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Page 1 of 2 Murashige, Laura From: Anuhea Reimann-Giegerl [franzanuhea@yahoo.com] _ , . , v r Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2007 12:36 PM - - ~ ~ To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us Subject: Bill 175 -Charter Amendment Creating Windward and Leeward Planning G'dmmissions To Whom It May Concern: I strongly support Bill 175 because it is the mechanism we need to allow the county policy makers and implementors to deal constructively and harmoniously with the exploding population of the Big Island and to deal with it sooner than later. Up to now, the overwhelmed and overworked planning commission has been unable to meet the needs of the rapidly growing county population and to mitigate all the problems created by that growth. Chris Yuen has admitted that the current single commission is overloaded. The proposal for two commissions to share the workload is a no-brainer to me. Two hands are always better than one. We must do now what we must to diffuse the daily tension and stress created by more and more people residing in the limited area of this island. Two planning commissions will go a long way toward achieving that goal. There is no doubt that a successful solution will cost us but what is the alternative? Ignoring the problem and forcing an overworked and overwhelmed single commission to make decisions on serious matters affecting the daily routines of residents of the entire island has not worked. A resnonsible two-body commission will have to recognize the additional administrative costs and control its spending accordingly. I don't see the logic behind the idea that atwo-body planning commission would automatically guarantee development approval and fast track. It is the responsibility of the planning commission to determine whether or not a proposed project is harmonious with and meets the needs of the community they serve. If the project does not meet the community needs, why would the project be approved in the first place and in the second place faster, comprehensive and responsible action from the planning commission is precisely what we're trying to achieve with this proposal. And since the work of the proposed two-body commission would be overseen by one director who would advise the county mayor and county council, all of whom should have the needs and interests of the ENTIRE county at heart, the idea that atwo-body commission would inherently divide the county is an idea I don't get. I would trust that the planning director, county mayor and council council and their collective knowledge of the entire county's needs plus their commitment and cooperation in meeting those islandwide needs would be the cord that keeps the island together as one unit. If the planning director, mayor or council members do not have the public interest at heart, they should not be serving in any county capacity. Period! It will take a lot of creative thinking to make this plan work. We should not permit our fears about the cost of this plan, its perceived fast track impact upon development projects or its perceived effect upon the unity of the county paralyze us into inaction. We have problems that must be resolved NOW. Bottomline is this: a plan is only as good as those who execute it. If we have 14 commissioners truly dedicated to the needs and safety of the public they serve then we should not have a division of the county or hasty and irresponsible decisions of the planning commissioners. We must therefore spend our time figuring out how to make this proposed two-body commission work successfully instead of how to sabotage it. Do you have a better solution to propose? If so, let us hear it. If not, get to work on this plan. Comm. I'ta ~o ~v 2 . ~ 9 Ref. Tw h~.du.?tGi ~ 11/7/2007 Ref. Dote ~ mr 7 9fIfE7 -