HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0109.010 2020-2022 l
N.t
,CLE RK
COUNTY Of HMi
Notes for Gov't Committee by Robert Golden 1011
• You have a choice before you-either think out of the box and create a new relationship with
your constituents or do the same old, same old and expect the same results.
• Roth administration has been in office almost a year and I believe in the next 94 days we will see
if the County has decided to do the same dance or work to be truly innovative.
o Puna Recovery—Revitalize Puna—will be the test case
■ Hints of positive change—partnership between County, creation of co-chairs
and County—six teams,
■ RED FLAGS—abound
• Department of Water Services—How much of FEMA FUNDS are being #
targets to the impacted areas? No commitment to supplying water to
Ahalanui
• No commitment to restore Ahalanui by Parks and Rec—in fact they are
using funds for Hilo Municipal Golf Course—over the objection of the
co-chairs.
• County has not responded to the letters that Lower Puna Rising have
sent them after the last two Zoom calls in June and October. We raised
questions and requested to meet with the County,but they have not given
us the courtesy of a response.
■ The County is at a choice point: it could go down the path of seeking community
engagement in a superficial way and do what the County wants to do.All the
dynamics are in place for the County to do the same old dance, and not seek an
authentic,working partnership with the people it represents.
• People like me,community activists,are volunteers and are driven by
our passion. But you are not using this resource.We have become the
"loyal opposition"—we push, petition, provide testimony,and yes,we
have some victories—like getting 132 and 137 recovered.
• Or you have the power to refashion your relationship with the people,
trust them, listen to them,and truly work with them:
• My proposal:
o Hold in-person community meetings each dedicated to a single
big issue:e.g., road recovery,water services, parks& recreation,
building codes. Do one a month.
o Bring all the County people(and Council Reps)to the gym at
Pahoa meet in small groups with community residents and task
each group to develop working solutions to these issues. Let the
community residents be educated by the County and vicer-
versa.
o Commit that you will implement the consensus of each
respective community meetings.
o This will forge a connection of trust and understanding between
the community and the County.You will empower community
to help you fulfill your charge.
Gomm.
Ref. To:NONam
Ref. tete NOV 1 7 2021