COM 0056.040 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

of forest are being leveled, unregulated and unchecked, at an alarming pace. Often times it is not the right lot. Post offices have more mail in general delivery than they do in PO boxes. So many people are building that it is difficult to find a contractor to do minor repairs. Schools are bursting with children very close to the highway. There aze many needs. Rental storage comes up for newcomers, snowbirds (summering in our neighborhoods), and people who are in between homes. But schools, medical services and farmers mazkets are what we hear most about, from long time residents. We don't want to travel far, because many of us don't have vehicles, and the bus only work for people who can flex to its once per day schedule and don't mind hitch- hiking or walking a few miles from the drop off back home. If the County wants to see its people, it needs to have more gathering places. There are many reasons to have more community centers, gathering place where communities in substandard subdivisions can assemble together for things such as CDP meetings, County Council meetings (on satellite feed) and any other kind of activity people would gather for. A sustainable one would have a certified kitchen, lots of showers, lots of rooms and activities options, and could serve as an emergency shelter whenever it was needed. Daily it would be an educational center, where nearby residents could be on hand to provide the outreach and education that is most needed today, to all of our welcomed guests and new residents. Imagine it, in part, as a library with interne[, visitor center and "Neighborhood Place" fot the greater Mountain View area. New residents and/or realtors and visitors might walk in looking for information about how to get something done or who to contact for whatever permitting process exists for their proposed projects, etc. There might be a presentation or class of some kind at night that people could attend and learn something useful from, as well as a way to meet neighbors. Classes could provide an education about the environment and living in the forest, what good or bad plants look like, basic fast aid training, volunteer fuefighting, etc., the list goes on. Or, it would go on and on, if there were such a place to do it. To see all of this ignored in favor of up zoning ag lands to satisfy a proposal from a privately owned commercial enterprise that would add an unsightly, hazardous burden to the landscape and public infrastructure, is very sad. It shows no respect for the land, or for the people who have been good stewards of this land and, in their way, creating a very special atmosphere for the Puna district that has attracted more people, good stewards and exploiters, to come experience as they will. I strongly urge you to support good planning efforts and to be the champions of good land stewardship for Hawaii County. Please fmd it in your best interest to oppose bills 220 & 221 and support the Planning Department & the Puna CDP. Sincerely, Kim Tavares Fern Forest Resident Puna CDP Steering Committee 2