HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0021.132 2014-2016Murashipe, Laura
From: Rachel Laderman <rachel.laderman@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, December 13, 2014 4:20 PM
To: Council Testimony; Poindexter, Valerie
Subject: Appeal Overturning of Ordinance 13-121
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Aloha County Council;
I urge you to appeal Judge Konen's ruling overturning Ordinance 13-121 and take it to a higher court--
As
ourt=As you have witnessed over the last several years, there has been an enormous outpouring of public cbficern'
over GMO crops. Most of you sat through days of testimony from the public (your voters) - many of whom
never testified on anything else in their lives - expressing intense desire for keeping GMO crops out of Hawaii,
and for tighter regulation of those already here because once out in the field, we are stuck with them forever
(like rats, mosquitoes, fire ants...).
National policy sets a low bar concerning health and environment, and waits for the local jurisdictions to raise it
higher, and that is what Ordinance 13-121 is for - to protect the environment, our health, and our ability to raise
uncontaminated organic crops.
What I have heard people saying in response to this ruling is, "I guess this is not a democracy." "I guess our
vote doesn't count."
It is mystifying how such a strong will of the people and our elected representatives could be
overturned. Clearly GMOs are not already sufficiently regulated by the state. Since when has there been such
an outpouring of public sentiment asking for more regulation? No other municipality's GMO ordinance has
been struck down based on "State preemption".
On my organic farm, I have had to cut down ten GMO papaya trees that I planted from supposedly organic (and
non-GMO) seed. I procure strictly non-GMO feed for our chickens. My customers trust me to have non-GMO
eggs and papayas, but if there are GMO crops growing anywhere near us I lose that control.
Thank you for your consideration. Please do the right thing and keep control of our democratic process and our
right to protect our health and aina.
Mahalo,
Rachel Laderman
PO Box 100036 (31-1081 Kulike Way)
Hakalau, HI 96710
Comm. N 21 • (?�2
Ref. To:
Raf. Date—EEC 17 203