HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0479.003 1996-1998 . i
fof ~unt Ot[[Pt, wits 22& J~'zoae: (&0&1 935-574f
Jam. Boz g33& ~oit~ : ~&o&~ q35-&z6g
~{rPo, ~{J gb~2o c_,.,aiL : ~@ytE.,~
September 16, 1997
RECEIV®
n"'°------ gv----
~ Count' Councll~P- r~
Honorable Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd
Council Member, Second District
and Members of the County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Re: Draft Bill 137, Relating to Creating A Public Safety Commission
Dear Ms. Leithead-Todd and Members of the County Council:
Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you on Draft Bill 137.
I am speaking today as a concerned citizen and as a member of the Police Commission but not
on behalf of the Police Commission. This matter is on the agenda for the meeting of the Police
Commission on Friday, September 12, 1997 in Kona and there may be testimony at a later date
on behalf of the Police Commission.
Members of boards and commissions serve voluntarily and put in a lot of time and effort to
serve the community in which we live. As a member of the Police Commission for two and a
half years, I can assure you that each of us spends between six and twelve hours preparing for
the monthly meetings.
We then spend another six to ten hours away from our homes and places of employment on
meeting days. Since the Police Commission meetings are held in different districts each month,
we all spend time driving to and from the meetings. Depending on the location, some will drive
for only a few minutes and others may be driving two hours each way.
At this time, I do not have an opinion one way or the other on whether the Fire Department
should be under a commission. However, I do know that it would be impossible to have one
commission oversee the Police Department and the Fire Department. The responsibilities of
these two departments are so diverse and the Federal, State and County regulations are so
different that it would be difficult for one body to properly oversee.
Comm. No; Y~9.03
Presented Fc
tom•. lie._2.a2•2.1--.
.
Ale Its. 1
r
Pes f Fc-
SEP
Ref. ?ot ��
*01. Date 1 6 199/
Honorable Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd
And Members of the County Council
September 16, 1997
Page 2
If this body feels there is a need for a Fire Commission, then a separate commission should be
appointed. The public would be better served because of the complexities involved. I also
think you would find it difficult to recruit community minded volunteers who would be able to
serve effectively because of the commitment of time and efffort required if both bodies were
combined.
Thank you for this opportunity to express my personal feelings on this subject.
Very truly yours,
SHARON K. SCHEELE
ms