HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0212.238 1996-1998 p ~ ~ HAWAII AGRICULTURAL PROMOTIONAL ASSOCIATION
' ' ~ P.O. BOX 1333 • HILO, HAWAII 96721
Eric Weinert, President TEL: (808) 966-6633 FAX: (808) 966-6900
Rory Flynn, Public Affairs Director TEL/FAX: (808) 963-5417
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April 28, 1997 ~Cp ~ -7
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Councilman James Arakaki CL, ~ ~I
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street z~;;, ~ j
Hilo, Hawaii 96720 ~
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Dear Councilman Arakaki, v
I wish to extend my deepest appreciation for your courage and principled support for
the proposed ordinance, Bill 62 as amended, to establish apost-harvest irradiation
facility in East Hawaii.
As one who attended the entire marathon Finance Committee meeting of April 24, I
applaud you and your fellow council members for your fairness, patience, and diligence
in listening to the many members of our community who presented testimony that day.
You and your fellow committee members demonstrated a steadfast and memorable
commitment to open county government.
I realize that this issue has troubling and divisive implications for our community. At
the same time, your committee wisely adopted amendments to specify areas for
funding and assure accountability by the Council for all contracted expenditures. Local
growers, too, expect to share in the capital financing of this project and to promote
thoughtful marketing and public education efforts in support of post-harvest quarantine
technology. We welcome your counsel and collaboration in these efforts.
Your vote signified that a fair, rational evaluation of irradiation technology for
quarantine treatment has concluded that the proposed facility is safe and poses no
credible harm to our environment or to the integrity of our agricultural exports. No
degree of emotion, stridency or threats can alter this fact. In this regard, your vote set a
high standard for sound, principled judgment.
Again, mahalo for your courageous support for this initiative to help our farmers and
build our local economy.
Sincerely,
~ ~
Rory'plyn~
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