Laserfiche WebLink
PO Box 129 <br /> Kailua-Kona <br /> Hi, 196740 <br /> Charter Review Commission <br /> 25 Aupuni Street <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Ladies and Gentlemen: <br /> I thank you for the opportunity to speak briefly during last <br /> night ' s Kona Public Hearing . That meeting exemplified, I think <br /> you will agree, the priceless participation of concerned citizens <br /> in the process of protecting their liberty and freedom by working <br /> to keep their government subservient and responsive to the needs <br /> of the electorate. <br /> I am personally very concerned that your commission has had <br /> so little input from the general public of east Hawaii--and I do <br /> believe a basic reason is a lack of understanding by our neighbors <br /> over there of the rare opportunity this Charter Review offers them <br /> to participate in improving the quality of life on the Big Island <br /> --all parts of it--by improving the governing mechanism of our County. <br /> Our voices are being heard and our ideas are being careful consider- <br /> ation. In short we can be shapers of the democratic process and <br /> not just helpless pawns in the political game as so many people <br /> believe to be the case today. <br /> I believe this story needs to be told to the electorate by your <br /> Conuuission NOW by the most effective means available. I think we can <br /> see from the WHC publicity campaign here in Kona that people, when ap- <br /> praised of the issues at stake, do take an interest and will contribute <br /> their ideas to this vital process . Properly approached by the Commis- <br /> sion, it may be that the press and radio media could be induced to pro- <br /> vide such publicity on a gratis public service basis . <br /> T concur with the recommendation made last evening that you sched- <br /> ule public hearings on the draft revision when it is ready and after it <br /> has been amply exposed in the press to the public . And I recommend you <br /> take advantage of the time left to also stir up voter interest in the <br /> issues you have under consideration as part of the publicity campaign <br /> covered in the preceding paragraph. <br /> It is absolutely vital, in my judgement, to defer asking the <br /> people to vote on the revisions until you have an informed public ready <br /> to do so. Let us not have another CON-CON debacle. <br /> One final point . I believe our County government as presently <br /> g <br /> COMM. NO. ..� <br />