HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0032.073 2006-2008 October 3, 2007
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To: Council Members
County of Hawaii
Re: Opposition to Bill 167
It was my hope that I might speak at today's Council Meeting. Unfortunately, I had to
return to work . Therefore, please consider my statement.
When I first moved here in 1993, the prices on everything were so high that it was
impossible to support a family. Over the years more stores came in and competition resulted in
the reduction of prices and increases in weekly sales on products. It made stretching the money
easier. Just like more jobs resulted in better wages for the lowest paid workers in Hawaii, aet
result of supply and demand, not Government.
When Wal-Mart first came, there were protest and condemnation. Fear that businesses
would close. In fact, the very same people who protested the most were the ones to be first
considered for employment. Over the yeazs, these same people became the most devoted
shoppers of Wal-Mart. Competition made things better for all, most importantly for those with
low income and lazge families. There is not a time that you go to Wal-Mart that you don't see a
fellow worker, friend, a neighbor. I wonder where these people would shop for their families if
this store was not here. Think about it. Macy's, Sears, the Plaza. Be realistic. The Plaza is still
there, as bad as it always was. Wal-Mart did not hurt the Mall. I worked there before Wal-Mart
came and nothing has changed. People can now afford Christmas tree, clothes for their kids, a
chance to get toys for their kids at Christmas. K-Bay toy store is still there.
Now my feelings on the Superstore. I visited several on the mainland and they were just
the greatest. Clean, good prices and much needed. What aze stores like KTA, Safeway and Sack
N Save afraid of. The population is growing. The need for a superstore is here.
People like myself and husband, our daughter and family need the benefits a superstore
can bring to our community. There will always be those who are loyal to the stores mentioned
above. Not everyone is has an EBT cazd and therefore, know if the price of food goes up, so go
their benefits. Not everyone makes a lot of money to pay higher prices. There aze many of us
hard working lower income people who need a break. The families that own Sack N Save and
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KTA live very nicely (by the way I know the Tanaguchi's and like them very much) and will
continue to. Keeping out competition to protect their life style is wrong. Keeping out
competition to help further one's political career is wrong.
We need the jobs and benefits of a superstore. Think of the very people you claim to
represent and not everyone lives in Kona. Give the working class people a chance. Remember
the ones who voted for you because they thought you would represent them and their best
interest.
You aze selling out the future for your children and grandchildren. Make it possible for
the future of the County of Hawaii's residences to live a better life. In fact, to be able to live here
and not move to the mainland.
Stop fearing change, embrace it and together we can maintain the very reasons we moved
here, just now with the ability to actually live a much better quality of life.
SUPPORT THE SUPERSTORE.
OPPOSE BILL 167
Thank you
Roberta Rioux
Suite 103-329
200 Kanoelehua Avenue
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
965-0699
Residence - 15-2798 Opakapaka Street
Pahoa, Hawaii 96778