2014-57 Milon VLRP Testimony - Laserfiche WebLink

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Communication No. 2014-57 My name is Vikki Milon and I have lived in Volcano since the early 70's. The first time I came to Volcano, it was a foggy moonlit evening. The highway hadn't even been built so the road was the narrow old Volcano Road from Glenwood. I expected Madame Pele and her 3 legged dog to appear around every curve. But Volcano grabbed my heart. My family moved up from Hilo and we raised our kids in this wonderful ohia forest environment with its magical spots. Time passed, kids got older, and we left to work overseas. But, each time we returned, checking on the house between renters, the old feelings returned. Even camped out with sleeping bags on the floor, it was home. Things changed over time, Development, both good and bad occurred, but the character never changed. Volcano folks are young and old, artists, farmers, commuting professionals, off grid specialists, biologists, volcano experts, retirees - you name it- we have it ail. Tourist traffic and vacation rentals have increased. There are still affordable lots available for building. All too easily, the charm of Volcano and our lifestyle can slip away as it has in other towns on the Big Island. We can become just another badly overdeveloped entrance community to a national park. That is why the Volcano Long Range Plan is so important and why I support it. We are a special, unique community, that draws visitors and residents alike. The Long Range Plan pulls together all the great ideas and needs of the community into one package. It looks to the future and encourages growth, economic development and change- BUT it does that by not forgetting the people who live here, or the natural setting we live in that makes it such a fine community.