HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0401.008 2008-2010
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Murashige, Laura
From: Regina Tom [regina.tom@hotmail.com] 2~Q9 JUPd 15'~
Sent: Sunday, June 14, 2009 11:16 PM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
i.
Subject: Testimony in Opposition to Resolutions 200-09 and 201-09; in Support of Res6lut on 202-09
Chair Yoshimoto and Members of the Hawai' i County Council,
My testimony is in opposition to Resolutions 200-09 and 201-09, and in support of Resolution 202-
09.
Against Resolution 200-09 (lack of leadership qualities)
Although I respect Ms. Naeole as a person and she truly speaks from the heart as a
Councilmember, I do not feel she has the leadership qualities necessary to lead the County Council
in the event of Chair Yoshimoto's absence. The position would require effective verbal and written
communication skills, both of which are not Ms. Naeole's strong points. The position would also
require knowledge of proper parliamentary procedure, of which is one of Ms. Naeole's weak points.
While her heart is in the right place, and she genuinely speaks her mind, there is much more to
being a leader. As such, I would ask the County Council vote against Resolution 200-09 and retain
Mr. Hoffmann as Vice-Chair of the County Council.
Against Resolution 201-09 (conflict with Resolution 202-09)
The only reason I am testifying against Resolution 201-09 is because it conflicts with Resolution
202-09, which I support.
In Support of Resolution 202-09 (personality conflicts and efficiency)
I support Resolution 202-09. Certain members of the Hawaii County Council have shown
themselves to have only self serving political agendas and have demonstrated an inability to work
well with others. I am tired of constantly seeing a particular Councilmember's name in the
newspaper speaking as if he is the fiscal white knight of the County, when just a year ago he
wanted to increase the County's budget tremendously. That was at a time when others warned of
the anticipated revenue shortfall we are now experiencing. Another Council Member has
demonstrated that she is unable to work well with any member of the administration unless they
answer to her beck and call at any time of the day. Her verbal abuse of anyone who has a
different point of view from her own is also reprehensible. The privilege of serving as a Committee
Chair requires a much higher degree of character than they possess.
Additionally, since this Resolution consolidates the number of committees, it is my hope that this
would reduce the number and duration of meetings of the Council's committees. The County
Council spends way too much time debating nonsense resolutions on matters that are not within
the Council's or the County's scope of authority, such as the release of the gall wasp, strawberry-
guava infestation, GMO, and depleted uranium.
For those reasons, I am in opposition to Resolutions 200-09 and 201-09, and in support of
Resolution 202-09, It is my hope that the County Council will vote accordingly.
0
Sincerely, Comm. N
f. ~
Ref. To;
Regina Tom Ref. pate JUN 1~ 6 2009
6/15/2009