HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0803.009 1998-2000 CERG REcv D
S.T.1l_±-7 By /
July 3, 2000 Jate_µ county Cough
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Hawaii County Council
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25 Aupuni street
Hilo, HI 96720
To the Council:
It has come to our attention that Councilmember Julie Jacobson introduced
Resolution # 267 to the Finance Committee of Council on June 20, 2000. In
the discussion of that resolution, we understand that Ms. Jacobson referred to
Citizens for Equitable and Responsible Government (CERG) as supporting
the resolution. This is incorrect
Although we are sympathetic to the ideals of the resolution, we did
communicate reservations to Ms. Jacobson on the 15 and 17 June. Our
reservations were related to the real -world problems Mr. Konishi faces in
setting walk -in poll hours consistent with banking hours, so that ballots are
secure in vaults at days' end. We feel that Mr. Konishi deserves praise for
the diligent job he is doing in providing the most equitable poll hours
possible, consistent with the overriding requirement of security.
We appreciate that Ms. Jacobson shared a draft of her resolution with the
CERG Steering Committee. We sent her e -mail letters (relevant passages
appended), which we hoped would lead to a more flexible statement toward
walls -in polling hours and recognize the excellent efforts by Mr. Al Konishi
to fulfill the sense of the resolution. We were concerned that the resolution
did not adequately recognize the excellent efforts by our county clerk. We
could not support the resolution as it was written.
We appreciate the fine work of Ms. Jacobson and other members of the
Council to assure that there is no appearance of lack of ethical conduct in
County government.
Also attached is a letter thanking Mr. Konishi for his cooperation in trying to
resolve the problem of hours and operations for the walk -in voting centers
across the county. CERG believes that with Mr. Konishi's cooperation we
Comm. No boe • 0 "
File No C L IC
Ref. To: Ca n
Ref. Date M. 0 7 2000
can arrive at an equitable way to operate the centers in the upcoming election,
and we are grateful to him for his willingness to work with us to fmd the best
ways to resolve problems.
Sincerely,
For the CERG Steering Committee
Marshall Blann
Peter Martin
Walter Kriewald
Sandra Scarr
a 6 /C4/44M/
kitU4LOA X� 2672
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Mr. A.Konishi
County Clerk
25 Aupini St.
Hilo,Hi.96720
Re:polling -2000 Election 2 July,2000
Dear Mr. Konishi,
On behalf of the CERG steering committee,we would like to extend our thanks
to you for the very dedicated job that you are doing preparing for the upcoming election.
Your work,and the work of the team in room 100 is greatly appreciated.As we have
been in communication for 6 weeks,we have come to recognize all that you are doing,
and will continue to do.
Your patience in explaining the impact on walk -in poll hours on security ( hours banks
are open to store ballots ovemight),and problems of citizen volunteers for polling jobs,
leads us to understand that in a real world,you are doing an outstanding job,and CERG
appreciates that.
I enclose a copy of a'progress report' to CERG members on polling place/hours status
as a 'work in progress',and call for ideas.I also enclose a suggestion from Virginia Isbell
on a route to encourage better cooperation from banks.
Again,our thanks for working so hard and effectively for the citizens of Hi. County.
Sincerely,
CERG steering committee
cc.Hi.County Council
Dwayne Yoshina
. ` • Page I of I
From: blann <blann @gte.net>
To: pattyk@turquoise.net <pattyk @turquoise.net>
Cc: kriewald @email.msn.com <kriewald @email.msn.com >; SandraScar @aol.com
<SandraScar @aol.com >; pepamartin @yahoo.com <pepamartin @yahoo.com >;
pmartin @kona.net <pmartin @kona.net>
Date: Saturday, June 17, 2000 8:55 AM
Subject: Fw: elections resolution
- - -- Original Message--- -
From: blann <blann @gte.net>
To: jacobsAhgea.orq <jacobs @hgea.org>
Date: Thursday, June 15, 2000 12:49 PM
Subject: elections resolution
Dear Ms. Jacobs,
I am in general in strong support of your election resolution.There is a point
that troubles me somewhat:
1 think that Mr. Konishi is trying very hard to be equitable,yet maximize the
integrity of the process.He intends to keep Keahou open later hours Friday,
maybe Sat. than Hilo.And he will keep Kohala open over the lunch hour.
The factor now determining the hours(he is now trying hard to fulfill your
request,I believe) seems to be secure vaults(usually banks) where the
ballots may be stored overnight.) think that if we could find a solution to that
problem,he could be more flexible.) suggested MLPF &S at Keahou;
I will call soon and over CERG watchers to accompany drivers back to a
county vault each evening(do you think that would be safe ?).That is my
main comment -we want absolute equality,but there is the very real security
aspect -and I personally am very sensitive to the importance of protecting those ballots.
Other items:there is a 'any budget outs' phrase;change outs to 'cuts'
Re:other sources of watchers /workers -would CERG,Citizens for Justice be appropriate,
or are they too political?
Thanks for all the great work you have been doing for honest government.lt is
appreciated! Regards,Marshall Blann(CERG)
6/29100