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vote, something that we should use in making our decision. I don't feel it is. And Sue, I <br />have the floor. <br />IRVINE: No, I'm - <br />HERKES: And I feel that, actually, the people in Kona have an opportunity to <br />vote. They have an opportunity to be represented. As far as I'm concerned, when I <br />need some clarification, or something done on the County Council, I go talk to a Hilo <br />Councilman, and that person helps me. I find that all of the Council people are, and <br />this is going on the record - I find that all of the Council people have an open mind and <br />will help you, and I think that what you do is you go to the people that think the same <br />way you do, that have the same interests that you do, no matter where they come from. <br />They do have to get elected from their districts but when you need clarification, or need <br />something to go through, the door's always open. <br />RAY: So, are you speaking in favor of this? <br />HERKES: Yes. I don't think that the fact that people don't vote is something <br />that I'm going to use to make a decision. What I want is efficient government. I'd like to <br />see participation, and maybe if the people in Kona recognize that they have the <br />opportunity to have an elected official, they'll get out and elect one from Kona, an at - <br />large person. <br />RAY: Sue. <br />IRVINE: Marni, it's not that the people in Kona don't vote. Actually, in my <br />district nowadays, they vote as poorly as they do in Kona. I did look up alt of the <br />statistics, and apparently, I've left them at home. It's Hamakua where they vote at a <br />great rate, and there just are more people on the Hilo side, on the East side, than the <br />West side. <br />HERKES: Not from the latest census, I think. <br />IRVINE: Okay, then that, I don't know about. <br />RAY: John. <br />SANTANGELO: Again, when 1 gave my reasons, I gave both sides. Frankly, people <br />don't vote. Tough. On the other hand, can we look at what Roland's put forward, and I <br />struggle with this because frankly, I'm going to get bit over some of the perception. But <br />is this good government? Is what's been put forward - is it a model that's used <br />elsewhere? Has it worked, and do we see it working here? Sue, you're shaking your <br />head. You mean this isn't used elsewhere? This is a brand new invention? <br />IRVINE: No, the trend is to go toward single member rather than the other <br />12 <br />