after you get into office and dig into the details? Seems too speedy and half-cocked.

Do we need it? Maybe. Can we afford it? Probably not. Can we maintain it? Doubtful.

‘The Storm’ lacks aloha spirit

Auwe to those behind to the extremely offensive ad called "The Storm," which attacks Colleen Hanabusa. This is definitely not in the spirit of aloha and is certainly not the way we do things (even during an election) in Hawaii.

‘Red tape’ for tax preparers will protect the consumer

This is a response to Shawn Sherard and other taxpayers who should be interested in the new IRS law that regulates paid tax preparers ("Red tape mugs tax preparers," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 12).

Presently there is no oversight or regulation over the many preparers across the nation who are not certified public accountants or enrolled agents. This is especially true in Hawaii. Anyone can engage in preparing taxes for a fee without any regulations, sanctions or penalties.

The IRS enacted the new regulations to ensure compliance with tax laws, and they may result in penalties and sanctions in those cases where tax preparers knowingly prepare inaccurate returns and intentionally understate or misrepresent client tax liabilities.

Those of us tax professionals too often see the abuses that include padding various deductible expenses, taking deductions the taxpayer is not entitled to and including dependents that the taxpayer is not entitled to, just to name a few.

Personally I welcome the peace of mind that comes from knowing that my preparer is, in fact, qualified to prepare my taxes. Professionally, I applaud the IRS for finally doing something about the many unscrupulous preparers who prey on taxpayers year after year.