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Veterans Advisory Committee <br /> Minutes February 26,2019 <br /> Page 2 <br /> Passage of Bill 213: Scope of Veterans Advisory Committee <br /> Chair Doolittle: Bill 213 was inspired by a letter he wrote to Mayor Kim. Chair Doolittle <br /> worked with Council Chair Valerie Poindexter to write Bill 213. <br /> **Insert changed verbiage from Bill 213*** <br /> It opens up the scope of the committee to Veterans, Veterans Cemeteries and the <br /> wellbeing of all Veterans in Hawaii County. Glad to see that's been made a permanent <br /> part of this committee purview. <br /> West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery Gate Hours <br /> Chair Doolittle introduced this topic asking if we've resolved this issue. <br /> Gaspar mentioned in December 2018 there was a Veterans town hall meeting in Kona <br /> and the Veterans were complaining that they can't see the numbers on the lock or they <br /> misplaced their glasses and they can't see the numbers on the combination lock. All other <br /> cemeteries in Hawaii are open the whole day, why not West Hawaii cemetery? <br /> Chair Doolittle explained it's been discussed in past meetings. It would require Parks & <br /> Rec staff to have someone drive out there and open it. <br /> Messina answered, depending on traffic it can be an hour and a half drive for the staff to <br /> get to the cemetery. <br /> Chair Doolittle asked if there's Veterans organizations in Kona that are willing to have <br /> someone open and close the gates at the end of the day. <br /> Wery suggested we hang a magnifying glass at the gate if Veterans are forgetting their <br /> glasses. <br /> Chair Doolittle is recommending the Veterans organizations in Kona have someone who <br /> can volunteer to open and close the gate. <br /> Gaspar mentioned across the street is Kukio and their gates open at sun-up and close at <br /> sun-down. Why can't they help County in opening the gate? <br /> Messina mentioned that no matter who is across the street, we shouldn't put another <br /> agency in charge of opening and closing our facility. To completely open up the cemetery <br /> for a few people who forget their glasses, not sure that's necessary. <br /> Sheridan explained we've done enough with the sign that's on the gate. <br /> Chair Doolittle agreed, we've provided two or three phone numbers on their and <br /> Carolle's been available to give out that number too. We'll keep that on the front burner <br />