HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM. 082 e-ka e_T e 1L r-e vt Al(S srl�N
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Mr. Chairman and Members of The Charter Commission:
I was one of the six Charter Commissioners who voted for a Seven Member County
Council - five to be elected from the four Representative Districts on this
island and two at-large.
In my humble opinion a seven person Council can do as effective a job for our
people as can a nine person Council.
Quantity, in my estimation, is not the answer to our Council woes. It is the
quality of the men and women we elect to represent us that is of prime impor-
tance.
While I still believe that a seven person Council is the best for this County,
' .I also-kriow that only a fool, or a very strong headed individual, would not
.change his mind if a compromise is required on an issue - but not on a princi-
ple.
And to me the member composition of the Council is an issue - not a principle.
I frankly admit that my second choice for our Council make-up would have been
a nine person Council: five to be elected from the four Representative Districts
and four-at-large:
two from West Hawaii and two from East Hawaii.
The West Hawaii Boundary would be. from Kalil to Kona, including Kohala and
Waimea; and
The East Hawaii Boundary would encompass the area from Waipio Valley to
the Volcano.
Such a nine person Council would have given West Hawaii a three person
representation.
But in order to give Kona what. West Hawaii spokesmen say is "fair representation"
and to eliminate the charges levelled by them at the Charter Commission, I am
prepared to disregard my second option.
I, therefore, Mr. Chairman will support the submittal of two proposals for action
by our voters.
These two proposals are:
1. The Seven person Council we approved on a 6-5 vote, and
2. A nine person Council — each Council person to be elected from a duly
apportioned district.
The submittal of these two proposals will give the voters of this County the
opportunity of selecting the one they believe will give them the best representa-
tion possible.
COMM. NO.