HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0766.002 2010-2012 Please deny two KCDP Action Comm confirmations Pa e-1 of 1
WPO
Murashige, Laura Cu 9dui_766
From: Janice Palma-Glennie [palmtree7 @hawaiiantel.net]
Sent: Monday, July 16, 2012 11:58 AM
To: Pilago, K. Angel; brenda ford
Cc: council testimony
Subject: Please deny two KCDP Action Comm confirmations
Importance: High
Aloha, Mr Pilago:
I will be testifying to this effect at Wednesday's hearing, but I wanted to let you know ahead of time
that I'm very concerned about the appointment of two of the three KCDP action committee
nominees, namely Greg Ogin and Hiram Rivera*. Though everyone can appreciate both of these
men's willingness to take part in the planning/democratic process, I, as a long-time member of the
Action Committee as well as prior KCDP steering committee, feel strongly that the last thing the
KCDP AC needs is more representation from the development and real estate sectors of our
community. Not only is this my opinion, but the KCDP contains a directive to the effect that the
Action Committee should be made up of a broad spectrum of the community, as was the original
Steering Committee, of which I was also a member.
When the steering committee was created, it contained a true cross-section of the community (artist,
farmer, environmentalist, lawyer, teacher, cultural expert, men, women, etc. etc). The Action
Committee does not. In fact, when Bob Ward and I leave the committee (our terms ostensibly over),
there will be only Matt binder left as any remnant of community voice outside development, real
estate sector. And when Marni Herkes leaves (her term the same as mine), there will be no women
left on the AC at all!
Yes, there is a strong need for more voices on the AC, and I have been one of the strongest
proponents for adding new members. Again, while it's laudable that people are willing to serve on
the AC, it does not mean they should be confirmed. There are many committees where Mr. Ogin and
Rivera could be more effective given their development experience.
Additionally, the Public Outreach Sub-committee has recently begun a campaign to actively spread
the word of the KCDP's existence and activities through local news outlets. This gives hope that the
public at large will become more aware of the KCDP as well as its need for participants. For this
reason and others mentioned above, I would ask that the county council put the nominations of Mr.
Ogin and Mr. Rivera on "hold"for now since there is a greater potential for people of other
backgrounds and interests to come forward to take part in this critical land use planning process.
Please be assured: the integrity or intention of the nominees is not in question, as I know that they
are both family-oriented businessmen. However, I believe that their confirmation could further skew
the Action Committee to the point where the KCDP could become more of a liability in its lack of
balance than a strong voice meant to help the community achieve its long-term goal of creating
better—and smarter-- land use planning than in the past.
Mahalo for your consideration of my views on this critical matter.
Sincerely,
Janice palma-glennie
*I don't know george schautter (sp) but I believe he is related to the botanist, is a South Kona farmer
and, though it appears he has different political views than myself, will provide a needed voice to the
AC. rr--
Comm. No. �P 1
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Ref. Date JUL 1 8 2
7/16/2012