HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0236.113 2024-2026P /CWcJ
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From:
Glenn Willson
CCD
Sent:
Thursday, May 15, 2025 3:47 PM
To:
Council Testimony, Glenn Willson
Subject:
Opposition to Bill 47
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Aloha,
-
I am opposing Bill 47 and respectfully pleading with the council to shelf this bill at LEAST until we have
the results of the.Economic Impact Study we were promised. If you move forward with the bill without the
results of the surveys (we were also promised updated surveys at the meeting last month) and the
Economic Impact Study we were promised, the damage will already be done.
By Law and common decency, when a bill fails at the County Council, it cannot be re -introduced for 2
years. This would give ample time to get the results of the Economic Impact Study so the Council can
make educated decisions as well as give Big Island residents, tax payers, voters, who count on STR
income to make ends meet, time to weather the current economic crisis.
We have been operating without Government interference and paying our fair share of taxes for decades.
I think it is a very reasonable request to wait on the results of the economic impact study BEFORE making
any hasty decisions without all the facts that will affect both the Big Island as a whole and its residents.
Honestly, I cannot imagine what the hurry is after all the stress caused by Bill 121 except to appease the
hotels and resorts backing this bill.
Before you make your decision, I respectfully ask that you put yourself in this very realistic position. You
or your elderly parents bought a home many years ago and due to the economy could not afford to live in
the home without renting their Ohana to make ends meet. They are still struggling but getting by, running
their small farm, and living a happy life. then, after 15 successful years, are faced with losing their home,
going bankrupt, losing their small farm, due to Government greed and an unfair, inequitable bill passed
designed to help the hotels and resorts simply because they are renting their unpermitted ohana on their
small farm like they have successfully for the last 15 years. Now; you or your elderly parents can no
Longer afford to live here and are too old to start over. Before the bill passed, they were making ends meet
and enjoying retirement - after the bill passed, they become part of the homeless population or simply
have to move off Island. Isn't the "guise" of the bill to make more affordable housing so long time
residents can afford to live here (which certainly didn't work on Oahu!)?
Thank you in advance for considering my opposition, putting a stop to this bill, and letting local residents
relax and enjoy life without the constant abuse, stress, and anxiety. Let us rest and give ample time for
the Economic Impact Study and making a bill that is fair and equitable to all.
Mahalo,
A concerned longtime resident and small farmer with 100% 5 star reviews. y
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