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Murashige, Laura1 _i..;`. , _.LJ
From: Gail Jackson & Bill Simonsma [billgail@retiredinparadise.nN99 W 30 AEI 8 27
Sent: Sunday, March 29, 2009 11:56 PM
To: dikeda@co.hawaii.hi.us, donishi@co.hawaii.hi.us; enaeole@co y?? {i( i,us;
jyoshimoto@co.hawaii.hi.us; Billy Kenoi; Council testimony; Dom}r~~"~gorig"Foyi&~94hda;
Greenwell, Kelly; Guy Enriques; Pete Hoffman
Subject: County Budget
Dear Mayor Kenoi and County Council members:
One bill payer possibility is this:
Employees take one leave day per month - with a choice of taking unpaid leave OR a regular vacation
day.
This basic idea was used by the University of Alaska during several budget crunch years to save
money.
They shut the University down for the week between Christmas & New Year's.
Government's usually have fairly generous vacation and holiday pay. I think I had 18 days vacation at
that time.
I have worked for private industry (Lockheed, Stanford University and two small computer firms) and
for government (city, borough, and state university.) I made far more at private industry jobs but I
preferred government jobs because of the benefits and job stability. I think most government
employees think the same. Government does not run like a business (they don't make widgets) and
employees should not be treated as cogs in wheels. However, I also know first-hand that governments
can be made more efficient.
Have you asked employees to submit their ideas for saving money? Asked them how their
departments could be more efficient?
I am still very concerned about the county government keeping the contract with the voters regarding the
2% Land Fund.
If I were a developer (that is, who has been careful with capital and credit lines), I would certainly be
watching for a real estate bottom and would buy the special places when the market turned.
After finally taking very good steps toward saving open & special places, I do not want to see us go
firmly backwards. The danger of disappearing open spaces and cultural sites is very high and when
those lands are gone they are gone.
Sincerely,
Gail W Jackson
Comm. No. (3?
Ref. To.. Ref. Date APR ~g
3/30/2009