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term budget short fall, at the whim of the Mayor, I think is wrong; I think the Mayor can do other things to balance the budget. As far as having all standing committees, I agree with that. Basically, that is it. The Ethics Board, yes, we need teeth in that. Much of what Margaret Wille has put out as well as what Debbie Hecht has put out, I do agree with, just to keep it short. Thank you all for your time. CHR. HAITSUKA: Are there any questions for Mr. Smith? Thank you, Mr. Smith. Next we have Barbara Kahn - Langer. Good afternoon, Ms. Kahn - Langer. BARBARA KAHN - LANGER (At this time Barbara Kahn - Langer came forward to address members of the Charter Commission.) MS. KAHN- LANGER: Aloha, my name is Barbara Kahn - Langer. Thank you for the opportunity to address you on a number of topics. I didn't quite expect that, you are very gracious. Thank you very much. What I'd like to do, very briefly with your permission, is go through the communications list and just tell you those that I support. I think there has been ample testimony from other people of why they support that, so I don't want to belabor any of that or take up your time. I support Communication 38, the authority to retain independent legal counsel for the Legislative Auditor. It speaks for itself, it makes imminent good sense. Communication 40, from Councilmember Brenda Ford, I support that, regarding budgetary independence for that office of the Legislative Auditor. If you are going to have a position, the position has to have a budget. And if you are going to have a position such as an auditor, that auditor needs a budget with which to act and perform their duties. I support Communication 42, in terms of not extending a term limit to four years. I could give you all kinds of reasons; suffice it to say I would prefer two years. I think there is a reason why in our Federal government we have a Senate and we have the House of Representatives. The closest legislative body to the people is those legislative bodies that have two years responsibility to go back to their community. I support Communication 45, sponsored by Debbie Hecht; and I support that strongly. I support Communication 46, proposing a new section to the Charter regarding vacancies in office, and I would like to speak to Communication 48. Specifically, my name is Barbara Kahn - Langer, and my basic purpose for coming here today is to discuss the Community Development Plan process, particularly the Puna Community Development Plan process. Commissioner Fuertes, perhaps some of my comments would answer some of your statements or concerns. When the Puna Community Development Plan was first announced in the Hawaii Tribune Herald in 2005, my husband and I immediately signed up to participate in the process. We opened our home to neighbors, and encouraged their participation, even though we were told by long -time residents that it was a waste of our time, the plan would sit on a shelf that other plans sit on, nothing would happen. I didn't believe that, and I thought I could be of value to the process. I became Mayor of my small city in California in the mid 1980's after successful community litigation forced the city to develop its first General Plan as required by the State. The resulting community involvement process beckoned new community leaders. It educated the community as a whole, and brought the city into the then 20th century, in terms of community involvement in land -use planning. Prior to that successful litigation and subsequent moratorium on all development, a 12