CHC 1979-05-22 PH - Laserfiche WebLink

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Thus, the rational analysis of the flow of power shows that the election-by-district plan emasculates the Kona voters and opens the way to the control by wealth of the county leg'islat'ive, process as it concern's issues internal to Kona. However, on the basis of my analysis, I feel that the proposal has some merits. It is fair. It provides good candidate differentiation. I feel that because of these merits , we should accept the proposal to a ' limited extent and combine it with some, features of the present election at-large system to provide the Kona voters with a system that meets the criteria of effectiveness of our votes, fairness , and differentiation of ;,eanclidates. A plan that would provide for 4 districts of equal population, each voting one councilman , would require 3 councilmen elected 'at-large to provide each votertt�he power that comes from being the constituent of the majority of the councilmen. A plan that would provide for 5 districts of equal population , each voting one councilman , would require 4 councilmen elected at-large to provide each voter the power that comes with being the constituent of a majority of councilmen. A number of districts above five, I feel ; runs into the problem of not meeting the criterion of economy. Elected as they are from d'_stricts, the term of office of the 'district councilmen could be limited to two:(years, thereby giving the ,Voters the opportunity to exercise the power^; of their ballot more often. The 'terms' of the councilmen running at-large could be left at four years as a trade-off to "the cost of running at-large with half of the at-large councilmen elected every two years. Thus, at any one election, a voter need vote for only three councilmen at most. A good differentiation of candidates is possible. The most important criterion?'E'or a county charter proposal is the criterion of acceptability. As representatives of the various districts thro'ug'hout the County of Hawaii , I feel that the judgrnen `t on this criterion is made by you as members of the County Charter Commission. , 'I ask that you exercise that judgment on the basis of the, important other criteria of 'effectiveness of the power of the votes of the people throughdut the county, fairness , and candidate differentiation. Thank you. MR. CADINHA: Mr. Kawasaki. I think I heard 5 district representatives, 3 at-large, is that correct? MR. KAWASAKI: Criterion acceptability is your decision to make 'so what, i have proposed, in\;:case you decide that this should be 5 id- streets, then I would ask for -40-