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Mary Marvin Porter <br /> Island Eyes Video <br /> HCR 1, Box 5505 <br /> Kea'au, Hi. 96746 <br /> Chairman James Arakaki ~ Council Members, <br /> ' RECEIVlD'M~~ <br /> lime_-------~~ ~By - - <br /> TESTIMONY • " - <br /> County Council <br /> I am opposed to the rezoning of agricultural land at the Kea'au <br /> By-pass for the proposed Shipman Gateway Center. <br /> 1. It is only 5 minutes outside Hilo, and not a significant <br /> distance in terms of saving residents in outlying areas on driving <br /> time. <br /> 2. The proposed stores are more of the same kind of stores <br /> xe have in Kea'au except for a proposed drugstore. People are <br /> generaly enthusiatic for a new shopping experience, But we are an <br /> island of limited resources, land base, agricultural soils, etc. <br /> We can't afford to just keep adding large new concrete shopping <br /> centers every few years. <br /> 3.In regards to the issue of "much needed new jobs," the <br /> economic benefit studies aren't looking at the whole picture. <br /> Generaly new retail fobs mean lost fobs elsewhere when other <br /> stores are put out of business. Was there an estimate of jobs <br /> that would be lost? Also in that estimate claim of jobs gained, <br /> how many were temporary construction fobs? <br /> 4. What will be the effect on Hilo as well as Kea'au? <br /> What about the large empty building in Hilo and in our shopping <br /> centers. What about the social instability of people worrying <br /> if their business is the next to "go under." <br /> 5. Is the by-pass a real by-pass or a fancy 4 lane drive <br /> for Shipman Incorporation's enterprises and planned development of <br /> Kea'au to become larger than Hilo. With all the existing realestate <br /> lots in Puna, with a potential development that could <br /> S result in enormous growth in Puna, we need to keep the by-pass a <br /> N by-pass. <br /> ~ 5. With the occasional "monsoon" type rains we get, what <br /> <br /> N ~ W is being done to prevent the run-off from these large new develop- <br /> ~ ments from creating more flood situation. <br /> d <br /> Td. F°+ A 6. Finally, with all the new schools in the Kea'au area we <br /> o w ~ need places for young people, parks with picnic table, walks, bandstand, <br /> ~ ~ ~ etc. Also mom and pop stores of the "soda fountain" type, etc. <br /> <br />