Frustrated and angry is the feeling I'm left with after reading about councilors paying staff bonuses (The Maui News, May 12).
Why was a Freedom of Information Act request required to get this information?
All the councilors would surely say, "Trust me." Yet attempts seem to be made to keep these gifts of taxpayer funds secret.
Arguments about hard workers, no overtime pay, etc., leave me wondering, "So what?" Few of us who have eight-hour jobs ever work just eight. Sometimes overtime pay is available and many times not, but the work gets done.
If the councilors feel they should provide bonuses, let them do it from their own salaries or bring it up at open meetings for discussion.
All councilors occupy a position of trust, they are models of behavior for all of us, particularly students. Gifts of taxpayer funds should never be kept secret or hidden from public view and discussion.
What other public discussions are the councilors afraid of?
Mike Patrick
Kihei
