HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0393.366 2012-2014 Page 1 of 1
C01:1-Y CLERK
Murashige, Laura ''
From: Farrah-Marie Gomes [farrahmarie @yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, November 04, 2013 12:45 PM 20i l ] � $
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Testimony for Bill 113
Dear Hawai'i County Councilmembers,
Thank you for this opportunity to provide testimony for Bill 113. I provide my testimony today
not with any comments about the content of Bill 113, but rather on the process.
Some development theories suggest that a sense of urgency (crisis) is the sole catalyst
needed to provoke change. The heightened anxiety around Hawaii Island surrounding this
issue of GMO can be considered crisis enough for you to feel compelled to have to
respond/act.
Where the theories differ is in regards to how change happens. Change can develop on a
continuum from unplanned to planned change. Planned change takes time and at best, should
be strategic.
While I respect your attempts to act expeditiously in response to this situation, I humbly ask
you to please take a moment to fully consider all of the important details that have potential for
impacting the ramifications associated with passing this Bill right now.
Enacting a bill without knowing what the possible impacts could be, both positive and negative,
would be irresponsible for the Council to do at this time. There are some impacts of this Bill will
be irreversible and could have life changing impacts for those individuals, families
(generations) and businesses affected.
Many in the community do not feel that they have been adequately consulted on this issue. A
lot of expertise exists in the community and I would encourage the Council to look to and
include their respective constituencies in the process of arriving at a solution that we all can
live with. A bill like this one with so much support on both sides of the issue is clearly one that
deserves more attention and discussion before a decision to pass the bill is made. Please don't
rush a decision on something that we just can't predict much about yet.
In terms of workload, do the appropriate County departments that will be tasked with
overseeing the implementation of this bill have the existing capacity to take on the added
responsibilities? A bill that becomes law will only be powerful if there is the ability for it to be
implemented effectively. I urge you to please take more time to fully consider the details
associated with this bill.
Mahalo,
Farrah-Marie Gomes
Kamuela resident
Comm. No. 393. 346
Ref. To: P Comemi/
Ref. Date iNi0V 1 9 2013
11/13/2013