HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0711.234 2008-2010 Hawai'i County Council, Hilo Council Room, 7:30 AM Monday, June 7, 2010
Comments by Cory Harden, PO Box 10265, Hilo 96721 968 -8965 mh @interpac.net
Amend Res. 267 -09
Reduce the number of Council meetings in Kona, since each one costs over $7,000. But only for one year
-- there's lots of unspoken communication when citizens and Council members are in the same room,
and lots of spoken communication before and after meetings and during breaks.
Amend Res 339 -10 re property taxes
Any increases should only be for one year.
Assess commercial, hotel /resort, and industrial properties at full value, and adjust any tax increases, so
that they pay their fair share of taxes.
Amend Bill 259
Keep the bus free, but direct Mass Transit to actively seek donations.
Free fares are a wise investment to rev up the economy by getting people to jobs and shopping, and to
prevent costly crises by getting people to social services. I ran across a 1994 report -- dated, but
interesting -- from Washington State, which said "small- and medium -sized communities are better
served by fare -free policy." It described fare -free policy as "fundamentally" redefining "the relationship
between transit operations and the community ". I think they meant transportation becomes a service
that improves our lives and creates a sense of community -- like emergency services, parks, and recycling
centers.
Amend Bill 211, draft 3 re the County budget
Have all County departments actively seek donations.
Stop funding golf and -- though it doesn't deserve to get cut - -the County band.
Follow Mr. Yagong's proposals to cut overtime where possible, cut equipment repair for the police, and
delay police and fire pay raises for one year.
Follow Mr. Yoshimoto's proposal to keep the automotive division in Public Works.
Follow Ms. Ford's proposal to cut $350,000 for lava viewing.
Do not follow Ms. Naeole - Beason's proposal to add almost $7 million to capital improvements.
Cut waste —such as—
• almost half a million dollars for furniture and window treatments in this building
• hundreds of dollars for our Mayor to fly to Honolulu for a luncheon with a retiring attorney, a
party for a former judge, and a Council of Mayors trip that included a fundraiser for Mufi
Hannemann
• and don't forget that million - dollar bulldozer sold by the County, then rented back at great
expense
Coma No. f (. 23'+
Ref. To, FC.M -vIU
Ref. vote JUN 0 7 2010
For savings in the future, as I've said before—
• Work with the Federal and State governments to keep out invasive species —how much did we
spend on coqui frogs?
• Prevent floods —don't allow building in flood -prone areas —buy them up with 2% funds—and
revise grading and grubbing regulations
• Plan communities so we don't need so many costly roads
• Promote, don't just allow, composting toilets, so sewer systems won't be so costly
• Consider mail -in elections
• Have cruise ships kick in for the Hilo trails project
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