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minutes 8-25-99Page 15 of 60 <br />want to be on the agenda for that Neighborhood Board every single meeting, they’ll <br /> <br />put you on the agenda. You’ll have your five minutes or three minutes. <br />FELIX: It’s the purest form of democracy as I know it. It takes democracy down to <br /> <br />the lowest level, which is good. <br />IRVINE: I guess they do save you folks from hearing from people on Y2K and abortion <br />and whatnot too because otherwise it would be at the County Council, I’m sure, so <br /> <br />overall you think - <br /> <br />ARAKAWA: Right. They still come. <br /> <br />FELIX: They come. <br /> <br />ARAKAWA: They come. That doesn’t stop them. <br /> <br />FELIX: They appear. <br /> <br />IRVINE: They’re still a good idea? I mean, you have a positive - <br />FELIX: Anything that promotes the democratic process, as difficult and as agonizing <br />as it may be, is good. Okay? There are times now I get frustrated and irritated but <br />the bottom line is, it’s healthy. Democracy is not the most efficient form of <br /> <br />government but it’s the best that we know. <br />ARAKAWA: What John Henry said is very true but it’s very important what he said <br />about they have to know their parameters because some Neighborhood Board Chairmen <br /> <br />think they’re the Council Member or they’re the Mayor or they’re the Senator. <br /> <br />FELIX: And they can expose the City to liability. <br /> <br />ARAKAWA: They have. We’ve gotten sued. <br /> <br />FELIX: That’s where you have to be careful but I think that can be addressed. <br /> <br />ARAKAWA: Yes. <br /> <br />IRVINE: How? <br /> <br />RAY: Marni. <br />HERKES: I think we’re interested because we’re searching for something we can put in <br />our County Charter that will expand the democratic process and bring more people in. <br />Neighborhood Boards was one way. Two Planning Commissions was something we discussed <br /> <br />at our last meeting. <br /> <br />FELIX: East and West Hawaii? <br />HERKES: No, North and South. We’re looking our way, how to bring more people into <br />government and make it work. Now, Neighborhood Boards are fairly expensive but you <br /> <br />feel there’s a good trade off there? <br />FELIX: I think it’s a good trade off, particularly on this island because it’s such <br />a large island. I think it would give the grass roots districts a better opportunity <br />because it’s very difficult for Council Members on this island, particular to cover <br />file://\\coh01\cohweb\council\charter_commission\minutes\minutes 8-25-99.html7/1/2011 <br /> <br />