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• / TESTIMONY TO: HAWAII COUNTY CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION FROM: PUNA COMMUNITY COUNCIL RE: ARTICLE V NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS. PLANNING DIRECTOR DUTIES PLANNING COMMISSION TO SCHEDULE, ADVERTISE AND HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS' WITH A MODERATOR GENERAL PLAN DEFINITION,PURPOSE AND AVAILABILITY, WORKSHOPS AND HEARINGS GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS BY COUNCIL, PLANNING DIRECTOR.OR CITIZEN PETITION In suggesting the following changes to Article V of the County. Charter, Puna Community Council seeks to strengthen citizen participation in the process of government by requiring increased notice and publicity of public hearings. We seek to clarify the duties of the Planning Director and incorporate ., under the direction of the Planning Director the implementation of a general plan for the County of Hawaii. In addition to notice and publicity of public hearings, we would suggest the addition of a moderator to planning conanission public hearings, since it extremely difficult for the chair of the commission to participate in the hearing and keep order. Polarization occurs often when a neutral person is _ not present to help set the rules for hearings, limit speakers to agreed upon times and remind all participants to show respect for each other: As the Charter is now written, there is no definition of purpose for the General Plan included, nor is there a clear statement of the process by which the plan may be amended. Puna Community Council went through a year of research on the plan, fully expecting to testify on the full scope of .that research at hearings held in the district. Instead, testimony was limited to amendments on the plan because of the way in which the process now operates. We hope the sections submitted here today will be seriously considered so that the process is clearly outlined in the Charter. ' , 556 Submitted by Ron Phillips Don Jacobs Ginny Aste Richard Hahn