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Testimony against Bi11345 City 8c County of Hawaii Council Meeting February 07, 2007 <br /> I am against Bill 345 stating that a group of not more than eight unrelated persons, plus <br /> any program staff living in a facility licensed by the DOH and the amendment "if more <br /> <br /> than one dwelling on a lot the number of unrelated persons in each dwelling shall not <br /> exceed five, plus any program staff." At this juncture I wish to request that the Chair <br /> summarize Bi11345 with the pending Amendment introduced by Councilperson Ford at <br /> the Council Meeting held on January 19, 2007 after I have finished my Testimony. It <br /> should be noted that according to Roberts Rules of Order in the matter of tie votes in <br /> which a pure majority is required the motion on the floor is killed. If eight is the answer <br /> than the Council should come to a consensus that eight unrelated persons per Tax Map <br /> Key with no exceptions, as a limit of clients in the Group Living Facility. The number <br /> eight seems to be the magic pill to the proponents of Bi11345. We no longer will be <br /> subject to a suit from the Fair Horsing people with the eight clients per TMK. <br /> Safeguards such as following DOH Rules & Regulations, proper licensing, adherence to <br /> all Conditions, Covenants and Restrictions of the Subdivision, facility is properly staffed <br /> and reviews on a timely basis of the Group Living Facility where the clients are youths <br /> and adults with drug, alcohol, mental and sexual problems. <br /> Who is driving the bus? I bring this question up as many of you are aware of House Bill <br /> No. 722 Title: County Ordinances Invalid; Minimum Separation of Facilities. Phis Bill if <br /> passed into law states any county ordinance that prohibits a group living facility <br /> providing for the health care needs of individuals from being located with any specified <br /> distance from another group living facility that does not provide for the health care need <br /> of individuals shall be void as against public policy. How do you as individual Council <br /> members or the Council feel about this H.B. No. 722? I was shocked and surprised as I <br /> got involved with Bill No. 345 the State DOH can dictate who are to be my neighbors <br /> and I am powerless to object. With the passage of H.B No. 722 I may be surrounded by <br /> Group Living Facilities. I have seen over the past four years that the State Government <br /> has been micro-managing the four Counties in the State of Hawaii in the areas of <br /> highways, land management, education, environmental issues and other areas that <br /> directly impact us residents of the C&C of Hawaii. Do you see a further encroachment of <br /> the State in the affairs of this County? Will the Mayor and County Council play more of <br /> a caretaker role in the operations of the C&C of Hawaii? I fumly believe that the Big <br /> Island is unique in our land area, climate, people, economy, communities, and history. <br /> We should take control of our destiny. I call upon you the members of the Council take <br /> the Big Island to a leadership position that says to the rest of the State that we are <br /> different and show that we are independent thinkers. <br /> Summary: Current status of Bi11345 along with Amendments currently being discussed <br /> or any new Amendments that may be brought to the floor. What is your position on H.B. <br /> No. 722 and your opinion of the encroachment of the State in the affairs of the CBtC of <br /> Hawaii? <br /> Hiroshi Kozohara <br /> P.O. Box 52 <br /> Kurtistown, HI 96760 <br /> Comm. No. ~ ~Z' <br /> Ref. To: f%~- <br /> Ref. Case <br /> <br />