It was reported that the County Council approved the purchase of land in Waikapu for a central baseyard (The Maui News, Aug. 4). I vaguely recall during the mayor's very first term an announcement of a similar central baseyard, but the land was to be donated by the owner. What happened?
More importantly, the article left several very important questions unanswered like: the cost of building the baseyard; the cost of moving the maintenance personnel and equipment to the new baseyard; what happens to the vacated facilities; who will be responsible for the operations of the new baseyard; and most important, what is the anticipated savings that will result from this merger, both initially and on a continuing basis?
Let's hope that this is not more foolish spending like the $1.5 million, even if it's a federal grant, on a study of expanding the Wailuku municipal parking and then decide to do nothing because of a lack of funds (The Maui News, Aug. 18).
Unfortunately, I suspect the land, if acquired, will sit vacant for years and the purpose of its acquisition will be forgotten.
Let's hope the council and the people will be made aware of the true cost of the central baseyard project before the land acquisition is initiated. I suspect this administration does not know.
Ken Taira
Haiku
