HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0710.109 2010-2012 age 1 of 3
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Murashige, Laura LOUM. 7(D
From: Barb Cuttance [barbc @ihug.co.nz]
Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2012 7:32 AM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us; dyagong @co.hawaii.hi.us; dikeda @co.hawaii.hi.us;
jyoshimoto @co.hawaii.hi.us; donishi @co.hawaii.hi.us; fblas @co.hawaii.hi.us; bsmart@co.hawaii.hi.us;
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Subject: Testimony for Hawaii County Council meeting August 1
Thank you to all members of the Hawaii County Council for the ;
opportunity to offer my testimony regarding the vote to override the
Mayors veto of Bill 256 and Bill 257. V
I feel appreciative that you are taking the time to read my testimony, it --. _
meets my need to be heard. c9
Firstly I will testify on in support of the council overriding Mayor
Kenoi's veto of Bill 256.
I think that in hindsight that Council members may agree that the use of
the Relocation Fund to purchase community benefits over the last few
years may have been a hasty use these funds, decided without all the
facts with the best of intentions. Though I am sure that the community
has indeed benefited as a result to some degree, it appears that a good
number of people think they have been suffering from ill effects caused
by toxins emitted by the PGV Power Plant and want to be relocated.
The money that is left in this fund is unlikely to be able to achieve this.
Many live outside of that 1 mile zone and are not able to avail
themselves of the councils plan to purchase their properties.
It is clear that there is a pressing need to ensure that a comprehensive,
independent health study is undertaken immediately to establish the
facts regarding the perceived health issues that many of those living
nearby to the PGV Power Plant seem to be experiencing.
I am astonished that this Bill was vetoed by the Mayor when clearly a
vast majority of people who live in the surrounding area supported the
Bill and indeed, I believe many have showed up to numerous Council
meetings to testify their support of this Bill. It did not meet my need 1/0 . l p g
Comm. No.
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for empathy. A good number of these people appeared to find it very
physically challenging to do this due to their obvious health issues, but they
were prepared to stand up for what they believe in. Many of their testimonies
have been moving and sad due to their state of health.
I personally have friends who live a little over a mile from PGV who are
experiencing many health issues; they have continually attended these
meetings testifying and staying much of the day to hear and support others
give their testimonies also. At the same time they have been seeking to
purchase a new home elsewhere so they can move at least 10 miles away
from PGV and to sell their home.
It is important that this fund is "ring fenced" and is not used for community
benefits but instead is used to relocate people who wish to be relocated,
purchase monitors for the neighborhood and conduct a comprehensive,
independent health study. The original intent of this fund needs to be re-
established as its purpose.
If it is found to be unsafe for people to be living close to this power plant then
of course these houses must be moved and decontaminated or demolished. If
it is established that living close to PGV is dangerous then this land must not
be used for any purpose whatsoever.
I favor regular security patrols throughout the area while the health study is
taking place and a decision on whether to move or demolish or sell the houses
be made once the study has been concluded and the results are known. The
cost of the security patrols could be factored into the budget for purchasing
the properties.
I implore the council members here to day to look within their hearts and
stand alongside the people who believe their health is under siege from toxins
coming form PGV, and return this fund to its original purpose and stop
further eroding of it. Then without delay install monitoring devices and
establish the health study.
Barb Cuttance
Moana u'Ia
7/31/2012
Page 3 of 3
RR2 Box 3311
Pahoa
Hawaii, 96778
1+ 808 339 4344
Skype: Barb.Cuttance
7/31/2012