HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0021.208 2014-2016Murashige, Laura
From: Rene Siracusa <malamaopuna@yahoo.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 201411:31 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Reso 22-14
Aloha e Chair Kanuha and members of the Hawaii County Council:
The residents of the Big Island turned out in record numbers to support the anti-GMO bill that was passed by the
previous council. For one person (albeit a judge) to be able to overturn the will of the people without a challenge is not
acceptable. The public deserves to have the county defend that legislation in a higher court. Malama O Puna, a local
environmental nonprofit, fully supports Reso 22-14 and asks you to order Corp Counsel to defend the County's earlier
actions.
Although I am not an attorney, I have always understood "preemption" to mean that local government could be stricter
than state law, but not less strict. The people of Hawaii County have the right to improve on policies of State DOA, if the
State is seen as not fulfilling its mandate to protect and promote ALL agriculture, including organic. As a small farmer I
am very aware that such is the case.
Please vote in favor of Reso 22-14 so that a higher court can make a ruling.
mahalo and malama pono,
Rene Siracusa
President
Malama O Puna
Comm. No. 2-1.26
Ref. To:%
Ref. Date GEC 17 2014 _