HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0111.050 2010-2012 Page 1 of 1
COW . t) I, 22. PICOUMCIL
Murashige, Laura all IR r r2) NIa /I MO. C.;.
From: Dan Franck [dan_in_kona @yahoo.com] ' " '
Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2011 11:33 AM ;i
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: testimony bill 29, draft 2
Attachments: amendment testimony 2011.odt; amendment testimony 2011.sxw; amendment testimony
2011.rtf
Greetings,
I'm including several formats of my testimony in hopes that it will be effectively passed along to council. Can
you indicate if any of these formats were o.k.?
Thanks
Dan Franck
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Ref. Dete_my 1R 2nti
5/17/2011
May 17 2011
From:
Dan Franck, member, West Hawaii County Band
P.O. Box 5161
Kailua Kona Hawaii 96745
Phone: 329 -8947
Dear Hawai'i Island (Hawai'i County) Council members and residents,
My name is Dan Franck. I've been with the county band for over 25 years, also serving as the
assistant director under an old set of rules. I'd like to thank council for reading my testimony last year
when funding was in jeopardy, and West Hawai'i Today for quoting it so accurately, and to thank this
county for continued funding.
Because the county is unable to recruit new civil service musicians because of budgetary
constraints, we in the West Hawaii County Band have worked together to maintain the musical
presence and traditions of the past. Although funding this effort through grants and donations has been
a time - consuming and difficult task, bringing our non - profit group fund balance dangerously close to
zero, we have performed in nineteen (19) community events so far this year, eight (8) of which have
been parades.
Each year I'm reminded of the value of parades to the community. These events are fun, give
people a break from their labor, can inform and update the public about community issues and
happenings, and promote appreciation for the environment and the activities of various groups, friends,
neighbors, family members and other individuals. Parades punctuate the year with cherished and even
progressive tradition, and can create goodwill throughout the work week.
In order to insure sufficient personnel to meet minimum performance demands for our events, we
have called upon previous members of the band who are still in the area, local professional musicians
and interesting new musical prospects. Our non - profit support group has been unable to raise
sufficient funding to bring these musicians to be present at a majority of our events, or to compensate
them at higher, more equitable rates. Our county funding is so vital in order to keep our talented
musicians working together to maintain and enhance our performance capabilities.
I would also like to express my personal thanks to the musicians of the West Hawai'i County Band,
the Hawai'i County Band, formerly known as the Hilo County Band, and the old Hamakua Band.
These individuals have shared appreciation, encouragement, rides, introductions, goods and services,
musical opportunities and advice, with me, and other band participants, over the years. They work
together to maintain good tradition. This is also a reflection of the county councils and community that
have provided funding for their efforts. I don't think it is right for them to be discounted to zero
monetarily, because their efforts have been so significant and valuable.
Thank You
Dan Franck, member, West Hawai'i [ County ] Band