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MR. SAMESHIMA: I don' t think that an admin- <br /> istrative aide could handle whatever I am proposing. We should <br /> have such functions as the building permit department. We <br /> should have the planning department and one of the planning <br /> department officials to be stationed in North Kona, or South <br /> Kona, wherever it would be centrally located. This is provided <br /> in the charter that the administration or the county council <br /> shall provide such a satellite sort of city hall type of <br /> operation. This would eliminate much of the problems of <br /> traveling for the West Hawaii people. <br /> MR. ISHIDA: I 'm sympathetic with that position , <br /> Councilman. The only thing with that problem I am having is I <br /> think if the charter is to clarify that situation then I think <br /> it should more or less state what services, if any, are to be <br /> served through the satellite offices. What I would like to know, <br /> now, also is what would you suggest as to what services should <br /> be stated and established. Just leaving a provision like that <br /> in the charter in a general fashion is leaving it too much up <br /> to interpretation . <br /> MR. SAMESHIMA: Actually, what my intention was <br /> that we should have a member of the treasury department , you <br /> know, collection of automobile taxes , dog taxes, bicycle taxes. <br /> We should have a least one of each who does all of these services. <br /> All the various departments.. . Planning department.. . As far as <br /> the inspection department, building permits , I 'm not sure if <br /> they could apply for building permits in Kona. I still think <br /> they have to do to Hilo. But that ' s not too bad. If you go <br /> once, that ' s about it. Sometimes maybe you have to go several <br /> times. Subdivision rezoning I think is one of the biggest <br /> problems for West Hawaii and West Hawaii can afford it. I believe <br /> that West Hawaii pays more than 50% of property taxes. I feel <br /> that we deserve something better than the treatment that we 've <br /> been getting all this time. <br /> If you look at even our capital improvements and <br /> you look at the reports that we get, you hardly see anything for <br /> West Hawaii . It ' s about time that West Hawaii should be <br /> recognized and then you could do that--you know, this is not <br /> going to cost a hell of a lot of money--West Hawaii can afford <br /> it and if you initiate these changes and tell our government <br /> officials to follow whatever you place on the ballot and the <br /> people will make the final decision. But if you give the people <br /> a chance to vote on it, you know, like everything else, Initiative <br /> and whatever, I feel that whatever the people ' s will--should be <br /> placed on the ballot and let ' s leave it up to the people. It is <br /> going to be up t.o the community of the people that are concerned <br /> to let the people know the benefits of each proposal that would <br /> be placed on the ballot. If the Hilo people feel that_, hell , <br /> let ' s not give West Hawaii that break--that ' s it. Let ' s give it <br /> a try. <br /> MR. ISHIDA° Thank you. <br /> -19- <br />