Laserfiche WebLink
• <br /> that each of the County Council members fill one of the appointive <br /> (r J positions. <br /> This would mean changing the Commissioners' terms to four years instead of <br /> five, but the terms could still be staggered, by having some Council <br /> members appoint in the middle of their terms, and some at the beginning. <br /> The cycle could be started by having all members appoint at once, but for <br /> differing periods of time. <br /> We further propose that whatever changes need to be made in order to <br /> transfer responsibility for SMA permits to our elected County Council <br /> should be undertaken, because the shoreline is one of our most precious, <br /> limited and sensitive resources. <br /> Citizen Participation <br /> Citizen participation in government is a vital and healthy part of a <br /> democracy, and should not be seen as a burden or a luxury we can't afford. <br /> Toward this end, we support the following principles: <br /> 1. The County Charter should not be changed to limit the scope of <br /> initiative and referendum actions. In fact, it should be broadened to <br /> allow "straw votes", either island-wide or within any grouping of census <br /> tracts. <br /> 2. The number of signatures required on an initiative or referendum <br /> petition should be changed to 8%. The present 15%, toward the high end <br /> of the scale nationally, might be more appropriate for a small town or <br /> more compact urban area; it is less appropriate for a far-flung county <br /> such as ours. We note that on Kauai, the requirement is only 5%. <br /> 3. Petition signatures should remain valid for two years if the required <br /> percentage is 8%. If the percentage is higher, six months should be <br /> added for each percentage point over 8%. <br /> 4. The number of signatures required on a charter amendment should not <br /> exceed 15% of the number of votes cast for the office of mayor in the <br /> last general mayoral election. The present system, requiring 20% of the <br /> number of voters registered for the last election, makes charter <br /> amendment by the people virtually impossible. <br /> 5. Wording of ballot measures should be such that the average citizen will <br /> be able to decide which way to vote. Those submitting the ballot issue <br /> should be able to suggest wording, and this should not be overridden <br /> excpet for good cause. <br /> If questions arise on any of the foregoing, please contact David Anderson, <br /> P.O. Box 1487, Honokaa HI 96727; 775-9958. <br /> 642 <br />