HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm. 060 - 2021-12-16 (testimony) Barfield, Gay: County Council Boundary ChangesCOMMUNICATION 060
From: Canda, Amanda
Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2021 4:30 PM
To: Redistricting Commission
Cc: Gay Barfield;
Subject: Fw: TESTIMONY RE County Council BOUNDARY CHANGES
Importance: High
Aloha,
Please find below the written testimony for the Redistricting Commission meeting this evening, 12/16 from a
District 5 constituent, Gay Barfield.
I have cc'd her in this email should you have any questions or concerns. Mahalo!
Malama Pono,
Council Aide
Office of Matt Kaneali'i-Kleinfelder
Hawai'i County District 5
(808)961-8672
From: Gay Barfield
Sent: Thursday, December 16, 20214:19 PM
To: Canda, Amanda
Cc: glen -
Subject: TESTIMONY RE County Council BOUNDARY CHANGES
Amanda aloha. THE MESSAGE BELOW IS WHAT I RECEIVED when I tried to mail my testimony to the
commission!!!
Could you forward for me this content below for the meeting this evening? Or provide a corrected
address? Mahalo. gay barfield
Aloha Redistricting Commissioners,
I would like to submit this as testimony for your meetings.
My husband and I have lived in District 5, in Aloha Estate, for nearly 27 years. Our sense of
connection to the communities around us, such as Volcano, Mt. View, Kurtistown and Keaau, and
the shopping and life style activities connected to those areas, has worked beautifully for us over
these decades. We also feel a connection to lower Puna as well and its growth and well being
over the years.
We participate regularly in all the voting activities on issues connected to these areas, and join in
dialogue with our Council reps as is appropriate and supportive. We are very happy with the
current Council rep and their proactive and responsive engagement around issues that concern
our various neighborhoods.
1
We are very disappointed, and perplexed, by the new district alignment as shown in the current
plan for several reasons, above and beyond those stated above, which still stand for us.
One is that we see no sense of community connection with Kau and the South Kona areas and
their own unique needs as very rural and less populated and isolated areas. Nor do we see that in
the future.
Two, we have never, nor would we ever consider those areas as our neighborhood shopping and
sustainability venues, due to distance and vast differences in needs and population concerns, or
even ecological and environmental concerns.
Thirdly, a Council rep having to meet these vastly different concerns would carry a very difficult
challenge and burden in attempting to do so fairly, or in being elected to do so in the first place.
Fourthly, the issue of dividing this current district 5 in half right across Highway 11, and making it a
district that splits several communities above right down the middle, into TWO new districts, one
for the Mauka and the other for the Makai tracts and communities seems rather illogical.Splitting
them right down the middle, as if crossing a street puts one in another District, makes no logical
sense that I can determine.
While I personally do not have a current precise decision that seems more realistic, I believe my
husband has an idea about keeping the voting numbers balanced and voting more appropriate,
that could be considered. I do feel that from Volcano down to Keaau shopping areas seems to be
a much more appropriate splitting, to include BOTH sides of the highway.
While we are unable to attend the meeting this evening, please consider this input as you meet.
These decisions will have as you so well know, very significant long term ripples on all of Hawaii
Island. We hope you are open to reconsiderations still.
With aloha and appreciation - Gay Barfield
Gay Barfield, Ph.D., Lic. MFT
Cell:
Home:
From: System Administrator
Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2021 4:12 PM
To: Gay Barfield
Subject: Undeliverable: TESTIMONY RE County Council BOUNDARY CHANGES
Your message did not reach some or all of the intended recipients.
Subject: TESTIMONY RE County Council BOUNDARY CHANGES
Sent: 12/16/2021 4:12 PM
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'redistrictingcommission@hawaiicouniy.gov' on 12/16/2021 4:12 PM
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