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MR. HIRT: Yes, our final testifier today is Brenda Ford, representing herself and speaking in support of Communications 27, 32, 40, 43, 44, 46, 47, 50, and 51, CA -8, CA -9, CA -11 and CA -12. BRENDA FORD (At this time Brenda Ford came forward to address members of the Charter Commission via videoconference from the Kona office.) MS. JARMAN: As you can see, we are all moving away from our Council Member because she has the flu. CHR. HAITSUKA: Good afternoon Ms. Ford. MS. FORD: Commissioners, first of all I would like to thank you for taking on a very time consuming and very difficult job. While the Commission meets only once every 10 years, your responsibility is equal to or greater than the County Council. I say that because - -my estimate - -90 percent of the things that come before the County Council are routine business for the County, but the difference in what you have is that whatever you put on the ballot, the people will ratify or vote it down. You have, in my opinion, an even greater responsibility because you are touching the document that is the ultimate law passed in Hawaii County. When I think about legislation that I personally write, I always try to keep in mind a few concepts. One is that I want to have a government be honest, accountable, and transparent to the taxpayers. I always consider the best interest of the public, the taxpayers, and the voters, not whether or not it is comfortable for me or takes extra time for me to do something. It is strictly about what is best for the public, the taxpayers, and the voters. What we put into the Charter is not about making life easier for the elected officials. It is our duty to perform as you direct us to perform, and the people who vote on those issues that you put on the ballot indicate that they want us to perform. Elected officials need to represent their constituents and should not be barred from presenting legislation, participating in discussion or voting. To stop any of that is to disenfranchise the constituents of that district. I'll be talking more about that later. Additionally, we have the issue of ease of the public access on the public notices of meetings. I would like to talk first about Ms. Margaret Wille's testimony and her letter, Communication 50. I would like to start there. I support this in its entirety, but there are a couple of things I don't think she talked about, although it's in her letter, and I would like to talk about them with you. At the very bottom of the first page of Communication 50 it says, "Require that a separate attorney be appointed to represent County Council and be independent from Corporation Council." I think this is vitally important. While Corporation Counsel is the counsel for the County, they have to straddle a fine line between the Executive Branch and the Legislative Branch. I know, probably every attorney will tell us, it can be done. But, those of us watching the process, frankly, have doubts. It's not because of malicious intent; it's just very difficult to serve two masters. So, I would support that we have our own independent counsel, independent Corporation Counsel; someone who would actively defend the position of the Legislative Branch within the County. IN