GABBARD IS A FINE EXAMPLE OF SACRIFICE

In response to Barbara Williams' Nov. 12 letter, I totally agree that our political leaders should be showing a lot more leadership and making sacrifices like the rest of us. That's why I was proud to read in a Lee Cataluna article a few months back that my senator, Mike Gabbard, gave his pay raise back to the state. As far as I know, he's the only one to do this.

JEFFREY LEE | Kapolei

SYMPHONY

FADING OF ORCHESTRA A SHAME, TRAGEDY

There was a poignant moment during the National Public Radio broadcast of a Milwaukee Symphony concert on Friday, Nov. 6.

A number of renowned conductors and soloists paid tribute to the world-class artistry of Andreas Delfs, upon his departure from Milwaukee to assume the post of conductor of the Honolulu Symphony.

At that very moment, our symphony stood on the brink of bankruptcy, with concerts canceled, the orchestra and staff being disbanded, and the city poised to take back the Concert Hall.

Many long-term subscribers and patrons as well as the orchestra musicians have given beyond their means to try to keep the symphony afloat, but all to no avail.

What a tragedy and shame that the will and a way cannot be found to maintain a viable, full-size symphony orchestra in our community.

Once this priceless asset is gone, it will be very difficult to bring the musicians back and find someone of Maestro Delfs' caliber to "coach the team" again.

PAUL J. SCHWIND | Honolulu

FURLOUGHS

GOVERNOR'S CHANGE OF MIND TOOK GUTS

Lee Cataluna has the right to speculate about the reason for Gov. Lingle to change her mind. After all, we parents are wondering about the same thing. Just last week, we were still struggling to figure out a way to deal with the Furlough Fridays. Now it seems like there is hope.

However, being able to reverse a decision, especially a political kind, takes guts. Our governor has demonstrated that she is both brave and wise to shift the state to the right direction. Now it is left for the legislators and the teachers to come along. Come on! We can do this for our children.

MONICA WU | Honolulu

NEXT TIME, THINK IT OUT FROM THE START

The governor, teachers union and everyone involved should be ashamed of their lame idea for closing down the schools two Fridays a month.

Instead of hashing things out from the start, which could have saved face in front of the nation, it took pressure from the federal government to come up with a plan after the fact.

Education is society's future. Hawaii already has problems keeping up with the Mainland. Taking away teaching days would have increased the problem.

Listen up, everyone: Hopefully there will not be a next time, but if there is, sit down and figure out something no matter how long it takes.

RICHARD C. LEE | Honolulu

HOMELESS

PROVEN, CREATIVE SOLUTIONS NEEDED

While Mary Vorsino's Nov. 13 article suggested a continued increase in homelessness, note that 861 shelter beds were created in fiscal year 2009, which provided more stable living conditions than being unsheltered in a park, beach or doorway. Filling those beds would instantly increase the number of sheltered homeless. Fortunately, those new beds may become permanent housing when shelter is no longer needed.

The 2009 homeless "point-in-time" count also reflected more sheltered homeless, fewer unsheltered along the Leeward Coast and more chronic homeless in urban Honolulu.

Experts agree that permanent supportive housing for chronic homelessness and more affordable rentals in general are critical to addressing homelessness and there are current opportunities that should be considered.

One such opportunity is the River Street "housing first" project in Chinatown which is a national best practice for addressing chronic homelessness. The city proposed apartments with supportive services that could transform the neighborhood by taking homeless off streets and out of doorways.

This week is Homeless Awareness Week. Most of us are well aware of how homelessness impacts our neighborhoods. We must be willing to implement creative solutions that have proven successful for other urban centers.

CONNIE MITCHELL | IHS, The Institute for Human Services

HEALTH CARE

PASSING BILL IS STEP IN RIGHT DIRECTION

The House of Representatives did the right thing, passing a revolutionary health care bill that takes us one step closer to joining the rest of the civilized nations of the world.

It may not be perfect, but it's a huge step in the right direction.

The Republicans, who have already taken themselves out of the real debate on this issue by first voting no, and then offering a terrible alternative to the bills that already passed House and Senate committees, are once again saying no to America and yes to lobbyists.

They claim they want smaller government. But at what price? Do we want a smaller government owned and run by corporate interests? Or a larger government interested in regulating those very companies so they are forced to align themselves with our interests? Neither option is a perfect choice, but the choice is obvious.

Republicans say the public option will run insurance companies out of business. But they will find a way to stay in business. The only difference is, they will have to do it while being fair to its customers.

To those that voted against the bill, I ask one simple question: Whose side are you on?

gary marks | Kíhei, Maui