HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0193.007 2008-2010
BILL *1 Pl FC
(Dm M.
March 14, 2009, a-
J Yoshimoto, Chair and Members of the Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street 2p09 MRR 16 RBI 8 37
Hilo, Hawaii 96720{n1.tf «
COu"'V1, a +.r:iFdl
Dear Council Members,
Bill 49 to suspend setting aside funds under the 2% For Land ordinance is ill-advised for
many reasons, but one of the most important is not immediately obvious. Any diversion
of fiords will serve only to create the impression that county government cannot be
trusted to understand and follow the will of the people.
The 2% ordinance was enacted only two years ago by the voters of Hawaii County, after
the proposal was placed on the ballot by the County Commission in consideration of the
thousands of residents who signed petitions in favor of the concept. This history indicates
that the issue of funding purchase of open space and park land is very important to the
people of our county.
If the obvious will of the voters is thwarted by county government, the cost to the county
in voter cynicism and disgust will be far greater than the 2% "savings" gained by taking
the 2% fund for other uses. Our county government already has serious credibility issues,
particularly because many departments (such as Public Works) can never seem to keep
their promises about when and how their projects will be completed.
Now comes a proposal to disregard the will of the people and re-allocate money from a
fund that is dedicated to keeping some of our most cherished places in public ownership
for present and future generations. if these funds are diverted, marry people will be rightly
suspicious that their government does not care what they want and may come to believe
that their government cannot be trusted with their tax dollars. This lack of trust is a far
greater threat to county government funding than the "loss" of the 2% taxes that are used
to purchase lands that will continue to be assets to the county forever.
Voters only allow themselves to be taxed because they mw their public servants to use
their money well. 1£ that trust is diminished, the will to be taxed will diminish in kind.
Please do not run the risk of alienating your constituents. Keep spending our money on
this one program that we voters recently asked for so explicitly.
Sincerel yo s,
Clarkson
P.O. Box 1396
Honokaa, 1-11 96727
Comm. No.. I~C1-33
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