HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0711.084 2008-2010N _
Yoshimoto, J CP
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From: seanrsewake @hawaii.mcom C: CD s ill
Sent: Thursday, February 25, 2010 11:49 PM Z e
To: dyagong @co.hawaii.hi us; dikeda @co.hawaii.hi.us; jyoshimoto @c s, ,1 ,..
donishi @co.hawaii.hi.us; enaeole @co.hawaii.hi us, genriques @co.hawaii.hi ys; -7-7
bford @co.hawaii.hi.us; kgreenwell @co.hawaii.hi.us; phoffmann @colawau.ltiils in
Cc: cohmayor @co.hawaii.hi.us =I— �+ G
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Subject: Please do not cut the Hawaii County Band -2,, -,D 0
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Importance: High t1)
Dear Members of the Council and Honorable Mayor Kenoi, My name is Sean Sewake. I am a
member and employee of the Hawaii County Band. We were greeted tonight by Mr. Clayton
Honma and were told that the Hawaii County Band will no longer be funded after June 30,
2010. I don't know anything about what goes on behind - the - scenes at these budget meetings
or what, if any, your role is in approving these budgets, but I am pleading with you to do
whatever is in your power to stop this from happening.
I joined the Hawaii County Band back in 1986. I was 16 years old, a sophomore at Waiakea
High School. Now, 24 years later, I still enjoy playing and performing music as much as 1
did back then..more so, now that I have grown and developed as a musician. Through these
years that I have been a member, the Hawaii County Band has always faced its budget to be
cut year after year. And now, we are getting cut entirely.
This administration prides and promotes itself as a "grass- roots" administration. How
more "grass- roots" can the Hawaii County Band be? Founded by two Portuguese brothers way
back in 1883, this band, formerly known as the Hilo Band, has been in existence for the
past 127 years! Longer than Hawaii has been a state.
We were told that furlough and paycuts were not an option, that it was decided that we
were to be cut entirely. Part of the reasoning....that this is a second job for most of
us and that getting cut wouldn't affect us as much as full -time employees. Let me tell you
how much this is affecting me. I am also a state employee. First, I faced a 20% increase
in my medical premiums. Second, I faced a RIF notice. Third, I faced furloughs. Fourth, I
am facing yet another RIF through the state. Fifth, a RIF from the County. Both RIFs -
July 1, 2010.
The budget for the band is so small considering it is funding 30+ employees. We figured
it out to be about 1% of the whole P &R budget. Why can't we be furloughed along with the
rest of the County? Why isn't it even being considered? We were told that we are the
only entity scheduled to be laid off. I believe we service all districts but as our budget
gets slashed every year, we are allowed to perform less and less.
We were told that because our positions are not being abolished, we are going to be placed
on a recall list so that if the band ever gets funded again, we will be the first to be
called back. Really? Is that something that would happen? In all seriousness...really?
Is it that simple? Is this a way to appease us? Give us hope?
Our history should be worth the 1 %, don't you think? 127 years of Hilo history...1o.
Even for a year, the history is gone forever. Look at area that we cover, look at the
years of service our members have put in. Most of us are lifers or heading in that
direction. An entity of highly dedicated employees are going to get slashed.
I am asking that the P &R budget NOT be approved and that other options be looked at.
Losing this job would be devastating to me.
Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,
Sean Sewake
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COMA. t\
Ref. To:
Ref. Date MAR 22 7(118
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