HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM. 063 Schuster, MOctober 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
_X_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
Mark Schuster
P.O. Box 4798
Kailua-Kona, HI 96745