HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0604.050 1996-1998
Finance Committee
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, HI 96720
September 15, 1998
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Re: Approval for Resolution #309-98 County ca,ncn ~
Dear Council Members:
I would like to thank Councilman Chun for enabling the testimony on this
issue to occur last Aug. 28th in Honoka'a and to all of you for coming out
there. I would hope that the Council is well aware that this place and
time is very hard for the working person to be here today and so please
remember those voices.
1 am wondering, isn't it normal Council procedure to support the efforts of
one's colleague in whose district the pending decision impacts? Isn't this
the rule rather than the exception? Why then do» not all Council
Representatives follow Councilman Yagong's Resoluttion #309 that not
only reflects the will and desires of his constituents but those of the
whole island as well? We realize the Mayor has persuaded some of you
with promises of benefits or even the withholding of benefits; but is this
correct and open government?
I ask you, are these County lands actually going to benefit the populace of
our island by enriching Bishop Estate with even more property in
Hamakua? By giving Hamakua Timber an even bigger property tax break?
By improving the Paauilo bridges from wood to cement for their logging
trucks at tax payer's expense?
What about the citizens who live here, we don't get any tax breaks or
sweet deals? Why can't government realize that the real health of our
economy lies with us, the small businesses and farmers? What if this
was your District instead of Hamakua? Wouldn't you want the other
Council members to support you and what you believed that best serves
your people? We are one island, what is good for the part is good for the
whole.
Cossra. Ne. ~ ~ - r. S(~
PYIe No. Pty
Presented F'~
Hel. To:
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page 2. Shackelford Testimony
I am sure there are many creative ways to lease these 4,420 acres to our
business people and farmers. And we know there are many who want this
opportunity. Perhaps leasing to own could be an option? But creating
more of a land monopoly for Bishop Estate is the worst possible solution.
If the Mayor is so worried about increasing our parking lots and public
facilities, why doesn't the County adversely possess these lands? Surely
Bishop Estate would be glad to let go of the insurance liability
surrounding our public parks. It would simply be another write off for
them.
I urge each and every Council Member to give an affirmative vote for
Dominic Yagong's Resolution #309. Support good community based
government and send a clear message to all of your constituents that you
sincerely serve and believe in the people of this island.
Thank you,
Linda L. Shackelfo d
PO Box 278
Paauilo, HI 96776