HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0745.031 2012-2014 Fix Ag Tourism Bill! Page 1 of 1
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Murashige, Laura
From: Janice Palma-Glennie [palmtree7 @hawaiiantel.net]
Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2012 9:14 AM
To: council testimony; pete hoffmann; brenda ford
Cc: karen eoff
Subject: Fix Ag Tourism Bill!
Importance: High
Aloha,
I've testified several times regarding the still-flawed Ag Tourism bill. Many residents were dismayed
that Councilperson Ford's very good amendments weren't considered as part of the current draft of
the bill, and I feel that this draft needs considerable work before it's passed as law.
Ironically, my neighbor (not the one that already had illegal "garden parties" with 250 guests), just
approached us with his idea of having Halloween parties in our 5-parcel ag subdivision. He had
visions of making lots of money doing (a family already well-endowed funding-wise. it wouldn't be
related in any way to his coffee farm but could be presented that way. He has plans of building upon it
each year. My husband and I were horrified by this idea for a long list of reasons, security being one
of the obvious on our now quite removed, small driveway. Costs for insurance, noise, intrusion...so
many reasons continue to flood into our minds and fuel our testimony to this governing body.
Why aren't visitors limited per day in this draft as was a consistent request made in public
testimony? Some members continue to ignore the most obvious of protective measures in favor of
what? Is it to allow exactly what my neighbors want to do, which is not what many real farmers would
like to do to increase their income? Or is it because of an idealistic notion that these kinds of scams
won't happen? Again, we've already seen what can happen and it ain't related to farming.
Limiting the amount of space being used by the ag tourism operation seems another logical
way to assure that protecting farming is the primary motive of this type of bill.
Protections for waipio were omitted. Why??
In fact, there didn't seem to be one amendment offered by Ms Ford that wouldn't help this bill.
We ask you again to protect agricultural and rural quality of life by creating a bill that works for its
intended reason which is to help real farmers survive by adding value to their agricultural work.
Council members are charged with the responsibility to represent our interests as well as those
already wealthy and who have no end to their financial schemes. Please DO NOT pass this bill without
significant changes which will achieve the intended goal. Passing a flawed bill leaves real farmers
holding the bag for those who would scam the system.
Mahalo again for considering my views on this critical matter.
Sincerely,
Janice Palma-Glennie
Comm. Na, 3
Ref. To:________________
Ref. Date NOVA 8 21112
11/8/2012