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"The County of Hawaii has experienced <br /> significant changes in its socio-economic status. Modern <br /> technology has brought Hawaii and the rest of the world <br /> closer together and it is reflected in the type and level <br /> of services being demanded by the people. The future <br /> outlook for the County of Hawaii is bright, our Charter <br /> should be designed to cope with the ever changing needs of <br /> our society. <br /> "In closing, we would like to commend all <br /> of you for accepting the responsibility and the arduous <br /> task associated with the Charter review process. Your <br /> decisions will determine the effectiveness of our local <br /> government structure. " <br /> Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman and <br /> members of the committee. <br /> MR. TRULSON: Councilman Garcia, could you <br /> give us an idea if all the members of the council are in <br /> agreement with these proposals? <br /> MR. GARCIA: I could not say yes or no. <br /> All that I can tell you is that I personally am not in agree- <br /> ment with all of the proposals made. I do not believe that <br /> this matter was taken up by the chairman with the other <br /> councilmembers. I cannot speak for the other councilmembers. <br /> I speak only for myself. This is the reason I prefaced my <br /> remarks by saying that these were purely the statements and <br /> sentiments of Chairman Stephen Yamashiro. <br /> MR. TRULSON: Mr. Garcia, would you perhaps <br /> enlighten us on your differences of what is proposed? <br /> MR. GARCIA: One of the differences that I <br /> might have is in the membership makeup. I have felt from <br /> quite a long time ago that I think seven members could well <br /> serve the county. I differ from Chairman Yamashiro in that <br /> I would like to see seven members. Five elected from the <br /> state house representative districts and two at-large. It <br /> is a matter of a difference of two people. <br /> I also am one who very strongly believes <br /> that departments should be consolidated. I think this is <br /> something that perhaps the commission can take into consid- <br /> eration. I believe that perhaps the Planning Department <br /> along with the Research and Development Department could be <br /> incorporated into one department. Public Works and Parks <br /> and Recreation into another department. I believe that such <br /> a me_ rgin`g of departments would be towards running the county <br /> at a more efficient level . <br /> I also would like to very strongly say that <br /> please don ' t make the charter any stronger for the mayor. <br /> I think he has enough powers right now. I am one of the <br /> minority councilmembers who feel very strongly that we are <br /> rubberstamping, really, most of what the administration wants. <br /> I think the council has to be given more power. <br /> -5- <br />