HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0452.004 2004-2006 Page I of 1
Murashige, Laura
From: dtemple@netscape.com
Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 12:46 PM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Testimony for council meeting nov 9th
Attached, please find testimony for today's council meeting.
Thank you for getting this before the council.
Denyse Lynn Temple
Netscape. Just the Net You Need.
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News fer and about Puna people brought to you FREE by the merchants and businesses of Puna
November 9, 2005
To: All Members of the County Council
From: Denyse Lynn 'T'emple, Editor/Publisher
Honorable Members of the Council,
1 am writing to express my opposition to the 2006 HSAC Legislative Package, specifically that
portion which seeks to amend Section 92-10, HRS exempting all elected legislative boards, including
County Councils from the State's Sunshine Law.
1 recognize that the Sunshine Law frequently interrupts the smooth flow of business by placing
time restrictions on when meetings can be held so that the general public has time to review the
information or agendized discussion planned. 1 also recognize that the law sometimes restricts the
free exchange of ideas between council members. However, our government is based on openness of
information to the citizenry.
The Sunshine Law was originally enacted to insure that that openness prevailed and that the
people, whom you represent, knew what was happening and had the right, if they so chose to take it.
to express their opinions. Its passage was mandated by the people to insure against the governmenf s
abuse of power and brought about by just that--abuse of power. Exempting any branch of
government from that law opens the door for the potential return of that abuse. At a time when our
federal legislative body faces a 29% approval rating, our state legislative body faces an approval
rating not much higher than that, and suspicion of government in general, even at the county level, is
gaining momentum daily, support of this amendment implies that there is something to fear from
those in power.
In short lady and gentlemen: Those who have nothing to tear should not fear-especially the
Sunshine Law.
I urge you to vote against this amendment.
Sincerely, x~c
Denyse Lynn Temple
FditorlPublisher, Puna News
15-2725 O`opu St., Pahoa, HI 96778 Phone: 965-7139 E-mail: dtemple@netscape.com