HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM. 058 Wills, DOctober 6, 2009
ALOHA COMMISSION CHAIRMAN Edmund Haitsuka and COMMISSION MEMBERS David Fuertes, Daphne Honma,
Casey Jarman, Guy Kaulukukui, Jamae Kawauchi, Joseph Kealoha, Alapaki Nahale, Susie Osborne, Todd Shumway and
Scott Unger
Thank you for serving on this very important commission to update our Hawaii County Charter. Please consider the
following amendments when making your decisions on how to update our county charter:
I SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING CHECKED AMENDMENTS:
__4-YEAR COUNCIL TERMS: I do NOT support
_ X _ 4-Year COUNCIL TERMS- I DO support
__2% FOR THE LAND FUND- other counties have this funding set aside as part of their charter so citizens can count on
funds being available to acquire access to beaches and mountains, preserve culturally important land areas and sites, beaches,
coastal area, agricultural lands, protect natural resources, significant habitat or eco-systems, water quality and water systems,
including buffer zones. This would remove this funding from yearly budget wrangling and have the funds available to attract
matching funds.
_ X _VACANCIES- I support this amendment, because voters should have some say in this process. if an elected official
dies, resigns, is recalled or impeached, the 2nd highest vote getter in the last election could serve OR the public should be able
to have a "say " who shall serve for the rest of the term by a special election by mail.
_ X _APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS- I support this amendment because it gives the council
members the right to nominate people for boards and commissions, the Mayor can give comments and the public has a time to
weigh in. Council members know who is qualified and involved in their districts better than the Mayor.
X _AMENDING THE CHARTER- I support using the same process and procedure as Initiative and Referendum to amend
the charter as was written by the League of Women Voters and approved by voters in 2008.
_ X _FUNDING FOR THE LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR'S OFFICE- I support providing the legislative auditor's office with
funding that is independent of the budget process, so they are not beholden to the council and they can do their work
independently.
_ X _ COUNCIL COMMITTEES- I support having set standing committees for the County council. I support that notices
should be sent 6 calendar days before committee and council meetings and that council matters can only be delayed by one
meeting and that each council member shall have one vote on each committee.
_ X _REDISTRICTING- it is important to have each council district to have approximately the same amount of people and
the island to be divided into 9 equal districts. Federal guidelines should be followed, the process clearly defined and a report
made to the people in an open and transparent manner.
OUR CHARTER IS THE HIGHEST LAW OF HAWAII COUNTY.
I support open and transparent government.
Mahalo!
Debbie
Deborah L. Wills
327-3597
debbie.hcoa@hawaiiantel.net