HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0494.002 2014-2016LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS®
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ELECTION INFORMATION YOU NEED
P.O. Box 6651 Hilo, HI 96721 i www.lwvhawaii.com/hawaii.htm 1808.933.86831 Iwvhawaiicty@gmail.com
Committee on Finance
Chair Karen Eoff
Vice -Chair Valerie Poindexter
West Hawai' i Civic Center
74-5044 Keohokalole Highway, Building A
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
October 20, 2015
Bill 101: Relating to the Board of Ethics
Testimony
October 20, 2015, 2:00 p.m.
Chair Eoff, Vice Chair Poindexter, and Members of the Committee:
COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAII
RECEIVED
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The League of Women Voters of Hawaii County supports the intent of Bill 101 which proposes an.
amendment to the charter to change the method of appointing Ethics Board members.
There are presently two vacancies on the five -member Ethics Board. One seat has been vacant
since January 2014, the other since the beginning of this year. With so few members, reaching a
quorum can be difficult. This constrains the work of the Ethics Board. So far in 2015, three of ten
meetings have been canceled. Increasing the number of members to nine would reduce the effect
vacancies would have on meeting quorums.
We would like to also suggest that amendments to this bill be considered: to provide for initial
staggered terms of office; to require that the Board meet on both sides of the island; and to require
the mayor to act on a nomination within a certain time frame (for example, 120 days) or relinquish
the selection to the district's council member. Meeting on both sides of the islands not only allows
more members of the public to attend, but may also attract more candidates for unfilled seats on
this board.
We believe that the nomination of board members by council district, with -appointment by the
Mayor and confirmation of the Council, has the best chance of producing a fair, impartial, and
representative Ethics Board. 4a
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Donna Oba, Co -President ��f Ref. To: Date OCT � 0 �Ai�
League of Women Voters of Hawaii County
P. O. BOX 665 *Hilo, HI 96721-0665 *Voicemail: 808.933.VOTE (933.8683) Olmhawaiictyaa gmail.com
The League of Women Voters®, a nonpartisan, political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government,
works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy