HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0015.003 2010-2012 Please deny Planning Commission appt Page 1 of 1
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From: Steve Lopez [slopez @co.hawaii.hi.us] u.;_ 4 f ``
Sent: Monday, January 03, 2011 8:52 AM
To: counciltestimony @ co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: FW: Please deny Planning Commission appt
Email received at Council Office
Mahalo,
S AMW
Steve Lopez
Legislative Assistant to
Councilman K. Angel Pilago
Council District 8, North Kona, Hawai'i
Phone 808 - 327 -3638 Fax 808 - 329 -4786
slopez@co. hawaii.hi.us
From: Janice Palma - Glennie [ mailto :paimtree7 @hawaiiantel.net]
Sent: Sunday, January 02, 2011 1:39 PM
To: apilago @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Please deny Planning Commission appt
Aloha, Chairman Hoffmann and Planning committee members:
The purpose of splitting the Planning Commission into smaller regional parts was to give voice to local
communities by providing them an improved opportunity to take part and be represented in land use planning
decision - making. This idea was predicated on what may be a myth: that even a Hilo -based mayor with strong
developer ties would defer to West Hawai' is needs and desires in deciding who might best fill a Leeward
Planning Commission post. Mayor Kenoi's choice of Mark Travalino for planning commissioner does not
represent the voice of the Kona community but better shows how support for the mayor can result in
appointments to critical government commissions.
Mr Travalino appears to represent a mindset that comes partly, at least, from his his involvement in the
Laborer's Union. This mindset is based on the philosophy that all development is good development, that all
development means jobs, that all developers can be counted on to make good on their promises, that all
planning commission members have an open, informed mind, and that all development leads to a better
future for our region. Unfortunately, these suppositions have been proven to be false time and time again.
Gridlock, lack of affordable housing, economic booms and busts, social imbalance, loss of open space and
abuse of limited natural resources are just some of the downsides of perpetuating that false thinking,
especially when it involves critical government bodies like the Leeward Planning Commission.
I ask that this council request the list of all of the people who have applied for this position (apparently at
least three) and that the mayor provide a detailed explanation as to why those other applicants were denied
an opportunity to serve in this critical position which affects the lives of all the residents and visitors of this
island. If one or more of those other applicants seems more suitable, I ask that you convince the mayor to
allow West Hawai' I determine its own future by appointing that person instead of insisting that we be the
open pit mine of Hilo's dead -end dreams, like we have been for decades.
I ask that this body deny Mr Travalino's appointment while other applicants are considered for this position.
Mahalo to you for your attention, and mahalo to Mr. Travatino and those others who have applied for this
position and who are willing to take part in the democratic process.
Sincerely,
Janice Palma - Glennie 1S• 3
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