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small group of real estate and development interests controlled all land use and zoning decisions. From that experience I expected that at most the Puna Community Development Plan process would take two years participation. The remaining eight years before the development of the next General Plan would be used by the County to implement what the people supported in their CDP's. Land use maps would be adjusted, where needed, revision of the County Code would be adjusted, and the result would be a partnership between all stake holders so that land use would proceed according to the values of each identified planning community. Community Development Plans are not meant to be static creations; they are living governmental organisms. They involve action, community participation, and by their specific nature, subsequent, timely implementation by the County. From my participation in this process, from the beginning, I'm very concerned about the County government's ability to move forward on what the people supported in their plan. I see the need to incorporate time requirements within the County Charter so that implementation of the CDP's occurs before the next revision of the General Plan. It is one matter to say legislatively say, "we should," it's another different matter to know, "we must." By including the Community Development Plans and their Action Committees in the County Charter, we will be protecting the integrity of the community's participation in this planning process. Further, it will guide future planning efforts required by law to take place in a timely manner. I would like to speak directly to so me of your comments. In my experience, and my experience living here in Hawaii, there are always people, such as myself, who pay attention to governmental matters in their community. We read about it in the paper, and we physically take action to be part of the process. Similarly, there are always people who don't do that. They don't don that for a variety of reasons. In the subdivision where I live, Hawaiian Paradise Park, people routinely only show up to say, "no." There are all kinds of notification, there are all kinds of ample time to get involved, to look at road plans and other matters, but these folks basically want to say, "No." They want to oppose anything happening by any form of government, and so I'm suggesting that some of what we see as non - participation is from people - -not because they are uncomfortable with participating- - they just prefer to say, "no" because it's easier. Are there any questions? Thank you very much. CHR. HAITSUKA: Do we have anyone else here to testify, anyone in Kona, Waimea? MR. HIRT: Good afternoon, we have two testifiers here in Kona. Our first testifier today is Debbie Hecht, speaking on behalf of herself, in support of the 2% Land Fund. CHR. HAITSUKA: Good afternoon, Ms. Hecht. DEBBIE HECHT (At this time Debbie Hecht came forward to address members of the Charter Commission via videoconference from the Kona office.) 13