HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0064.165 2010-2012Murashige, Laura
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Cook, Vaughn G.T. [vgc @torkildson.com]
Saturday, October 22, 2011 12:28 PM
counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Testimony Opposed to Plastic Bag Ban
Scan001.PDF
see attached testimony opposed to Bill 17, Draft 2.
Vaughn G.T. Cook, Chair, Government Affairs Committee 120 Pauahi Street, Suite 312 Hilo,
Hawaii 96720 U.S.A.
Tel: (808)961 -0406 Fax: (808)961 -3815
email: vcook @torkildson.com
websites: http: / /hicc.biz/
1
Comm. No.
Ref. To:
Ref. Date, 0 S 2 7 20't =
2011 -2012 Board
President
Jon Miyata
President -Elect
Vaughn Cook
Vice President
Judith Fox - Goldstein
Treasurer
Chuck Erskine
Past President
Mike Gleason
Directors
Howard Ainsley
Emmeline de Pillis
Mitchell Dodo
Jay Ignacio
Ka'iu Kimura
Randy Kurohara
Karina Leasure
Keith Marrack
Donn Mende
Eugene Nishimura
Spencer Oliver
Glenn Santos
Kimberly Shimabuku
Alice Sledge
Donald Straney
Art Taniguchi
Barry Taniguchi
Ron Terry
Steve Ueda
Carol VanCamp
William Walter
Noreen Yamane
Hawaii Island
Chamber of Commerce
October 21, 2011
117 Keawe Street, Suite 205
Hilo, Hawaii 96720 -2851
Phone: (8o8) 935-7178
Fax: (808) 961 -4435
E -mail: admin @hicc.biz
www.hicc.biz
Via email ( counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us), Fax (961 -8912) and U.S. Mail
Dominic Yagong, Chairperson and Members of the Hawai`i County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Dear Chair Yagong and Council Members:
RE: Statement in Opposition to Bill 17 Draft 2 (Plastic Bag Ban)
Thank you for the opportunity to address the Council on an issue that is
important to all who live on our Island.
My name is Vaughn Cook and I am the President Elect of the Hawaii Island
Chamber of Commerce and the Chair of its Government Affairs Committee.
With more than 330 member businesses and over 700 individual members and
representatives, the Chamber serves as the voice of business on the Big Island.
The Chamber supports free choice for consumers and businesses. To the
extent plastic bags being improperly disposed is an issue, we support the
enforcement of existing laws prohibiting illegal dumping and litter — not
limiting the freedom of individuals and businesses. The Chamber also supports
recycling of plastic bags and other reusables. Any proposal to "ban" plastic
bags necessarily limits freedom of choice for the overwhelming majority of
responsible citizens who already recycle and use their plastic bags in a
responsible and environmentally friendly manner.
The Chamber therefore opposes passage of this bill. We encourage the
continued engagement by our County government in reaching out to and
educating the public and local businesses in the benefits of recycling. Many of
our members are already taking the lead in supporting recycling efforts
islandwide at their places of business and in their personal lives.
Hawaii Island
Chamber of Commerce
117 Keawe Street, Suite 205
Hilo, Hawaii 96720 -2851
Phone: (8o8) 935 -7178
Fax: (808) 961 -4435
E -mail: admin @hicc.biz
www.hicc.biz
However good the intentions, any "ban" of a useful product such as plastic bags will be an
unnecessary intrusion into the personal liberty of its citizens.
Very Truly Yours,
Vaughn G. T. Cook
Chair, Government Affairs
President -Elect