HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0229.001 2010-2012 opposing Comm. 229, Bill 61 to cut $1M from the 2% Open -Space Fund
and opposing Bill 63 to cut deposits to 1%
testimony for Hawai'i County Council, 9 AM Friday, June 24, 2011, Hilo Council Chambers
by Cory Harden, Sierra Club, Moku Loa Group
POHOIKI
Sierra Club, Moku Loa group, urges you to save our and and honor our citizens by voting down
Bills 61 and 63.
GREEN LAKE
The images of special places and endangered creatures are to remind us what's at stake.
CAPE KUMUKAHI
We understand these are difficult times because of the economic downturn and legal questions
about the County budget.
PUNALU'U
But citizens have strongly supported putting 2% of property taxes into the County open space fund
over years of ups and downs. Scores of volunteers gathered thousands of signatures on petitions.
POHUE BAY
Well over half the voters supported 2 %. Scores of testifiers protested the temporary suspension of
deposits.
O'OMA
So were disappointed by several actions:
• all Council members voted for a budget that has only 1 '12%
• the Kenoi administration requested Bill 61 to cut funding to 1 1 /2%
• Mr. Ikeda introduced that bill
• Mr. Yagong introduced Bill 63 for a minimum of 1%
10
We appreciate Brenda Ford's strong statements in support of 2% when Bill 61 came before the
Finance Committee recently. We also appreciate votes that day against Bill 61 by Ms. Ford, Fred
Blas, Pete Hoffmann, Angel Pilago, Brittany Smart, and Dominic Yagong. All were endorsed by
Sierra Club in the last election, in part because of their support for 2 %.
PALILA
Without 2 %, the County may lose its chance to acquire several properties now under negotiation:
Kingman Trust near White Sands in Kona, Kaiholena, and Pohoiki. We may also lose our chance to
save other lands in the future, if sellers and funding partners see the 2% fund as an unreliable
source.
PUNALU'U TURTLE
Open space protects endangered creatures, supports Hawaiian culture, preserves natural beauty,
and saves agricultural lands and watersheds.
MONK SEAL PUP
Please save our land and honor our citizens by supporting 2 %.
Comm. No. 2 - 7 -1 .
Ref. To: Pr614.1414 (tut :;
Ref. Dote a" 24 'Lill