HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0762.047 2004-2006
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Murashige, Laura
From: Jim Albertini Ua@interpac.net]
Sent: Sunday, April 30, 2006 8:27 PM
To: Pilago, K. Angel
Cc: Charmaine Shigemura; Yuen, Chris; Ho, Nelson; Bell, Barbara; Snyder, Janet; LevinfAndy; Higa,
Stacy; Isbell, Virginia; Safarik, Gary; Arakaki, James; Hoffmann, Pete; Holschuh, Fred;)keda,
Donald; Pilago, K. Angel; Jacobson, Bob; Harry Kim
Subject: April 29, 2006 Bill 246 testimony
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April 29, 2006
Planning Committee Chairman Angel Pilago & the Hawaii County Council
Testimony in opposition to Bill 246
Bill 246 Grants too much authority to the Hawaii County Planning Director when more authority
should be provided for public participation.
This is not about Planning Director, Chris Yuen personally. He's a fine, ethical person. I
consider him a friend. This is an issue about power. What we are seeing in Washington is too
much power being concentrated in the hands of the executive. It's a reminder that "power
corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." What we need in the U.S. and in Hawaii is
a shift of power away from executives and toward the grassroots, a government of, by, and for
the people, not the rich and powerful. Public participation can be cumbersome but that is a
part of the price of a vibrant democracy. This county has a recent history of nearly every
development - "Yamashirovilles" that came forward being approved without needed
infrastructure in place. Had more public participation for a quality of life been given its proper
place in government, we may not be in the growing gridlock and land speculation frenzy we
now face.
It's time to do what is pono - put power back to where it belongs, in the hands of "the people"
and take it away from speculative developers who seek big, fast profits at the expense of the
environment and future generations.
Jim Albertini
President
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5/1/2006
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Malu'Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action is a non-profit organization that grows
organic food to share with people in need, and works for justice, peace and preserving the
environment.
5/1/2006