CHC 1979-01-23 - Laserfiche WebLink

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resident requirements running at large, I think there is a need to bring it back again a littlelbit closer to the people and so that the reaction can take place. So, I would like to propose that the council makeup be made up similar to that of the House of Representatives. In other words, there would be five districts as there are now. And perhaps you could write in that say, there is a Constitutional Convention change or a State Legislative change, that atthat time we should also review our County Council makeup also. I think that by districting according the the way the State House is apportioned is a good one. That would give five members. Now we know that presently the council is made up of nine members. I think that the remaining amount either two or four, right, five plus two coming seven or four, coming back up to nine should be at large representation. In other words , I 'm not that strong as whether it should be seven or nine. I don ' t know that the magic number is in terms of represen- tation numbers for the island. I do think it is necessary ( 1) to get districts and ( 2) to get apportioned at large members. So, I think there should be at least two or four, whichever way you decide, at large members and the remaining five being districts. This, as I stated to you, is a change from my original position where I said that four should be at large. This is going to be a topic alone. Maybe we can just leave it open and if anyone wants to ask me a few questions they may. MR. ISHIDA: What are you thinking by way of terms? MAYOR MATAYOSHI : The term, I think, should 'f'remain four. I feel very strongly about this . I think that the term should remain four. This, I think, is consistent and I would not change my position from 1963. The reason is that when the people come on board, as in the old Board of Supervisors on which I had the opportunity to serve it was 'two years and there is a tendency to become very shortsighted and 'things must be done quickly because there are elections coming up, there is pressure over politics and there is no real longer term planning process. I think there is need. I definitely feel there is need for four years. Both on the council and the administrative side. MR. ISHIDA: Do you have any feelings concerning staggered terms as far as say half of the council members would be elected every two years? MAYOR MATAYOSHI : Yes , I do. I do not feel it should be staggered. I think it should be all at one tithe. The body, if it were large, say twenty-five, thirty, fifty. A large number of people, I can appreciate the fact that there should be some staggerization about with that great numbers of people, but when you get a small group running about seven or nine, I think you 're going to find yourself if you split up four running and five set. Suppose you have nine people, four coming up this year and five -8-