YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan — Capt. Dan Weed, the commanding officer for Yokosuka Naval Base, hosted a town hall meeting Tuesday at the base theater.
The following is a summary of the questions asked and the answers Weed gave:
Do you think that active-duty personnel, particularly officers, spend too much time on the waiting list for housing?
We are rewriting the housing instruction so the priority goes to active-duty servicemembers. The goal is to have 6 percent of base housing occupied by civilian personnel. It currently stands at 8.8 percent.
What should base residents do about pest control, specifically insects?
Get with the housing office. The base has facilities that are specifically tailored to address pest-control issues.
Why is the cost of child care based on a rank-based sliding scale?
The price of child care is set by the Department of the Navy, and is based on total family income. The idea is that the cost of child care be the same percentage of total income, regardless of that total income.
Why doesn’t Yokosuka offer driver’s education for high school students?
The base doesn’t have a person qualified to teach the course. The base is currently searching for a qualified instructor. Any teachers who might be interested in teaching the class should contact the base safety officer.
Why is the base unable to hold parents accountable for their children’s behavior?
The base commander has a limited number of corrective measures available. The base commander cannot punish the parents. It is against DOD policy. The base commander can assign community service for minor offenses and debar people from the base for major offenses. But it is incumbent on parents to be positive role models for their children. The Fleet and Family Service Center offers classes on positive parenting.
Do base taxi cab drivers need a special driver’s license?
No. All you need to be a taxi driver is a USFJ driver’s license.
Do volunteers for base-sponsored activities have to undergo any background investigation or screening?
All volunteers receive a local screening through base security.
Why doesn’t Yokosuka’s base high school have a lunch program?
There is not enough interest from the children and their parents to sustain a lunch program. If enough interest is shown in a lunch program, the base will re- address the issue.
Would it be possible to have another crosswalk installed in front of the base chapel?
The street along the chapel has a 15 kilometer per hour speed limit, and people don’t always use the crosswalks that are already in place. The base will take a look at the issue.
