HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0341.013 1996-1998 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
-SLAND RESOURCES, LTD.
_ "Resource Management Witit Imagination"
STEPHEN BOWLES mater Land • Energy Telephone (808) 885-5941
President Fax (808) 885-7851
Home/office (808) 885-4759
June 9, 1997
Senator Mizuguchi
Senate President
State Capitol
Honolulu, HI 96813
SUBJ: LEADERSHIP AND PRIVATIZATION
Dear Senator Mizuguchi,
I read your letter in West Hawaii Today on the same day as receiving a letter
from the County of Hawaii explaining that a pending contract for my services is
postponed indefinitely and under review. Additionally, I have read the Court's
decision on the West Hawaii land fill in order to understand why I must endure a
severe loss in income at a time of economic depression in our State, a time
when I need this income the most.
When you were elected to office, you took on the responsibility and obligation of
serving all of the citizens of this State. Your presentation in WHT left me with
the distinct feeling that you are not exhibiting the leadership which we expect
from our legislators. The Court has carefully laid out the area of the civil service
law which needs correction in its eyes. As is typical today, the courts seem to
ignore the intent of law and dwell on process, as you have done in your
explanation of legislative failure.
You must call a special session to straighten un the lanauaae so that we, the
citizens of this State can get on with life. You do not need task forces, studies
and other gimmicks to delay the solution. The Court decision clearly states what
will satisfy the law as they see it. As a former County employee with experience
in the system, I know the financial security offered with a guaranteed civil service
job, as well as, the inefficiencies within the system.
Please call a special session now to clarify the law. The idea of a 2 year
moratorium will not deal with the inevitable, only confuse and delay the solution.
P.Q. $ox 16$6 Kamuela, Hawaii 96743
Senator Mizuguchi
Page Two
To not call a session displays a reckless disregard for all the families which pay
the taxes in this State. The civil servants still receive their income, which we
must pay for from contracts and services within the private sector (which are in
depression). Many small but essential service businesses will die due to the
loss of a portion of their income . These businesses are often very specialized
and exist in a pocket market known as Hawaii.
While there is much discussion about all of the changes which must be made,
the lack of Senate leadership, which considers all of the citizens, is the reason
we, in Hawaii, are not enjoying the economic health which the rest of our
Country is. My children and grandchildren are, and will continue to be,
disenfranchised as a result of self serving leadership. I appeal to you to exhibit
the kind of leadership we truly need. This is a very critical time for Hawaii and
we cannot survive in the world's economy if our critical services are disrupted
and dismantled, an action which is already happening through bankruptcy.
I realize that the urban people on Oahu do not understand the problems of rural
communities, such as ours, and particularly the County of Hawaii with its
immense land area. It is time that the leaders in our State became aware of the
difficulty in providing essential services in these rural settings. On Hawaii, we
have become accustomed to community solutions, such as the privatization of
the solid waste facilities. To do otherwise would bankrupt the taxpayer. Our
Mayor has led us through very difficult times in our economy. Private
wastewater and drinking water facilities exist in many communities within our
County and are essential to the life and welfare of our people. One need only to
look and the plantation camps of Hamakua to see the positive impact of private
operations.
Again, I appeal to you to rise above the maze of union and political power issues
and pursue a course of leadership which supports all of Hawaii's people.
cerely,
Stephen P. Bowles
Copies to: Governor Cayetano
Senator Andy Levin
Mayor Yamashiro