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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Rosemarie Wong <br /> P. O. Box 192 <br /> Papaaloa, Hawaii 96780 <br /> Thursday, November 5, 1998 <br /> Dear Council Members of the County of Hawaii, <br /> r Laupahoehoe Community Swimming Pool has always been the pride of our community. <br /> We moved to Papaaloa approximately 19 years ago and knew that this would be the right place to <br /> raise our family. The pool, under the direction of our present Life Guard, Thaes Bowman, has <br /> always been excellently maintained for all. Through all the years that I have lived here, Ms. <br /> Bowman, has been an inspiration to all our children and adults who have come for either lessons <br /> or for recreation at our community pool. She has a positive can-do spirit and has taught hundreds <br /> of children as well as adults who have come through our instructional programs. You should be <br /> proud to know that you have hired one of the best Life Guards, Thaes Bowman..that is, who <br /> dedicates her time and talents to insuring that our community pool is not only a fim place to be but <br /> most importantly is a safe and clean place for all to enjoy. <br /> Therefore, I come before you, council members, with concerns that are heavy in my heart... <br /> and that is a "pilot" program that from what I understand is already in process. IfI have my facts <br /> correct and please feel free to correct me ifI am ATong, these are the concerns: <br /> (1) Sometimes before summer, it was discovered that Stan Roebrig had permission to use <br /> Laupahoehoe Community Pool before regular public hours, since January of this year. <br /> Also, that he was given the rights to receive keys from Laupahoehoe Police Department to <br /> access to the public swimming pool. Ms. Bowman was not initially informed about this <br /> approved activity and I find it very odd not to include her in the initial plans. <br /> (2)To have access to a public swimming pool without the supervision of a Life Guard, as <br /> far as I can recall, is unheard of. Basically for one reason and that is public safety to <br /> prevent future accidents which could arise with costly litigation which could cost lots of <br /> money from our taxes that are already stretched for other important county programs. What <br /> process made it right for Mr. Roehrig to have this privilege? Why was it a privilege for <br /> one person? Why wasn't the general public notified about such special privileges so <br /> that all could benefit? <br /> (3)) Well perhaps the WHYS has lead to this second concern. In the the month of'June a <br /> "pilot program" was developed. I have not seen the policy or agreement for participants, <br /> yet. From what I understand, though, the "pilot program" requires that if a person is to <br /> use the public swimming pool without a Life Guard, the person must pass a swimming test. <br /> After passing the test than the person would have access to the pool without the supervision <br /> of a Life Guard. I find this to be very risky and it's an accident waiting to happen. Also, if <br /> this is a "pilot program" it's not operating as a "pilot program" if the general public has not <br /> been notified of such privileges, as I have not seen any formal public notice notifying our <br /> community. <br /> I'm not against when the pool is being used, but what I disagree on is that the <br /> public pool is being accessible without the supervision of a Life Guard. A person may prove to <br /> be a "strong" swimmer, but whose to say that said person might get a heart attack or perhaps be <br /> injured by a fall, etc. Because it is a public swimming pool, how are we going to insure the safety <br /> of these people who are qualified to use the pool and what insurance do we have about the <br /> cleanliness of the facility? In terms of the use of a public facility, what is good for one is good for <br /> all. When money is tight, we need to take great thought to prevent accidents from happening at the <br /> expense of our taxpayers money. Cumm Ns. 102 y, Oaf <br /> <br /> Respectfully Submitted, ne No. P KID <br /> Tol wes-ented Id W(( <br />