1999-02-20 Charter Commission Minutes

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INTRODUCTION OF COMMISSIONERSPage 21 of 29 used a government facility, there was no charge for it. Like in Waimea, they have the Hawaiian Homes Hall, they have the schools. And you may get other people such as Parker Ranch, or whatever in Kona. RAY: So it’s what you’re discussing that we take the regular business of the commission around the County, you’re not talking about the public hearings and what have you, you’re talking about the regular business, so in other words we try to once in so many months be in Kona, be in North Hawaii… BALOG: Or even Puna. We’ve had meetings in Puna and it didn’t cost us a thing, too and the people really appreciated it. And I’m just not set that I got to come to this Councilroom or a Liquor Commission room to do our business at. RAY: Are there any other comments on that because logistically, we are talking about, for this body anyway, potentially more travel time or whatever if you decide to have a meeting in Hawi or Naalehu or whatever. BALOG: It goes back to getting information out. You know, to see the thrill in people’s eyes when you took the time to come to their community and shared yourself with them, it goes a long ways and it will help give confidence to the job that we do and I honestly believe that. RAY: Part of considering that, in terms of sort of site specific topics or not. I know the council tries to meet in West Hawaii if it’s something more specific or applicable, to West Hawaii. I don’t know what topics, if any, are more or less important to one part of the island, separate counties or get rid of the Mayor, that’s probably more important in West Hawaii. Or just for the experience, like you say… BALOG: I don’t think that it’s going to come down to getting rid of the Mayor and having two separate counties, or it may, I don’t know. But I don’t think that that should be our goal to let our agenda determine where we are going to meet. HERKES: I think it’s going to be real difficult to do that. RAY: So the point you’re making is just to acknowledge the communities, to share the experience, that you think it’s a good idea to hold meetings around the island. BALOG: Yes, and I’m not saying specifically in Hawi, like it was mentioned. Like Waimea, you could go to Puna, Hilo, Kona, that’s being general, the communities. People from Kohala can travel to Waimea. IRVINE: I move that we try to have meetings in various parts of the island. RAY: Well, I don’t think we need a motion for that, it is just a discussion. SANTANGELO: I share a lot of John’s ideas, having been with the community. And Sue, I hope that we meet some of your expectations with the public. I think this commission has an ability and should take the opportunity to create some sort of credibility in this County. Every time we do something, I think we need to create credibility. Most meetings are people who show up, are special interest and they go back to special interest. One of the ways I envisioned this council accomplishing a little bit of what Kevin had to say was, I think we need file://\\coh01\cohweb\council\charter_commission\minutes\minutes 2-20-99.html7/1/2011