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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0159.120 2024-2026p 5. Counci �ilf 32 Comm. rJq From: Lori Rowley Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 8:53 AM ' c-) To: Council Testimony Subject: Communication 159A1 to amend Bill No. 32, Draft 2. _�.� Aloha Chair and Members of the Council, My name is Lori, and I'm a full time resident in Waikoloa Village-: I am testifying in support of Communication 159.41 to amend Bill No. t 32, Draft 2. 1 fully support this amendment for funding the initial engineering of Waikoloa's second arterial road. There are many reasons why this road is crucial to our community's future but New funding is being added to the 2025 CIP budget for street paving projects, new parks, and other amenities. that have not been planned for 17 years and ARE NOT flagged by the County plan as a "very high priority" project needed to prevent the loss of life. Saving lives from catastrophic fires should rank as a higher priority. Waikoloa Village is one of the fastest -growing communities on the Big Island, with housing plans set to double the population over the next 20 years. No community should have to rely on a single road in an emergency. Especially not a community as vulnerable to a major wildfire disaster as Waikoloa Village. In 2021, the largest wildfire in the history of the state burned within 3 miles of the Village. This is a very real danger to our community. We know you face tough budget decisions, but this is a rare opportunity to prevent disaster rather than react to it. Your `yes' vote will save lives. We're hopeful that with your leadership, we can finally move forward in securing the second road that our community has needed for years. COMM. Ref. To: 1 Ref. Dale 2 2 2025 Thank you for considering this critical amendment. We are counting on your Leadership to address our community's safety needs. We humbly ask for your `yes' vote on this amendment. Thankyou Lori 2