HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0064.117 2010-2012Murashige, Laura
From: Richard Hoeflinger [hilodik @gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, July 15, 2011 6:57 PM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Testimony Re: Bill 17
Richard Hoeflinger
HCR 1 Box 5344
Keaau, Hawaii 96749
7/18/2011
flhl JUL 18
TESTIMONY IN OPPOSITION TO BILL 17, "PLASTIC BAG BAN"
Page 1 of 1
PICO
al lin . G- 4 . St;
3
I am opposed to the passage of Bill 17 which would prohibit businesses from providing plastic bags for
containment of customer purchases. This is a "feel good" response to a non - existent crises generated
by a vocal minority of environmental zealots, which will unnecessarily lower the standard and raise the
cost of living of all island residents.
I am an outdoor person, spending the majority of my time on the beaches and in the forests of this
island. My vision is quite good, and I fail to see the calamity of plastic bag misuse depicted in newsprint
and Internet accounts.
Yes, there are irresponsible residents who do not properly dispose of plastic bags. They are probably
the same ones who discard the automotive parts, appliances, food and beverage containers, medical
supplies, animal waste, and other disgusting detritus that many of us have been picking up for years on
island roadways and beaches. Shall motor vehicles, microwave ovens, restaurants, pharmacies,
ranches, and other sources of rubbish likewise be banned? Or should the direct cause of these
problems, citizen irresponsibility, be more properly addressed.
I am one of those who employ plastic grocery bags in a myriad of uses in my home, shop, orchard, and
kennels. They are an everyday convenience to me and thousands of island residents. A minority may
misuse them, but there is simply not a shred of data that supports the emotionally- manufactured,
headline - grabbing plastic crises on which Bill 17 is based.
Bureaucracies have a propensity to punish all for the actions of some. It's the easy way out. I urge you
to carefully consider this matter and defer action on the bag ban proposal. Citizens don't need more
government intrusion in their daily lives nor additional job - killing legislation. Why not focus on
activities that benefit, rather than punish people. Relieving the horrible Puna traffic congestion would
be a good start.
Comm. No. f '. It 7
Ref. To:�s eM� C°1404‘,
Ref. Date JIjL.2 2QU .