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<br /> Page 1 of 2 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Murashige, Laura <br /> <br /> From: Jim Albertini Ua@interpac.net] <br /> Sent: Sunday, April 30, 2006 8:27 PM <br /> <br /> To: Pilago, K. Angel <br /> Cc: Charmaine Shigemura; Yuen, Chris; Ho, Nelson; Bell, Barbara; Snyder, Janet; LevinfAndy; Higa, <br /> Stacy; Isbell, Virginia; Safarik, Gary; Arakaki, James; Hoffmann, Pete; Holschuh, Fred;)keda, <br /> Donald; Pilago, K. Angel; Jacobson, Bob; Harry Kim <br /> Subject: April 29, 2006 Bill 246 testimony <br /> <br /> U <br /> <br /> -r <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> April 29, 2006 <br /> Planning Committee Chairman Angel Pilago & the Hawaii County Council <br /> Testimony in opposition to Bill 246 <br /> <br /> Bill 246 Grants too much authority to the Hawaii County Planning Director when more authority <br /> should be provided for public participation. <br /> <br /> This is not about Planning Director, Chris Yuen personally. He's a fine, ethical person. I <br /> consider him a friend. This is an issue about power. What we are seeing in Washington is too <br /> much power being concentrated in the hands of the executive. It's a reminder that "power <br /> corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." What we need in the U.S. and in Hawaii is <br /> a shift of power away from executives and toward the grassroots, a government of, by, and for <br /> the people, not the rich and powerful. Public participation can be cumbersome but that is a <br /> part of the price of a vibrant democracy. This county has a recent history of nearly every <br /> development - "Yamashirovilles" that came forward being approved without needed <br /> infrastructure in place. Had more public participation for a quality of life been given its proper <br /> place in government, we may not be in the growing gridlock and land speculation frenzy we <br /> now face. <br /> It's time to do what is pono - put power back to where it belongs, in the hands of "the people" <br /> and take it away from speculative developers who seek big, fast profits at the expense of the <br /> environment and future generations. <br /> <br /> <br /> Jim Albertini <br /> President <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> court r4m 1` 7 <br /> Ref. To, <br /> r n.3 <br /> <br /> <br /> 5/1/2006 <br />