The rightly spoken article in last week's paper regarding the chronic water shortage reminds me again what dullards must makeup Aitutaki's Island Council.

Over the last three years I have heard so many islander complaints about a lack of water. Some going weeks without the ability to wash cloths or shower.

Pitiful by my lights when I watch the ridiculously expensive harbour dredging go on and on and on.

There is however an obvious solution and it lies within easy reach.

A $10 "Environmental Impact Fee" on tourists who are on Aitutaki for one day or less.

There I said it.

This would not be a tax because a tax would disappear into the coffers of Rarotonga.

This is a locally imposed fee to offset the degradation of the island’s resources.

1. Ask the island councillors if they have any funds to fix the roads smashed by the over heavy trucks they allowed to be used in the dredging of the harbour.

2. Ask the island councillors if they hold meetings in which the public may attend.

3. Ask the island councillors if they get a reduced rate on Air Rarotonga.

4. Ask the Island councillors why they don't have the $120,000 required to buy proper pumps.

In fairness Aitutaki is a gem of a place because the successive councils have not allowed the island to be developed like Rarotonga, who have killed much of their reef, and will suffer greatly as the sea levels rise.

This innate council ability to do nothing is not however an excuse for irresponsible governance.

I talk to everyone who crosses my path on Aitutaki and have only met one person who did not think a $10 Environmental Impact Fee is not a good idea, and that person was building the big vaka so, no surprise there.

I urge all Aitutaki islanders to poke their councillors and the mayor to do the right thing and make Aitutaki a resilient paradise that serves all its people into the future.

Amen.

Howard Stone .