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• would stay the same, but I think, if you were going to join with Solid Waste, they would
<br />probably increase.
<br />RAY: All right, so we're going to open it up for discussion now. I guess,
<br />Milton, if you could come up to the table.
<br />PAVAO: If I may, just one point. Mr. Boucher made mention that many
<br />states has combined water, sewer, electricity, and that's true. And it's like the way we
<br />feel with EPA. EPA sends down mandates without looking at the uniqueness of our
<br />state, and more so, this island. This island is so unique that it doesn't follow the
<br />regular pattern of any other place. I'll give you an example. We're responsible for the
<br />entire island's water supply, yet we have 24 separate systems, that's not connected,
<br />because the island was derived from plantation camps, and these camps are spread
<br />throughout the island. So, we're far different than the so called mainland cities, and by
<br />the way, the Oahu Board of Water Supply did attempt a merger with Wastewater, I
<br />don't know how many years back, and not to contradict Mr. Boucher, but it didn't even
<br />last six months, and it has to do, I'm sure, with the uniqueness of the place we live. We
<br />have systems so far apart that there's no practical way we could connect them with a
<br />pipeline because it would cost millions. So, you've got to recognize the uniqueness
<br />that we have. Even with the sewer system, there's camps so small that you're not going
<br />to put a sewer system. It's just the way the island is. We're unique, and that
<br />• uniqueness should be recognized when something like this is proposed.
<br />RAY: Questions? George.
<br />MARTIN: Yes, I've got one comment, actually a question/comment. Jiro, it's
<br />directed toward you. With your concern for billing, if we, the Commission, were to put
<br />forth a proposal to the general public that, in fact, Water would take up the billing, not
<br />merge, but just the billing fact, and again, I've dealt with Mr. Pavao in the past, and I
<br />know he's a man of his word. I've got no problem with that, but he won't always be in
<br />this position, so I can understand what you're saying, that when he does go, the next
<br />manager may not have the same ideas and agree upon certain issues, so if we were to
<br />put that in the Charter some place, that yes, in fact, the billing were to be undertaken,
<br />and I don't even know if we have the ability to do that, but would that suffice your
<br />concern?
<br />SUMADA: I think that would address, probably, the major impetus for that, of
<br />why we're proposing this, but there are other benefits that could be achieved.
<br />MARTIN: Sure, I can see and I can hear that.
<br />SUMADA: But I think, yes, to answer your question.
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