Laserfiche WebLink
p ~ ~ HAWAII AGRICULTURAL PROMOTIONAL ASSOCIATION <br /> ' ' ~ P.O. BOX 1333 • HILO, HAWAII 96721 <br /> Eric Weinert, President TEL: (808) 966-6633 FAX: (808) 966-6900 <br /> Rory Flynn, Public Affairs Director TEL/FAX: (808) 963-5417 <br /> l=; <br /> --a <br /> <br /> April 28, 1997 ~Cp ~ -7 <br /> ,1 <br /> ~C N ~ <br /> Councilman James Arakaki CL, ~ ~I <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> 25 Aupuni Street z~;;, ~ j <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 ~ <br /> D~~ ~ <br /> Dear Councilman Arakaki, v <br /> I wish to extend my deepest appreciation for your courage and principled support for <br /> the proposed ordinance, Bill 62 as amended, to establish apost-harvest irradiation <br /> facility in East Hawaii. <br /> As one who attended the entire marathon Finance Committee meeting of April 24, I <br /> applaud you and your fellow council members for your fairness, patience, and diligence <br /> in listening to the many members of our community who presented testimony that day. <br /> You and your fellow committee members demonstrated a steadfast and memorable <br /> commitment to open county government. <br /> I realize that this issue has troubling and divisive implications for our community. At <br /> the same time, your committee wisely adopted amendments to specify areas for <br /> funding and assure accountability by the Council for all contracted expenditures. Local <br /> growers, too, expect to share in the capital financing of this project and to promote <br /> thoughtful marketing and public education efforts in support of post-harvest quarantine <br /> technology. We welcome your counsel and collaboration in these efforts. <br /> Your vote signified that a fair, rational evaluation of irradiation technology for <br /> quarantine treatment has concluded that the proposed facility is safe and poses no <br /> credible harm to our environment or to the integrity of our agricultural exports. No <br /> degree of emotion, stridency or threats can alter this fact. In this regard, your vote set a <br /> high standard for sound, principled judgment. <br /> Again, mahalo for your courageous support for this initiative to help our farmers and <br /> build our local economy. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> ~ ~ <br /> Rory'plyn~ <br /> comma >~a'L1t.;3! <br /> rii. ~.~011:11~ <br /> iVI. 3~0~ ~~enfad ``1 <br /> )!a[, Deter MAY 0 7 1997 <br /> <br />