HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0013.246 2002-2004
05/18/2003 10:00 806-329-:'497 HILL M S PAGE 03
'lbra'a II Restatnttitat k Gotaage
745SSS "d" IGiwi St.
xa;laa-xoaa, Hawaii REC' i'~,~ - J
caos)szb-moo '03 JUN 30 Pal 8 23
11 COtJr` ;;~._~f .r:
beat Council Member aJ }R ~ 5 A!j-ft KA kc COUNTY iF HAWAII
1 have never been so disappointed in the actions of this Council as I was beet week at the atsedng hate in
Kona. Many people who favased Bill 260 Smotiag Ban", exceeded their dtne limit. Those speaking
out for dteir right to run their own bwiness or their right to engage in a legal activity that also helps fill
the govemmant pockets, wee strictly held to the time allotted. I uadereuurd you cannot plaass all of the
people all the time, but it aeetru, in this cane, the council has gene too frr to please the vocal minority
of people wu:, do not come into my bar. including most of you.
Many pro Bi112t50 speakers exceeded the 3 minute limit, one by up to 30 tointttes. That man claimed
cigaxttes were drugs noel smoking them was the gateway to cocaine and varioas other narcotic- I
aaoked heavily for years and never "graduated" to "Ice". Perhaps, the Council rhonld rediroet their
focus to helping thost "Clraduates". the Ice and Heroin addicts, who ARE breaking the law, and Igrve
those responsible adults who chose to legally smoke cigarettes with a ptaoe to gather and laugh at that
iaeredible claim.
It appeared many of your member had already decided on this Bill and were not interested in hearing
from a number of her owners who fear they will lose their busiaesa. We ktrow several member d the
Council do not frequent ban or nightclubs. Those who testified is favor of this Bill do not frequent bars
or nightclubs either, nor will they in the future! I sek you, why then, is that testimony relevant to my
buoaea?
The young children who wet+e allowed to testify are too young to vote. They cannot buy tobacco prod-
ucts, nor alcohol nor are they allowed to be in a bar. Why were they allowed to address the Council on a
Bi11 that they an too young to comprehend, or anderstend the impact this bill will have on my bgsinesaT
Minos are allowed to addmes this Bill, taking up valuable time, while a woman with cartent snastical
information, nlatiag to the effect hilts such sa these have had, was told to summarize sad eat short.
It ie sad a six year old child who cannot possibly have any idea of the impact this bill will have on the
Islands economy is allowed to dictate what my business can and caauot allow my paying eautomera to
do. My business caters to adults who have made their choices. They don't aced minors udag sopho-
moric guilt tactip to influence County Policy.
If this bill is paned and my business suffers the 30961oas (ea reported by one Manhattan bar owner) my
employees will be without a job by the end of the summer. Hvw protected by their Cotmdl do you think
they will feel? We are already mandated by Federal Law to make facilidae accessible to these with .
diesbilides. I am happy sad willing to make costly itnprovemeau in my bar sad in my cotnmuaity, to
ensure everyone's comfort and enjoyment. I fool the same way is rsgarda to smokers. I believe they
have as much right to egloy a drink sad ¦ cigarette as a wheelchair-bound cwtonrer has m enjoy a meal
at an upstairs testament, or oomttntabty move through the aisles of a suparmarkat. 1 A (~L
Comm. No. ? r ` 11D
Ret. To; E?aseatesl I I
Ref. Dote
05/l.8/2003 10:00 808-329-2497 HILL M B PAGE 04
This bill should include eatsblishmoota where food is prepared and eaten, where families dine and
expect eo bs able to enjoy their meal together in ¦ smoke free environment. Bars and nightclubs do not
and should not belong in this cstegory. No one is disputing that. At very least bare and nightclubs
should be allowed to de~goate thetnselves as smoking at nonsmoking establishments. They have had
the opdon of going nonsmoking, and some already chose to do so. Fasentially, you aro trying to force
into law, something already being done by small business owners exercising the frcedan to run Choir
own business.
We are caking for the same consideration given to the hotels when the bill was amended to allow them to
decide how many rooms would be dedicated to smoking end non smoking. We only ask for that name
tight be given to the bar and nightclub owners . Alltrvv us to decide what is best for our businessts.
This would enable me to run my business the way 1 see fit and be able to give my cuatomera, who have
supported me for yearn, what they want. Shouldn't the smatl business bar sad nauttrant owners De
given the acme opportunity as gig Business enterprise, corporate resort establishments, an showed?
Fair and reasonable enforcement will be yet another issue that will be not only increax the work load of
our police department, but will also be vory difficult for them to impose on the citizens of Kona. How
msay REAL emergency, 91 I responses, wit I go unattended while police arc writing tickets? I)o you
really expect the police to eanvae the bars for smokers, while the "Ice" and other drug dealers run the
streets enticing preteens and Ceara with their goods? One can only imaYtne the inequities that will result
and the p~*_ible conaegttenoes that are bound to follow.
1 urge you to amend this bill now! Save the County apd the tax paysrs the expense that could be in-
curred by a challenge of this bill at a later date, Do the right thing tot aroell buaineas enterprix end for
rttany citizens of Kona who will rapport this amendment and your efTort!
~Y(,o~ur~s
Tr~ul/fy-, ~A
l /TAY
Marty Hill,
Co-owner, Twu'a I[
Kailas-Kona, Hawaii
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