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and take it back to the 2% that it originally was. I say this because I do not believe it is <br />the prevue of the Charter Commission to try to help balance the budget this year. We are <br />looking at a long -term effort; at least over the next 10 years until the next Commission is <br />embraced. But, I think that the people voted on the 2 %. That is how the Charter should <br />go forward at the 2% level. That is the bulk of my testimony. I will summarize by <br />saying please take this forward at the 2% instead of reducing it. Thank you. <br />MR. HIRT: Good afternoon, Mr. Chair, our next testifier is Shannon Rudolph, and she is <br />going to make comment on the 2% Fund; she is going to make an opposing statement on <br />CA -37; and is in support of CA -9, 23 & 30. <br />SHANNON RUDOLPH <br />(At this time Shannon Rudolph, came forward to address members of the Charter Commission.) <br />MS. RUDOLPH: Aloha Commission members. I just want to say that I oppose CA -37. <br />I am in favor of CA -9, 23, and 30; and on the 2 %, I would just like to say that I have been <br />a resident here for 30 years, and I'm here for the long haul, and I also want to thank the <br />Commission for bringing this amendment forward, although I don't agree that it should <br />be 1 %, I think it should be 2 %. I have talked to a lot of people around the island in all <br />districts, of all income levels, and all walks of life in the last few months and specifically <br />asked them if they would change their vote now being as how the economy is not doing <br />very good. There is not a single person that said they would change their vote; they still <br />feel the way that they felt when they voted on this issue. So I just want to make sure that <br />you understand that. I've talked to a lot of people, and none of them have changed their <br />vote. I realize it's apples and oranges between a County Code amendment and a Charter <br />amendment, but the people who vote, still feel the same way. Thank you. <br />MR. HIRT: Our next testifier in Kona is Jake Jacobs to make comment on the 2% Fund. <br />JAKE JACOB S <br />(At this time Jake Jacobs, came forward to address members of the Charter Commission.) <br />MR. JACOBS: Good afternoon. I testified at the meeting at the Sheraton pretty much <br />the same thing as I am going to say now. I'm at a loss as to how we lost the 2% that we <br />voted for; it makes no sense to me. Talking on the phone where I cannot see you folks; I <br />can't tell whether you are listening to me. I feel like you didn't listen to us the last time <br />because every person in that room testified against the 1/2% and for the 2 %, and yet the <br />vote was against us. Like the previous speaker, everybody that I know is for 2 %. One <br />thing that I pointed out last time, and I will point out again now; if the Council needs to <br />raise money, they are afraid to raise taxes, and they are going to justify cutting this down <br />to' /z% because they need revenue and they can't make it up. The thing is, is that my <br />property tax is under $800 a year; and that is $16. If the Council needs to tax me $16 <br />more a year to cover the 2 %, I am still for it. And I'm unemployed and I haven't worked <br />for over a year, and $16 more a year, $1.33 a month isn't going to make any difference to <br />whether or not I'm going to be able to keep my house. We are sitting here in this room <br />talking among ourselves wondering why and who benefits from this; and we cant' figure <br />R <br />