Will HSTA Report Expenses for 6,000 Lobbyists?

Dear Editor:            February 16, 2017

I'm wondering whether the HSTA will report its 6,000 paid lobbyists at the Capitol on Teacher Institute Day as an 'in-kind' expense. It can't be a salary expense as the HSTA didn't pay the lobbyists: the taxpayers' DOE, under contract with the HSTA, did. I estimate, at average $45K salary, 180 working days, 7 hours/day, labor burden of 1.3 X earnings that the 6,000 paid lobbyists that day cost us about $1,900,000.00.

Looking up the history of Teacher Institute day Joan Husted says it has become a day of professional development with speakers and workshops. In the early days it often included the teachers "hearing about lobbying, political activities, and negotiations." Has it now become 'rent-a-crowd' or 'hire a mass of lobbyists' for actual political action on the taxpayers' dime?

DOE by telephone inquiry says TID is 'in the contract.' The contract names it, but it is completely undefined. History posting says courts defined it as a work day when a teacher once got hurt on TID.

Boyd Ready

Haleiwa, Oahu

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Falls of Clyde: Ige Ignores Call from British Parliament

Dear Editor,       February 13, 2017

The silence from the Governor’s office in response to a British politicians request for a stay of execution for this U.S. Historic Landmark is deafening.

The politician Alison Thewlis M.P. has now been prompted to raise the matter in the British House of Parliament in the form of a question to the Foreign Secretary Mr. Boris Johnson.

Why is the state of Hawaii prepared to spend an estimated $1.5m of taxpayers money to dispose of the ship, when if he just spoke to the M.P. he would learn of the interest in Scotland in saving this unique ship.

We are all awaiting a response from Governor Ige’s office.

Matson Shipping have been approached for their support as previous owners responsible for bringing the Falls of Clyde to Hawaii in the past, they are considering how even they can assist us in this mission.

Here in Scotland we are working to find a dry dock, new home which we believe will become a major tourist attraction.

Part of our plan is that once she is restored and can be put back to sea that she becomes a Sail Training and Campus Afloat community college offering opportunities to all.

Many thanks for reading this appeal.

David O'Neill

Save Falls of Clyde

Related: Scottish Nationalists Demand Ige Return Falls of Clyde