HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0785.025 2022-2024 p /coEAC
Pill 11-0
GOMM.785
Margaret Wille, Esq.
P.O. Box 6398
Kamuela, HI 96743
Inw( rnwiawhawaii.com .,
808-854-6931
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EMAIL TO: counciltestimonv(a0awaiicountv.gov
March 31,2024
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TO: COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS `;‘,-
Chair—Council Member Evans Vice Chair Lee Loy and Committee Members "-'
RE: APPROVAL IN PART AND OPPOSITION IN PART TO BILL 143 AS DRAFTED
Bill as drafted: INITIATES AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE III,SECTION 3-
2,OF THE HAWAII COUNTY CHARTER(2022 EDITION),RELATING TO COUNTY
COUNCIL TERMS-Hearing: Tues.,April 2,2024—1PM
SUPPORT: TO CHANGE THE LENGTH OF COUNCIL MEMBERS TERMS TO 4 YEARS
INSTEAD OF TWO YEARS.
OPPOSE: CHANGING THE TERM LIMIT FOR COUNSEL MEMBERS TO 12 CONSECUTIVE
YEARS INSTEAD OF EIGHT CONSECUTIVE YEARS
SUPPORT FOR 4 YEAR TERMS: WITH TWO YEAR TERMS,OTHER THAN COMMENTING
ON THE PROPOSED BUDGETS,MOST ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS SPEND THEIR SECOND
TERM CAMPAIGNING AND GIVING OUT DISCRETIONARY FUNDS TO THOSE THEY WANT
SUPPORT FROM IN THE NEXT ELECTION. I OBSERVED THIS WHILE I WAS A COUNCIL
MEMBER IN 2012-2014 AND 2014-2016,WHEN MOST EVERY BILL OF SUBSTANCE DURING
THE SECOND YEAR OF THE WERE MINE ALONE,WHILE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS
WERE BUSY FIRMING UP THEIR REELECTION RATHER THAN WORKING TO IMPROVE
THE WELFARE OF THEIR CONSTITUENCY.
OPPOSITION TO INCREASING THE NUMBER OF CONSECUTIVE YEARS ALLOWED:
YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING—CLEARLY THIS IS A PLAY BY THE CURRENT COUNSEL
MEMBERS TO SET THEMSELVES UP FOR A LONG STINT AT COUNSEL -AND
UNFORTUNATELY THE MORE SECURE THEY FEEL THE LESS THEY LISTEN TO ALL OF
THE VOICES IN THEIR CONSTITUENCY.
Please amend this bill accordingly to two four-year terms with a max of eight consecutive years—
inclusive of years already served by those now in office.
Thank you for your consideration.
Margaret Wile, Waimea District 9
Comm. Igo
Ref. To: �111�I1
Ref. Date PR - 2 2024