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and you are going to say, okay, the number of personnel is <br /> going to be cut because of the merger, then you are going to <br /> get into a situation. . . <br /> MRS. KOBAYASHI : But, based on what your <br /> presentation to us last time was, you don ' t have very many <br /> personnel that are regular civil service employees, do you? <br /> MR. GARCIA: The department has seven, including <br /> the director and deputy. Seven full time employees. <br /> MRS. KOBAYASHI : But the director and the deputy <br /> are not covered by civil service. <br /> MR. GARCIA: Right, we are appointees. <br /> MRS. KOBAYASHI : So, actually, you have five <br /> collective bargaining unit employees. So, what we are really <br /> talking about is five employees. <br /> MR. GARCIA: I think it goes a little more than <br /> just employees, as such. It is just the function that we <br /> want the department to serve. I think it is a little bigger <br /> than just that type of consideration. <br /> MRS. KOBAYASHI : . . .the arguments that have <br /> been given us, seem to be consolidation is more economical use <br /> of county money. This is why I wanted. . . <br /> MR. GARCIA: Yes, and I would raise the question <br /> to counter that with just what do we expect of the county, <br /> where do we want to go. I think if we are talking about <br /> economic development, this should be a primary focus within the <br /> county and it should not become a part of anything else within <br /> the county, as far as I am concerned. I think we have great <br /> potential for this county. We have great potential for growth. We <br /> shouldnot undermine that particular potential that we have. <br /> CHAIRMAN SAKATA: Any other questions? Mr. <br /> Schutte. <br /> MR. SCHUTTE: Mr. Garcia, then what you are <br /> saying is that you definitely feel that these two departments <br /> are not compatible. . .and they should remain as two separate <br /> departments. You cannot see any economics in putting them <br /> together. . .outside of <br /> MR. GARCIA. I really don ' t understand what is <br /> going to be saved by the consolidation. If anything, I think, <br /> in the long run, it is going to be hurting the so-called <br /> promotional efforts as far as the county is concerned. And, <br /> again, I would like to emphasize this is the function promoting <br /> the Big Island. I don ' t think we can depend on someone else <br /> to do this for us. Whether it be the state or someone else. <br /> This is a function, I think, we should be responsible for <br /> ourselves. <br /> -9- <br />