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<br /> <br /> 4/30/2006 11:34 AM FROM: Fax TO: 96=-8912 PAGE: 0-1 OF 001 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Written Testimony from Barbara E. Scott <br /> 75-5782 Lopeka Place <br /> Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 <br /> (808) 327-1277 <br /> Finance Committee Meeting <br /> May 1, 2006 <br /> <br /> Virginia Isbell, Chair <br /> Gary Safarik, Vice Chair <br /> James Y. Arakaki, Member <br /> Stacy Higa, Member <br /> Pete Hoffmann, Member <br /> Fred C. Holschuh, M.D., Member <br /> Donald Ikeda, Member <br /> Bob Jacobson, Member <br /> K. Angel Pilago, Member <br /> IN SUPPORT OF BILL 268 <br /> AN ORDINANCE TO INITIATE A CHARTER AMENDMENT TO <br /> ARTICLE III, SECTION 3-7, OF THE HAWAPI COUNTY CHARTER (2000) <br /> Honorable Virginia Isbell, Chair, Gary Safarik, Vice Chair, <br /> and Finance Committee Members: <br /> The proposal for a Charter Amendment requiring an equal number of County Council meetings <br /> in West Hawaii is long overdue. <br /> <br /> The practice to make decisions in Hilo that effect West Hawaii quality of life has created an <br /> atmosphere of alienation and disenfranchisement for the West Hawaii constituency. The <br /> majority of West Hawaii development approvals have occurred during Hilo County Council <br /> meetings. <br /> West Hawaii concurrency and infrastructure deficiency issues are not easily recognized from <br /> across a table in Hilo, and the reverse is true as well. Although Councilman Ikeda expressed <br /> concern that East Hawaii constituents could not participate easily during meetings held in West <br /> Hawaii; it would be a short leap for the County Council to resolve to schedule East Hawaii issues <br /> during Hilo meetings and West Hawaii issues during Kona meetings. A County Charter <br /> amendment to create equal access to County government proceedings does not preclude <br /> consideration for the East Hawaii constituency. <br /> In the interest of adjusting local government meeting protocol to meet changing island <br /> population and development factors, it is important to let the voters decide whether this Charter <br /> Amendment represents equal access and equal participation opportunities for island residents. <br /> <br /> I respectfully urge Finance Committee members to support the Ordinance to initiate a County <br /> Charter Amendment and allow voters to decide about alternating East and West Hawaii council <br /> meeting locations. <br /> <br /> <br /> Comm. No. <br /> Ref. To: G, <br /> dEAA.~a t .,s <br /> Ref. Date Y <br />