HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0989.099 2018-2020 From: Bennie Ningeok-Ross
Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2020 8:01 PM
To: Poindexter, Valerie; Chung, Aaron; Lee Loy, Sue; Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder,
Matt; David, Maile; Villegas, Rebecca; Eoff, Karen; Richards, Tim; Council Testimony
Subject: Bill 179
COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAI'I
RECEIVED
Dear council members, Time 3:01 pm By dif5
ate JUL 2 1 . 020
Bill 179 poses a threat to small businesses, middle class workers, and tie economy aciuss the island. I have been a
carpenter for 17 years in Kona, Hawaii. It is a short sighted move for our local government to try and circumvent
standards we have held all of our construction trades to for so long. Bills like this serve to only benefit business
persons who can't figure out how to be competitive in an open market, and try to undercut needing to pay their
workers a living wage. In my experience, contractors use factories like this to get their foot in the door of the uber
rich of Kona's Gold Coast resorts. I have many friends who have been able to provide for their families, have reliable
health insurance, and be able to save for retirement due to a competitive market that plays by the
rules. Circumventing traditional building practices for a select few to cut corners will not sit well with me or my
fellow tradespersons.
Respectfully,
Bennie Ningeok-Ross
Superintendent, Chairman for Unit 2 Local 745, Scout Leader
Comm. No. ci$ci.qq
Ref.To: Pt COul1C1
1 Ref. Date 1/22/2020