09-26-2010, 03:45 AM
http://www.hawaii-county.com/council/201.../CA-17.pdf
This amendment is to change the name of the Reapportionment Commission to "Redistricting Commission" to make the name consistent with the practice of redrawing district lines. Additionally, provisions are being added so that the commission shall adhere to the four redistricting criteria instead of being "guided" by them. Public hearing requirements are being added as well as a required report to the mayor and council about the commission's activities and progress. Last, the commission is to be appointed and confirmed by July 1 prior to the census year to give the commission more time to complete their work.
Regarding the Sunshine Law and redistricting meetings...on Monday, Bobbie Jean and I were in discussion of redistricting coming up and I asked her if it was true the public would not be allowed to participate or know what was going on. She said that the Sunshine Law applies to the Redistricting process. I told her I'd heard from a couple of sources, one of whom attended a meeting that removed the public from the process, she reaffirmed the Sunshine Law still pertains. Now, if you look at #3 of the charter 'above' you see an inclusion to require public hearings as well as a a report to the council and mayor as to the proceedings. I know Public Hearings is a different topic than the public being involved at the meetings as the processes moves forward. And I understand the a report is different. Perhaps someone can provide the proof that Sunshine Law was not going to be allowed? Then we can make sure we get the Council to reverse that.
www.write-matters.com
This amendment is to change the name of the Reapportionment Commission to "Redistricting Commission" to make the name consistent with the practice of redrawing district lines. Additionally, provisions are being added so that the commission shall adhere to the four redistricting criteria instead of being "guided" by them. Public hearing requirements are being added as well as a required report to the mayor and council about the commission's activities and progress. Last, the commission is to be appointed and confirmed by July 1 prior to the census year to give the commission more time to complete their work.
Regarding the Sunshine Law and redistricting meetings...on Monday, Bobbie Jean and I were in discussion of redistricting coming up and I asked her if it was true the public would not be allowed to participate or know what was going on. She said that the Sunshine Law applies to the Redistricting process. I told her I'd heard from a couple of sources, one of whom attended a meeting that removed the public from the process, she reaffirmed the Sunshine Law still pertains. Now, if you look at #3 of the charter 'above' you see an inclusion to require public hearings as well as a a report to the council and mayor as to the proceedings. I know Public Hearings is a different topic than the public being involved at the meetings as the processes moves forward. And I understand the a report is different. Perhaps someone can provide the proof that Sunshine Law was not going to be allowed? Then we can make sure we get the Council to reverse that.
www.write-matters.com
"Q might have done the right thing for the wrong reason, perhaps we need a good kick in our complacency to get us ready for what's ahead" -- Captain Picard, to Guinan (Q Who?)