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i; <br /> <br /> September 10, zooa 2;09 SEP 1 ia(~ 8 3 <br /> <br /> The Honorable James Y. Arakaki <br /> <br /> Chairman, Hawaii County Council <br /> <br /> 25 Aupuni Street <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> RE: BILL # 178 / CLIFTO'S KONA COAST LLC <br /> SUPPORT TO OVERRIDE VETO <br /> Dear Mr. Arakaki and Council Members, <br /> As some of you may recall, I recently had the honor ofpresenting my opinion to <br /> <br /> the Council in person. I come from a family on the mainland that has three different <br /> highway construction/safety businesses. The combined yeazs of which easily pass 300. I <br /> am not an expert on highway safety or traffic flow issues. I have however, been involved <br /> with my families corporation for sometime. I understand basic traffic control and <br /> <br /> planning quite well. In fact, I have reseazched the Manual Uniform of Traffic Control <br /> Devices, (MUTCD is the standard Hawaii follows), very closely. I have it on CD ROM <br /> for this very computer. Basically it comes down to a few principals such as prior <br /> planning, future planning, funding and analysis. The prior planning issues are already on <br /> our door steps from previously poor decisions. We need to look forwazd and plan <br /> accordingly. It isn't rocket science, it is simple traffic planning. I understand Governor <br /> Lingle is prepazed to work with Clifto's to move the widening project along. That in <br /> itself is a monumental move in the right direction. We can't place a moratorium on all <br /> residential building in West Hawaii, therefore it is logical to expect that the population <br /> will continue to grow and as supply and demand for housing changes, so will property <br /> costs. i believe a 20% "affordable" housing commitment is more than fair, in fact I find <br /> it unbelievably generous. The reality is people along the western side of the Big Island <br /> need another place to go for basic needs, somewhere to stop prior to Kailua-Kona. If I <br /> never had to drive past Costco again, I wouldn't. Cliff Morris appears a man of his word, <br /> willing to make historic concessions for a mutually beneficial project. His opposition is a <br /> highly vocal minority that believes false information. I believe that Greenpeace would <br /> see all building projects terminated if they had their way. That isn't practical or realistic. <br /> There is an environmental balance that can be achieved and maintained, and as every <br /> person on this side of the Island and thousands of annual tourists could testify, we have a <br /> serious traffic problem. I urge the Honorable Members to do the right thing and override <br /> the Mayor's veto. I am personally appalled that the Mayor's planning person sat and <br /> testified before your committee a few weeks ago and indicated support for this project, <br /> only to turn and run later. I see this as a test of chazacter and as a retired, service injured, <br /> US Mazine, I find that a true judge of a person. Veto the Mayor and stand for your initial <br /> votes! Mahalo! <br /> Semper Fidelis, <br /> M. McGill, USMC Ret. <br /> Comm. No. S~ <br /> Ref. To:,~ <br /> Ref. Uate <br /> <br />