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Murashige, Laura
From: Rick[Kona55rick@hawaii.rr.com],
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Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2009 8:24 PMu~~9 ~U~ 15 F;(~ 9 5
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Cc: dyagong@co.hawaii.hi.us; dikeda@co.hawaii.hi.us; jyoshimoto@co.hawaii.N.us~N1 ` ri~`lil
donishi@co.hawaii.hi.us; enaeole@co.hawaii.hi.us; genriques@co.hawaii.hi.us,
genriques@co.hawaii.hi.us; kgreenwell@co.hawaii.hi.us; phoffmann@co.hawaii.hi.us;
cohmayor@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Testimony submittal for 16 June meeting at Sheraton
Attachments: Retention of Yagong as finance chair 6-09.doc
Aloha,
Here is my testimony for the 16 June council meeting, I have also attached a word document
form for your convenience. If any additional information is needed to enable this testimony to
be submitted please contact me at once:
Richard Fucik
73-4205 Eluna St
Kailua Kona HI 96740
325-6299
This is testimony in support of the retention of:
• Councilman Dominic Yagong as Finance Chair
• Councilman Pete Hoffman as Vice Chairman
• Councilwoman Brenda Ford in her current chair positions
Let me address the Finance Chair first.
Councilman Yagong has performed a yeoman's job. He has found countless ways to bring the
budget inline with expected revenue. He has done more to uncover waste, abuse and
mismanagement than anyone I can recall. He has far surpassed the Keoni or past
administrations in finding ways to reduce costs
His is a tough job, this county for too long has been able to get by with loose financial controls,
and borderline oversight. Headlines have exposed some known embarrassments due to lack
of control. A partial list follows:
• Overpayment for police cars compared to other police departments
• Overpayment for Hilo land fill bulldozer
Internet abuse
• Open personnel billets being used as a slush fund Comm. N . , , O
Ref. To:
Ref. Uate JUN 16 20 9
6/15/2009
Message Page 2 of 2
• Excessive overtime, especially in the police department
• Office rental rates above market price
• Contract irregularities regarding road tar
• Contract irregularities regarding an attempt to let a contract that had county employee
conflict of interest.
• An attempt to remove funding for an audit of county fiscal controls
Many others and myself loudly applaud Councilman Yagong's efforts, which have usually been
supported by Councilman Hoffman and Ford. Apparently everyone else; including the
remaining council members, the county administration, and Mayor Keoni himself would rather
just keep status quo. They do not seem interested in tightening up this county's fiscal controls.
I was delighted when Councilman Yagong took it upon himself to ask county lease holders to
consider reducing their rates to help provide budget relief only to then be appalled to discover
that an apparently embarrassed Keoni administration undid his efforts. Is it too much work?
Too embarrassing for some?
Lets put our egos and "not invented here" attitudes aside and roll up our sleeves and fully
support Councilman Yagong's efforts. Without enacting Councilman Yagong's aggressive
waste reduction efforts we will continue operate, "loosey-goosy", run out of money and be
forced, once again to raise taxes. Everyone should be jumping with joy for the opportunity to
rid ourselves of waste. Heck, we might even be able to reduce taxes instead of raising them.
These are tough economic times; citizens can not be burdened with increased taxes. In fact, it
is contra recovery to raise taxes in a recession. The federal initiatives to offer tax rebates, tax
reductions, etc are to stimulate the economy. If Councilman Yagong's waste reduction
initiatives are implemented we probably could reduce taxes, and contribute to economic
recovery rather than detract from it. I, for one, am not willing to pay one more tax penny until
wasteful spending is eliminated.
As for Pete Hoffman's Vice Chair and Brenda Ford's committee positions, both have done a
superb job in these capacities. Neither councilwoman Naeole nor Enriques have near the
experience level as Hoffman or Ford in these positions. Additionally Naeole or Enriques seem
to be on the status quo team. We can no afford status quo, this county must become much
more efficient in its operations and this will require leaders willing to change for the good not
stifle it.
In closing, it would almost appear that Council members Yagong, Hoffman and Ford are being
punished for trying to cut the Muda (waste) out of this county. When others try to snuff out
attempts to bring favorable change it makes one wonder why. I only hope there are not ulterior
motives for this resistance. If this is the case then we have a far more serious situation on our
hands than just a budget shortfall that could be solved through waste reduction.
6/15/2009