HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0193.024 1996-1998 RPR-22-97 TUE 05:41 PM KONR ?.RAFTS zo3ggqq P O1
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To: County Council chairman, James Arakaki ~ ~ '
All members of the County Council ~ `
From Gretchen Lawson, Executive Director, Kona Kraft ~ ~
Re' 1997 appropriations for non-profit grants: Kona Kra 1 . ; ~
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Testimony to be heard at the 9;00 am Council meeting concerning this issue
Thank you for your support of Kona Krafts (Kona Association for
Retarded Citizens). I understand that our proposal will be acted upon at this
mornings' meeting. It is unfortunate that I can not be in attendance, as I consider
this a vitally important step in the future of Kona Krafts. As you nlay be aware,
the West Hawaii community provided Kona Krafts with a great demonstration of
support during a cash flow crisis that occurred last August. This su;~port is a
message that the citizens oflia« aii County/Kona district value the services
provided by Kona Krafts. It is c_itical at this time to preserve the public funding to
the greatest degree possible and I ask you to reconsider the $1,000.00 cut in
appropriation that is presented to you this morning.
As I mentioned the comwunity has demonstrated their suplx~n, the $oard
and staff have worked diligently and untiringly to find other sources of revenue as
w~ acknowledge the difficulties inherent in dwindling public moneys. Now that
~re have all contributod to insure the long term survival of the orgerization; it is
important that the County continue to fund those costs which we cannot otherwise
cover. Given the current funding; climate, Kona Krafls only requested the status
quo in our proposal_ We are aware and respectful of the role the County must play
in managing public money. However, a $1000.00 decrease in revenue ~i~ll be very
hard for us to absorb. Once again, I wge you to recognize the value that working
with people of disability and the contribution to community that these people
make when their skill levels are increased and their dependency on public tnoney
diminishes with positive effective programs.
Thank you for restoring the $12,000. 00 funding level for fiscal year `97-'98
Yksstar. Yo,., ~
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