CHC 1979-05-22 PH - Laserfiche WebLink

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and evaluate all 18 candidates. So I feel that the present system of 9 at-large elected councilmen does not meet my criterion of differentiation of differentiation. A proposal for the election of the councilmen by districts has been made by some Kona organizations. I shall now assess this proposal on the basis of my criteria. The proposal calls for the assignment of the number of councilmen for each district on the basis of the population of the district so that each councilman ' will represent and be chosen from an equal number of people. This aspect of the proposal is fair. The election by district proposal calls for the election of up to three councilmen in any one district. This number allows good differentiation of candidates. I shall now discuss the effectiveness of the power of my vote over the County legislative process under this proposal. Issues may be settled by elected officials on the basis of goodwill or charity. But the final nitty- gritty of decision-making in a showdown of conflicting interests is the power of the majority vote. For as you are aware, in our democratic political system, the decision is made by a majority vote. In a council of 9 members, 5 votes passes the motion. The population of East Hawaii centered in Hilo is far larger than the population of West Hawaii centered in Kona. Thus , on the basis of population, the larger number of Councilmen would come from the Hilo area and vicinity. These councilmen would have the common interest of a common area and form a lasting coalition . In a council of 9 members , all it takes is, a coalition of 5 members to exercise control. The other 4 members have no power. Because of the division of the county into two areas of activities through geography and by tradition , and the far larger population is in East Hawaii , under the plan to elect the councilmen by districts , I would; as a Kona voter, be voting for the powerless minority of two. My real power over the county legislative process is reduced to zero for I am not a constituent of a majority of the councilmen. And where does the power go? Initially, the power goes to the councilman who is now free of the constraints of the Kona voters. He can decide an issue internal to Kona on the basis of the best interest, of himself and the voters of his own district who are his constituents. - He does not have to come to me or to the Kona 'people ' for votes. He is free to look after his own self-interest. He can act with total unconcern for the power of the Kona voters and can respond to the visible and invisible influencesthat are brought to bear on him by people and organizations 'with the wealth to lobby effectively. -39-