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B. Whitney indicated that problems occur on the day of election, and even though the <br />sites are deemed to be accessible beforehand, things occur that make voting <br />challenging. <br />S. Golden mentioned that in order to be a poll helper you have to work a 14-hour shift <br />from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. <br />J. Souza reported that the Office of Elections in Hilo have a really bad attitude. They <br />told him that people who are disabled or deaf and want to be helpers have to be able to <br />speak or hear. They did not contact the deaf people to see if they wanted to be voting <br />officials. They trained other people, but they would not allow deaf people to be voting <br />assistants. <br />T. Yamanaka said that he had a good voting experience. The election official knew how <br />tousethevotingmachineeventhoughtheydidnotknowhowtobringoutthevoting <br />booth to his car. <br />STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON NON-AGENDA ISSUES <br />J. Hartman recommended that MCPD establish two Committees on People with <br />Disabilities for East Hawaii and West Hawaii. He raised this issue many years ago <br />when he was chairman of MCPD. He felt that having two committees will eliminate all <br />these travel problems that both sides incur. He suggested that MCPD make a <br />recommendation to the Mayor to implement this idea. <br />S. Golden suggested videoconferencing as another option to connect East and West <br />Hawaii. However, the County Clerk, Al Konishi, will not allow anyone to use the <br />equipment because he does not want to risk canceling a meeting if the equipment does <br />not work. B. Whitney responded that she does not like videoconferencing as a person <br />withadisability.Secondly,theroomforvideoconferencingisverycold.However,she <br />would agree to do it if thats what the committee chose. M. Dravis said she has never <br />doneinterpretingduringvideoconferencing.Sheheardfrompeoplewhoaretakingsign <br />language and interpreting classes through that kind of set up that it is absolutely <br />horrendous. <br />L. Tobosa suggested that MCPD discuss these two issues further at the next meeting. <br />J. Matsui suggested that the county hire people with disabilities to assist voters with <br />disabilities at the polling site. <br />ANNOUNCEMENTS <br />S.SmockhoffmannannouncedtherewillbeaSpecialNeedsTrustpresentationon <br />Sunday, October 17, 2004, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. atTheArc of Hilo. The Kona meeting <br />willbeheldonMonday,October18,2004,from5p.m.to7p.m.atSt.Michaels <br />Catholic Church. <br />4 <br /> <br />