CHC 1979-04-03 - Laserfiche WebLink

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We feel that the women of this island have got to get involved because we are the ones who have to balance the budget at home. The women have not really voiced themselves and been heard and I think it is time they were. If you would like to know how many we represent, just ask me how many would you like. We can get 1 ,000 signatures. We can get 2,000 easily. But if you would like to know how many really worked hard on this , it is about fifteen--hardcore, delving into it, studying all the charters and coming up with what we feel are some good ideas. We have met also with the West Hawaii Committee. We have also met with the Chamber of Commerce in Kona. We have met with some women ' s groups and there is no disagreement. There was one that we had to compromise on because, you know, we were fighting for what we thought was right. But we feel that it is more important that we all agree on a few than to disagree on one. The first one that we are very interested in and we feel is the most important of all the charter revisions that we hope will be made, is that the county will be divided into districts with none at-large. No councilmen being elected at-large. I talked for some time with a lady here who is a businesswoman in Hilo and she stated that if you don 't have anyone at-large, they don ' t really see the overall picture and the idea of having two or three at-large is to give that overall county picture. That seems a little redundant because a county councilman by his name represents the county, but what it really does is not so much for the councilman but it gives the people someone that has to be responsible for their district. It is very difficult to pin anyone down when they run at-large and especially if they have lost in their own district. Now, as you know, this has happened three times in the last ten years. Their own district didn ' t elect them but the rest of the island did. That means that that person is really not going to be that responsive to a group of people who didn ' t even want him. . .his own district where he resides. We feel that districts tell the people this is your man, he is responsible for your district but he must look at the county as a whole because he is called a "County Councilman. " We suggest that there be nine members as there are now. At the present time, as you know, no one will admit that Kona has grown since 1970. The same census they had then of 12,000 people is used today, eight years later--nine years later. I can tell you Kona is explosive. It has not only grown it is bulging at the seams. We don ' t have such a thing as streets like you have Waianuenue Avenue and Kamehameha Avenue. We have two little highways, two little roads and that ' s it. They are stuffed with cars and with people and we've got some tremendous problems. I can tell you, it has grown. If the census is to be used that they have from 1970 then I suggest that we go to the 4 districts that you have now for your house of representatives. That these 9 members be apportioned according to an apportionment commission. - 2 -