COM 0341.013 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Testimony of Steve Bowles regarding Privatization June 18, 1997 Chairman and Members of the Council, County of Hawaii My name is Steve Bowles and I have come to testify in support of a special session of the State legislature to rectify the issues of Civil Service law and privatization brought out by the Konno decision on the Puu Anahulu Land fill. I have read the Court's decision several times in order to understand why private citizens are being punished by the UPW and the Courts, all of which we pay for. Waimea Water Services Inc., and its subcontractor Island Resources, Ltd., have received suspension notices for two of its contracted jobs under the County DWS. These jobs had been scheduled into our work load and financial commitments had been made. While the jobs represent only a portion of our gross earnings, they are critical in our specialized service market. I am sure others in the private sector are being damaged as well. I have written a letter (attached) to Senator Mizuguchi requesting that a special session be called to rectify the necessary language in the Civil Service law to permit us to go back to work. In my review of the decision, it became clear that the Court has no understanding of the real world. WMI, in its commitment to the citizens of this County has assumed responsibilities way beyond the commitments required under the Civil Service laws which the Court cites. I am not an Attorney and I cannot argue the issues and fine print of the law. I can however read and understand what the Court said and I totally disagree with the public statements of Senator Mizuguchi attempting to transfer the responsibility to the Counties. Our plight has been established first by the UPW in filing the suit and second by the narrow and irresponsible decision of the Court. The Legislature has the responsibility to create State law, not the Court. Since the Court disagrees with the intent of the law as written, as a note of cynicism, let us call a special session and transfer the environmental and legal liabilities of the Puu Anahulu landfill directly onto the civil servents operating the landfill and the UPW, in particuiai iia ieduers. I submit that it is time for a tea party. I strongly request that the Council and the Mayor join together and take out full page educational advertisements in the Honolulu papers which lay out the case for a special session and the changes in the law which are needed. K.I.S.$. As a taxpayer of this County, I'm sure that the privatization of the Puu Anahulu landfill is supported by the producing silent majority. I'm also positive that most civil servants are in full support of the posture taken by this County as it directly effects their property taxes. Thank you for hearing me out. Cossira Dio. 3~~ f ~j:. lib 1Aa E L/. !M t'rosowtedC~~' ~ JUN l 8 1991