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So, if you have any questions for me or Mr. Cummings, we'd be more than happy to answer
<br />those. Mr. Cummings did mention to me that one of the issues that they do face is theft from
<br />other sites. They don't have a theft issue on their property. Why? They live there. It's their
<br />home. You know, in Hilo, you've had a theft issue. Is that right, Mr. Cummings?
<br />CUMMINGS: They came and took two portables out of our property.
<br />KERN: So, you know, by expanding out, not to say that security can't be put in place, it's just
<br />the one more, further issue. So, you know, we sit here basically pleading with the Commission
<br />to, to look at it from, you know, the perspective of a family home-based business that has done
<br />their best. That have been working hard. They've been in business for, you know, almost 30
<br />years. To stay in business on the Big Island for 30 years is challenging as it is. And, they've
<br />been doing that.
<br />So, you know, we're here humbly asking to have this conversation to allow additional time. No
<br />disrespect to the Planning Department whatsoever. We completely understand how that works.
<br />When I was on the Commission, when BJ was the Planning Director, certain things would come
<br />in for a denial, and the Commission, we would actually go the other way. And, at one point
<br />we're having lunch, and I told BJ, I was like, "BJ, you know, I'm sorry. I keep voting against
<br />you." And, she's like, "you don't need to worry about that. As a department, we have certain
<br />criteria that we have to follow." That's what this is right now. The Planning Department has
<br />certain criteria. It's prime ag land. They can't say yes to a certain, to a certain extent. But, the
<br />Commission does have the flexibility to look at things and address them in a little bit different
<br />manner, and that's why the Commission exists.
<br />So, for the sake of time `cause I know the clock is ticking, I will yield the floor for a minute and
<br />answer any questions. Thank you.
<br />HENKEL: Thanks, Zendo. Any questions? Yes, Joe.
<br />CLARKSON: Yes, I do have a couple of questions. Is there any financial or other reason why a
<br />time limit, say every five years, come back and see whether—allow us to see or the Planning
<br />Commission to see whether circumstances have changed in Hamakua in terms of development of
<br />ag lands. Right now, there isn't much, and I live very near the Applicant. And, my, I'm
<br />personally not worried that there isn't enough ag land available for people to do whatever they
<br />want. But, is there any financial or other reason why a periodic renewal requirement is such a
<br />problem for the Applicant?
<br />KERN: Would you like me to answer that Mr. Cummings or? Well, from a monetary
<br />standpoint, obviously there's a cost associated with it. I don't sit up here for charity, but that's
<br />less of a concern. It's more so, I think, it's the concern in the mind and in the heart as they come
<br />along. You know, I spoke to—it happened by circumstance that I ended up speaking to Mrs.
<br />Cumming, Mrs. Cummings, John's wife a while back. And, she had talked to me about it. I
<br />said, "Hey, how's it going over there? How's your Special Permit going?" And, she's like, "Oh,
<br />it's, you know, we're doing good. We're doing good. We found the location in Hilo, but our
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