Comm No 0003.01.16 - Testimony - Ad Hoc - PONC fund and Maintenance fund

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E From: Debbie H [mailto:hecht.deb@gmail.com] Sent: Sunday, November 04, 2018 9:38 AM To: Charter Commission <charter.commission@hawaiicounty.gov> Subject: 2% Land and Maintenance Fund proposed changes FOR ALL CHARTER COMMISSIONERS Aloha Commissioners, My name is Debbie Hecht. I have been the Campaign Coordinator for the 2% Land Fund since 2005. I worked with Council member Brenda Ford as her legislative aide, and we wrote the legislation for both the 2% Land Fund and the Maintenance Fund. Our group collected signatures in 2006 to get the issue on the ballot, when 63% of voters approved the ballot measure. We appeared before the Charter Commission in 2009-2010, when they put the amount at 1%, which we encouraged voters to vote for. In order to honor all the people who signed the 2% Land Fund petitions, we brought forward another charter amendment to return the amount as 2%. All three of these ballot measures were approved by 63% of our loyal supporters. We have started an email campaign to educate them about your work to potentially change the 2% Land Fund. I have read the Ad Hoc Committee's Report and watched Mayor Kim's comments. There are some points of misinformation that should be corrected. We believe it's very important that the people making changes to the highest law of our County be well-informed on all sides of this issue. I would like to address you on November 12th for 10 to 15 minutes. I asked this of the Chair last week, when the Secretary directed my email only to him. I would not be available again until January. Although Sunshine Law stipulates notice, this rule could be suspended, or I could be heard during questions and answers if Committee members had questions of clarification or wanted to know the history of the ballot measures, or our comments on the proposals of the Ad Hoc Committee, or if our group had ideas on how to strengthen the 2% Land Fund and Maintenance Fund to better serve the people who build community around these lands. I believe if you heard a full report that this might save time for public testimony. There would be 3 parts: 1. A short history 2. Comments on the Ad Hoc's Committees proposals 3. Our proposed changes to the Charter 4. Questions and Answers Mahalo for your consideration on this important matter. Mahalo for your service to our community. 1 Comm. No. 3.1.16