HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0067.025 2006-2008 Good afternoon. My name is Alice Chuberko. I debated long and hard about whether I should
return today to speak today toward Bi11345. The last time I was here, it was my first time before
the Hawaii County Council. When I left, I had the feeling I was a "bad person" for disagreeing
with Bill 345. I feel there were misperceptions of those testifying and Chase setting in your seats.
Reflecting back, I believe there are some issues Thai need to be cleared up and shared today. One
is, those testifying against the bill did not say "not in my back yard". There is already a law that
allows for specie[ treatnent facilities in our neighborhoods. The concern was to address whether
the definition of family be changed from 5 unrelated. people to 8 unrelated people. I felt another
issue was that it was mainly coming from residents of the Keaau Ag Lots and we were just being
cry babies about it, There is a good reason why there were so many of us. It's because out of alt
the subdivisions, we are probably the most informed because of our hands on experience with
such a facility. There are probably many subdivisions in the areas you represent who are not
even aware of what's going on with the Bill. If they had the experience like we have had in the
Ag lots, they would probably be here too. I also felt we had to defir~ ourselves as locals. Isn't
being a Fsard working, tax paying, tow the line individual enough?
Now, once again i say no to Bill 345. Special treatment facilities are defined as a facility which
provides a therapeutic residential program for care, diagnoses, and treatment or rehabilitation
services for socially or emotionally distressed persons, mentally ill persons, persons suffering
from substance abuse, and developmentally disabled persons. Again, we have these facilities in
our neighborhoods. The question is why do we want to increase the number from 5 to 8? Those
testifying for the increase said the increase was not due to economical reasons. IYs due to a need
for more beds. If that's so, then let's add more facilities. Let's not increase the density of a
home or a neighborhood. Let's not increase the odds of negative things happening -stress of
infrastructure, nuiaways, crime, etc. Also, if I had a child who needed help, and I had a choice
of puttiag diem in a program with a 5 to I ratio or an 8 to I ratio, I would pink the 5 to 1. I'm
pretty sure you would too. That's evident in schools with teacher/child ratios, hospitals with
nurse/patient ratios. It's a fact of life. We feel the lower ratio provides the best care. There was
also something being said about 8 people because Honolulu and Maui counties do it. It's a
national number used by providers. I feel pretty sure it was a max not a minimum and I believe
that was also somehow tied into the Fair Housing Act. Corporation Counsel used the words
"possible" and "maybe" it could lead to the Hawaii County being sued. Amore definitive letter
was to be written Has itT And if indeed that argument is being used, then Bi11345 as being
presented today Is not going to prevem it. And for that very reason, you'd have to vote against it.
The bill also does not have a cap on it. It would be shortsighted of us not to think there could be
more than two homes on a tat. What would the impact be with three homes or with four homes?
Another thing, after attending a community meeting and listening to everyone's comments, so
much centered on "lack of information". Neighbors just warned to know: What kind of facility
is moving in? What kind of supervision is being given? What can I expect from these
neighbors? Is there going to be an impact on my neighborhood? If speaking directly to
supervisors doesn't help when there are problems, who do I call? So my question to you is
what's provided to inform and keep informed the neighbors?
For the reasons I have stated, I encourage you vote no on Bill 345.
Alice Chuberko „ i•
17-510 Ipuaiwaha Stzeet (p1
Keaau, Ili 95749 Comm. No.
982-8908 Ref. To:~f ~a~
Ref. Uate IAh ~ 9 -
January 19, 2007