HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1062.027 2006-2008
Stephanie Bath
P. 0. Box 457
Kea'au, Hawaii 96749
stephbath@gmail.com
April 15, 2008
Testimony on Waste to Energy - Resolution 551-08
There is a word ...Kina'ole...I understand it to mean ...doing the right thing, at the right time for the right reason.
We can't go back and change the errors those made before us regarding solid waste management.
What we can do, now, is move forward on the course we together as a County counsel and community charted.
We agreed to maximize recycling which is a long term solution to waste. We never agreed to bum it. Our
teenagers have been taught to recycle. It is a way of life for them. Our son gets parts to fix his and his friends
bikes from the Kea'au recycle center. It fits into our families limited budget quite well.
The green waste to mulch project is a huge success. It can be a bigger success with greater enforcement.
We don't want an incinerator. We want your support. We want you to budget money for expanded recycling and
sorting stations. Budget resources to enforce mindful waste management. Hopefully after a while there will be no
need for enforcement. It will become a way of life.
We understood that the County was going to promote recycling. The current way that solid waste is dealt with
actually enables people not to recycle. "No need-can dump um."
Let's talk economics.
We've taught our children about the importance of being debt free and paying as we go. We have taught them
that marketing strategies may entice a person into thinking they want something. They end up purchasing it and
loosing in the end. We do not want the people of Hawaii County to have to pay for something that will not take us
to our long term goal. Please don't make a decision that will put us in this kind of debt. We have other priorities
for our Counties limited economic resources.
We do NOT, DO NOT want to purchase an incinerator. We don't want to go into debt for something that won't
take us to our goal!
I know that the County can successfully promote and enforce policies and principles that promote recycling and
sorting. If County leadership does not have the knowledge on how to implement the plan we agreed on, replace
people with those who have the knowledge.
We are all busy! Let's not take anymore time to deal with this issue. Personally I'd like it to go away like one of
those unsolicited phone calls.
Incineration does not address our rubbish challenge.
If the issue here is creating more energy let's talk about that as a topic in itself and not couple it with waste.
Let's generator sustainable clean energy.
Let"s create jobs that can employ people from entry level to management.
Let's promote minimizing excessive packaging in Hawaii County.
One last thing. If someone offered to give you and your ohans, including extended ohana, an all inclusive
vacation, and the ethics committee said it was above board to accept it. You would gladly take it., Right?
O.k. now imagine that it was revealed to you that the vacation is to Iraq.
At first it sounded good but when details and long term effect it will have on your family is revealed it is an
undesirable idea. What's my point.? I don't want Wheelabator to pay for an EIS for something we don't want.
C,txn No, /06 L. L1
Ref. Tor FQo-
Ref. Rate. APR 15 M13