HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM. 245 LWV Testimony for CA-16 Proposed Changes to Articvle XV - March 10 2010
HAWAII COUNTY
P.O. BOX 665, Hilo, HI 96721
TO: Charter Commission
FROM: Helen Hemmes, President, LWVHC, 935-6214, hemmesh@hawaiiantel.net
DATE: March 10, 2010
RE: CA- 16 Proposed Changes to Article XV – Charter Amendment and Revision
Dear Chairman Haitsuka and Members of the Charter Commission:
On February 27, 2010, Susan Dursin submitted written testimony on her own behalf in support
of CA-16. She testified that she felt “the process approved by voters for Article XI, Initiative
and Referendum, is the process to be followed in Article XV, Charter Amendment and
Revision.” The process clearly identifies the steps that need to be followed by those who wish
to launch a petition drive.
On behalf of the League of Women Voters of Hawaii County (LWVHC), I simply want to go on
record that Susan Dursin, past-president and currently West Hawaii representative, speaks as
well for the LWVHC.
The mission of the LWV is to encourage informed and active participation in government. The
proposed wording of Article XV, in contrast to the current wording, helps citizens understand the
process for a potentially successful end product—the placement of an issue on the ballot for the
total electorate to decide.
The step-by-step process proposed also serves those in County government well, as it allows the
Office of Elections thirty days instead of twenty for verifying signatures. It also allows them to
use their present system of verification easily.
We hope that you will approve the proposal at its stands.
Respectfully submitted,
Helen Hemmes, President
League of Women Voters of Hawaii County
Our Mission Statement
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed
and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public
olicy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. p