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MS. HANANO: Yes we do. We have a total of three, and my first testifier here this
<br />afternoon is Karen Clarkson. She has a total of eight items. The first one being
<br />Communication 80, she is speaking in support. The second item will be CA -15 and she is
<br />representing the 2% for Lands Steering Commission Mauka/Makai Access Committee. The
<br />remaining will be CA -14, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 31, 33, 34, 35 and 12. Those
<br />will all be in support, and she is representing herself on those.
<br />CHR. HAITSUKA: Good afternoon.
<br />KAREN CLARKSON
<br />(At this time Karen Clarkson came forward to address members of the Charter Commission.)
<br />MS. CLARKSON: Good afternoon. Thank you very much for allowing us to speak, and
<br />thank you for your hard work coming to these meetings. I realize how many hours that you
<br />spend for a very good cause which is to make sure that what the people want is set in stone
<br />and not allowed to be changed at the whim of a few elected officials. Regarding
<br />Communication 80, I was also on the Save our Land Steering Committee and saw the
<br />difficulties of how to collect signatures and what signatures were allowed and I support
<br />making this system better.
<br />Regarding the 2% for the Land Fund, I found that - -oh, I'm representing myself and the
<br />mauka /makai access committee, which was a committee that developed out of the Hamakua
<br />agriculture plan where public access and open space was identified as one of the top concerns
<br />for the people of Hamakua- -when this County decided to set aside the 2% collection of
<br />funds, people felt very disillusioned with government. They thought that what they had
<br />voted for meant something. Even though 150 of us went and testified to not set aside those
<br />funds, set aside the ordinance, the county officials ignored us. This is the only way we can
<br />make sure that our intention in voting for that ordinance was to make a commitment. It
<br />would be like how you set aside funds for your children's education. It's a long term
<br />commitment, and it's a commitment to our children and grandchildren and future generations
<br />that I believe the public clearly voted to support that, and we should have an opportunity to
<br />vote again in a way that will be more permanent.
<br />I would also like to see Charter Amendments CA -12, 14, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26,
<br />27, 31, 33, 34, and 35 be on the ballot so that people will have the opportunity to vote for
<br />them. I feel confident that you will look at them carefully and make them as clear as possible
<br />and as well structured as possible, so people can feel confident that if they support the intent
<br />of it that it will be effective. Thank you very much.
<br />CHR. HAITSUKA: Thank you very much. Our next speaker in Waimea - --
<br />MS. HANANO: Thank you Mr. Chairman. The next testifier here is Kelly Pomeroy, and
<br />she will be speaking on Charter Amendment CA -15, 26, 35, 27, 20, 17 and 24, all in support.
<br />CHR. HAITSUKA: Good afternoon.
<br />IN
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