COM 0212.179 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Duncan and Denise Walker Page 2 Teatinwny in Strong Support of Mayor Yamashiro's Reyuested Authority to Spend S2 Million to Build an Eradiation Facility in East Hawai i April 24, 1997 Fact 10: Kraft, Albertson's, Coca Cola, and Foster Farms are on record saying that Food & Water Inc. "has no authorization to represent Utem or titeir positions." Kraft "does not use irradiation but has thoroughly reviewed federal approval and has stated 'we have co~dence in the Food & Drug AdminisVaUon."' Albertson's said "it had not expressed any opposition to irradiation." There is apparently concern of the part of some council members regarding the need fora "market study" to confirm that Utere is a mainland market for irradiated Vopical fruit from Hawaii and/or a "cost-benefit analysis". As small business owners, we appreciate the need for fiscal conservatism and support your concern to "check first and spend later." However, Ule successfW test marketing of irradiated tropical fruit from Hawaii over the past two years eliminates [he need fora "market study," la addition, Isomedix, one of the operators of irradiation facilities is apparently willing to consWCt an irradiation facility here with 51.25 million of its own money, a willingness which certainly is based on studies and/or proof of the marketability on the mainland of tropical fruit from Hawaii. As we understand it, in the event Ulat the irradiation facility is constructed with private money, the S2 million that the mayor has requested will instead be used to market our Vopical fruit on the mainland. In conclusion, we would ask the ceuncil members and the local opponents-What is Plan B? There is no viable alternative to irradiation to treat Vopical fruit other than papayas for export. We an the Big Island are poised at a crossroads: approve Ule mayor's request and allow our blossoming tropical fruit industry ro continue to grow by exporting to the mainland, or deny his request and stifle Ute future growth of our Iceal economy. Two million dollars may seem like a lot of county money to spend, but I can Urink of no better way to spend it today. This investment in our future will be returned many times over to our local economy by stimulating its growth and reducing unemployment; over time, it will even be repaid to the county government in the form of increased tax receipts from increased employment and reduced welfare rolls. We strongly urge the council to approve the mayor's requested authority to spend S2 million to build an irradiation facility in east Hawaii. IRRADFAC.DDC