HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0009.031 2014-2016Murashige, Laura
From: Beth McCormick <onionhousehawaii@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2015 10:19 AM
To: Council Testimony; Chung, Aaron; Onishi, Dennis; Ilagan, Greggor, Paleka, Danieli Eoff
Karen
Subject: Please hire Earth Justice and the Center for Food Safety (for free) to defend GMO crop
ban 13-121
Dear County Council members:
As the president of the Permaculture Foundation of Hawaii, and one of the founders of Anawaiwela
Farm in Opihikao, Hawaii, I am writing in support of hiring Earth Justice and the Center for Food Safety to
defend the GMO crop ordinance 13-121. This case raises important issues about'Home Rule,' and I firmly
believe that local governments need to maintain the authority to address environmental, agricultural, and
quality -of -life issues at the county level, which is most responsive to Hawaii residents. This case is about
finding an appropriate balance of power between the branches of government.
The other issue is about GMOs themselves, and there are a host of reasons to oppose GMOs. If Judge
Kurren's ruling overturning the GMO crop ban were to stand, it would set a very bad precedent for other GMO
bans throughout the country. This is why there is so much money and attention focussed on this issue, and why
this is an historically pivotal point in time.
I urge you to hire the best possible law firms, in this case Earth Justice and the Center for Food Safety,
who have generously offered to make these arguments for free. This case is deserving of the best possible
hearing, on all sides of a pivotal issue that will impact the future for generations to come.
Aloha pumehana,
Beth McCormick
President. The Pcrmaculture Foundation of Hawaii
Comm. No. 9-3/
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