HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0578.014 1996-1998 ~~O~Y
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Working Together 0~. LOCAL 152, AFL-CIO /rW,W
for Hawaii `r v 7~
Hawaii Government Employees Association
495 Manono Street, Hilo, Hawaii 96720, Phone (8081 935-6841, FAX (808) 961-2437
June ] 5, ] 998
Public Statement on ~ By V
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Date._~---- -S~s~-- -
Metered Parking In Downtown Hilo County GaWnai/ ~ Pw ~c
On behalf of the Hawaii Government Employees' Association, I am speaking for the reinstatement
of metered parking in downtown Hilo.
As in the case of our neighbors downtown, our organization has a special interest in this matter -
jobs and livelihood. We are told that continuation of the moritorium or removal of metered
parking downtown will result in lay-offs of two of our members (Parking Meter Mechanic-
Supervisor and Parking Violations Clerk); that while the Administration is looking for jobs there
are none presently. We believe we also share the desire and see the need for an improved
business environment. A healthy business sector is a significant contributing factor to a healthy
community.
We are on the same side although our opinions at times differ. We believe and agree with the
Administration that continuation of the moritorium or permanent removal of the meters will not
have a positive long term benefit for downtown Hilo.
It does appear that there is little or no disagreement that an enforced short term parking system is
beneficial. However we may disagree on when and who should pay for such a system. The
County of Hawaii has on its present payroll and inventory the necessary resources to effectuate an
enforceable short term parking system in downtown Hilo. The idea to allow people like us free
parking downtown to include enforcement of time limits sounds good. What we need is parking
where and when the customer needs it. But who will pay for "free" public funded enforcement ?
We believe that paying at the meter is a good system -short term parking is available where we
need it and it is an enforceable system. This system has proven to be good for business and the
customer.
Our Public Works and Police Departments can not effectively enforce anon-metered system. The
positions in Public Works will be abolished, and our police department is all ready short staffed
and short funded. Our members, public employees in the County of Hawaii, are doing more with
less. Where will funding come from? It would be great if we had additional space and free
parking -but who will pay for that?
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Our metered parking system used to be a breakeven operation - premoritorium days. This public
parking users-fee will insure turnover of short term parking where it is needed - in the store fronts
of all of our downtown businesses. Presently our members are policing the metered and reserved
stalls azound the County Building. I wish this could continue but for how long, and who will do
that job when the positions are eliminated?
I take this opportunity to thank our County Administration and Council for continued funding of
the traffic enforcement jobs and temporary reassignment of the employees.
Thank you very much for your attention.
GARY~S~AMA
Hawaii Division Chief
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