HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PSPRC 017 11/21/2005 2004-2006 REPOKI' OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND PARIhS AND RECREATION
DATE: November 21, 2005 Re: Comm. No. 5281Res. No. 202-OS
PLACE: Council Chambers
TIME,: 8:35 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo. Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Public Safety and Parks and Recreation, to which was referred Communication
No. 528 and Resolution No. 202-OS reports as follows:
Resolution No. 202-05, transmitted by Council Member Pctc Hoffmann, via Communication No.
528, dated November 3, 2005, is intended to ensure that the public streets and highways are kept free
from signs which distracts motorists attention while driving. This Resolution states that the practice
of political campaigning and sign waving along roads in the County of Hawaii can lead to
inattentiveness on the part of vehicle operators and distractions to both the drivers and sign-wavers
themselves, which could contribute to vehicle accidents and related injuries or deaths.
While your committee found the intent of Resolution No. 202-OS to create safer road conditions by
providing a copy of Chapter Article 1, Section 3-7 (a) of Hawaii County Code (a portion of the
Sign Code) to individuals tiling for elective office, to be prudent and worthy of consideration,
several concerns arose during discussion. Pat Nakamoto, an official from the Elections Office.
testified that she has reservations about providing this portion of Sign Code only to candidates filing
for elective office. Further, she stated that the Elections Office currently provides a fact sheet on
campaign signs to candidates when they f ile their nomination papers, and to the general public.
Council Member I Iolschuh stated that the tact sheets from the Elections Office should suffice to
provide direction for political signwaving. Council Member Hoffmann stated that this would be a
reminder for candidates and is being done without any problems related to the constitutionality of
the issue. Council Member Arakaki said that providing a copy of Section 3-7 (a) of Hawaii County
Code to individuals running for political office would probably add to their contusion. Council
Member .lacobson asked the Ilections Office to provide a copy of the'Bronster opinion" to
candidates so they would hate a better reading of the law.
Your Committee on Public Safety and Parks and Recreation is not in accord with the purpose and
intent of Resolution No. 202-OS and forwards Resolution No. 202-OS to Council with a negative
recommendation.
_ _ wes nora A.~r: N.~ Respectfully submitted
A RAKAKI - _X
Incn x COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY
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anconsorv x 1 GARY SAFARI ,CHAIR
PILAGO ~ X_ ~ _ PSPRCREP0~2"I~NO.ry17
tiAFARIK _ X _ _ ADOPTED: _ EC O_ry S