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• • "TO BE OR NOT TO BE" • In recent weeks , much has been said about eliminating the Water Commission and returning the department under the control of the Mayor and the County Council without its semiautonomous status. Arguments used for such statements are that the Water Commission is not needed, the Water Commission is a "rubber stamp" and also, the Water Commission is not accountable for its actions. Other related arguments presented are that the Mayor should be the overall • coordinator for the agencies within the County; and if the Mayor had full control over the department, he •would then be• held accountable to the public. While some of these arguments appear sound in concept, practically, these same arguments will create political problems. We are all aware of politics. In government, politics cannot be separated and. cast aside. Politics is not all bad., but bad politics can create problems which will not be for the good of the community and the public and especially to our water customers. Bad politics arise when special interest groups look only after their own special needs. Bad politics arise when individuals, too, .look at their financial gains . Bad politics arise when political favors or obligations are "paid off" with taxpayers ' monies. • At the present time, the Charter Review Commission has been charged with the responsibility of amending the Charter. Groups such as the UPW, the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, • and the Hilo Contractors ' Association have expressed their desire to abolish the Water Commission. The UPW stated that the workers feel that they are not of the same status as other County .employees and that the department has . not been cooperative in sharing its computer with the County. The combined statements of the Chambers and the Contractors ' Association even went so far as to suggest that the qualifications of the Manager be dropped.