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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1168.049 2006-2008 Page 1 of 1 Murashige, Laura From: whoa [whao@hawaii.rr.com] Sent: Sunday, June 01, 2008 9:56 AM 2008 JUN Z AM 8 C To: council testimony t r Cc: Thiel Ron; Mayor Harry Kim; Carol _Yurth/HONOKAAE/e ``notes kl2,h;uR; Bruce McClure; Pete Hoffmann; B Ford; D Ikeda; D Yagong; than Watson; E t raeole; J Jacobsen; J Yoshimoto; K A Pilago; S Higa; Pete Hoffmann; 'Bob Ward'; Clemson Lam, Architect; Gunner Mench; Gunner Mench; Gunner Mench; Laura Dierenfield; SKTSC Secretary Subject: BILL 285 Testimony Attachments: testimonysaferoutesfunding.pdf Council, Please read and support the attached testimony. Mahalo Mike Price-Chair SKTSC Comm lf Ir~ Ref. Toa fA Ref. Date JUN lt 6/2/2008 South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee P.O. Box 383375 2008 JUN 2 AM 8 C Waikoloa, HI 96738 June 2, 2008 tC) 0, i RE: TESTIMONY FOR BILL 285 at the June 2, 2008 Council Meeting Dear Hawaii County Council; We are at a critical time to provide for safe walking and bicycling facilities on our island. Bill 285 authorizes the County to issue bonds for $112 million to pay for critical capital improvement projects, including $2.2 million for the Waimea Trail and Greenway, as well as $3 million for school zone safety improvements. Bill 285 failed the first time it was heard. Waimea Trails and Greenways and children across the island desperately need this funding to provide safe and alternative transportation to constituents and their children. Both programs will provide safe, healthy alternatives for children to walk or ride bicycles to and from school. Current lack of safe sidewalks and other traffic controls encourage parents to transport children in automobiles adding to the congested traffic circulation problem in Waimea. Safe routes to school island wide and other trail systems are a step away from reliance on high cost and limited fossil fuel modes of transportation. The benefits of healthy exercise for children are obvious and will hopefully transfer into a healthy adulthood lifestyle. It is not enough if the Council just discusses energy sustainability and solutions to vehicle transportation congestion, especially in Waimea. The above two programs are solutions that warrant yours and the Administration's support in this budget cycle. The 30-40 members attending the regular South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee Meetings have approved motions supporting these two programs over several years. These members, representing all areas of South Kohala District desire implementation and funding of these programs as solutions to current conditions and to provide a healthy safe life style for future generations. Your individual and combined support for these programs is requested and appreciated. Sincerely, Mike Price-Chair South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee