COM 1332.033 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Harry Kim Mayor Dixie Kaetsu Managing Director Barbara Koslow Depu[y Managing Director (~DUlltp Df ~A~~[`l 891 Ululani Street • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-821 l Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 103 Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 (808)329-5226 • Fax (808)326-5663 .v 0 September 19, 2008 ~,-~ C ro Ftu ' The Honorable Pete Hoffmann, Chairperson, Y f C13 - and Members ' - ~ - ~ Hawai`i County Council ~`' ti~, f~l' i 333 Kilauea Avenue - w ~-= Hilo, Hawaii 96720 == Re: Veto Message - Bi11326 Draft 2 Plastic Bag Reduction Bill Dear Chairperson Hoffmann and Council Members: Pursuant to Section 3-12 of the Hawaii County charter, I am disapproving Bill 326 Draft 2 and returning it to you. Bill 326 Draft 2 has generated tremendous interest from a large number of people in the community, as evidenced by the amount of letters, emails, and telephone calls received by this office, both in support and in opposition. The Council is to be commended for raising awareness in our community about this important environmental issue. It is clear that people on both sides of this issue do agree on two things: • Plastic bags do not belong in our oceans or loose on our lands. Plastic bags that are not recycled or otherwise properly disposed of contribute to litter problems. However, plastic bags themselves are not inherently evil. They are more practical for some uses than paper bags, and are often reused several times before their ultimate disposal. The true problem is not the bags; the problem is we the people. It is our failure to dispose of bags properly that litters and pollutes our land and oceans. There are two reasons for this veto. First, there are concerns specific to this bill. They relate to certain provisions in the bill and how the bill was handled in regards to public involvement. Second is a more philosophical issue about whether this is the right way to address the environmental problems caused by plastic bags when they are not disposed of properly. The specific concerns with Bi11326 Draft 2 that led to this veto action follow: Comm. No. / 33Z•33 Ref. To:_ Ref. Date 2~~- Hawaii County is an equal opportunity provider and employer.