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Planning Department vs. SPACE (by Graham Ellis)
#41
quote:
Originally posted by DanielP

Why would SPACE jeopardize their Use Permit so vicariously? Were the infractions that they chose to create so important as to jeopardize the whole thing? Why are they willing to risk what they have by thumbing their noses among other digits at the Planning Dept?
Anyone able to answer that question?
Well Dan, truth is only someone from SPACE can tell you why they do this. I had assumed that someone from that organization would have offered to answer you question or at least directed one of their supporters to answer it.

So absent any answer from SPACE, let me offer my professional opinion:

They do it because they can get away with it. Each and every time they are caught violating the SUP, they launch a community public relations campaign. The campaign is basically the same three points:
1. It evil government trying to squash the poor people of the community.
2. Its all the evil outsiders trying to cause problems for the poor people of the community.
3. it’s everyone’s fault but ours because everyone else is against the poor people of the community.

This tactic has been successful because it clouds the issue from violations and broken promises by SPACE to turning it to a Them (government and outside agitators) versus US (the poor old community). It keep them from answering why they broke their agreements, why they have chosen to ignore the rules they agreed to abide by, it allows them to create a community far reaching and often includes the very same outsiders they say are part of the evil group. Overall, it keeps them from having to answer why they are a bunch of liars.

So, since it works (even though they end up having to back down privately in the face of government authority because they did in fact violate their agreement) they keep using it. There is no reason for them to stop because they have masterfully manipulated the people and their supporters to think that this issue is something its not. So long as they can continue pulling the strings of their supporters and have them dance around like monkeys in a puppet show, they have absolutely no reason to stop violating the rules.
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#42
Sorry about the delay with a response but in addition to our regular busy lives and volunteer work maintaining our community services we are also having to respond to a very hostile Planning Director.

While we are certainly open to the new technology industrial arts that Greg describes above, our proposal comes from a group of professional artists who live in our neighborhood who want to share their skills with community members. They are highly respected and extremely qualified local artists including Garry Hoffeld - cabinet making and fine woodworking, Daniel Moe - glass blowing and sculpturing, Greg Rodin Paul - metal sculpturing.
They have plans to create an artists collective that will teach students from HAAS school as well as adults from our community. The industrial arts center location will be on land we are hoping to lease from the DLNR which will enable it to be far from any Seaview residences and buffered by Bellyacres and a forested kipuka.

Regarding violations, please keep in mind that SPACE is one of many community groups island wide that provide facilities and programs for the benefit of neighbors in an effort to promote community. We do this as a service and not for profit. SPACE and Kalani Honua are the only two community groups that have actually applied for Special Permits in an effort to operate in compliance. Obtaining permits is seen by many other groups as intimidating and a handicap since it makes us susceptible to much greater scrutiny. Both Kalani and SPACE have been cited for violations and have learned that the Special Permit process was created to regulate business developments and is simply not designed to accomodate the needs of growing communities. Our position is that Hawaii Island would benefit tremendously if we had a system more appropriate for supporting grass roots community groups providing services that the County is unable to. This is the goal we are working towards and we have the support of a very large number of residents. So far we have not had a single monkey sign a testimonial or offer to attend the May 3rd Commission meeting. And if Mr Orts knew me better he would know that l am a juggler and not a puppeteer.
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#43
Wow! I don't really have a dog in this fight and I often don't agree with Bob Orts but by my reading Graham just confirmed everything Bob said.

Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
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#44
Bob calls the SPACE advocates "liars".

I believe that as a grassroots organization, they don't have the same legal resources as developers/corporations do in changing Government policy. (Read- Lawyers in active retainer, or LIAR)

They are going to have to rely on community support for their programs, rather than spending precious funds on a legal team. Fortunately for SPACE, that's exactly what they have; The support of their community.
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#45
"The industrial arts center location will be on land we are hoping to lease from the DLNR"

Neat trick the planing board has no authority on state land
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#46
quote:
Originally posted by Graham

...- metal sculpturing.
The industrial arts center location will be on land we are hoping to lease from the DLNR which will enable it to be far from any Seaview residences and buffered by Bellyacres and a forested kipuka.


Graham,how people who are considering to buy in Seaview can be sure that you are going to keep your promise this time?
Not fun to hear metal screeching sound for hours near your house.
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#47
"Casting a shadow over all this is the history of our Planning Director, Bobbie-Jean Leithead-Todd, of favoritism toward large business interests and a sense of disdain for small grass roots interests. To illustrate my point I would direct you to read:

http://www.bigislandchronicle.com/2010/0...bby-jeans/"

Personal dealings with BJ L-Todd would cause me to agree that she's very biased in favor of corporate interests...Not cool.

All this bru-ha-ha over over-regulations is nauseating. Big gov't, more rules! Who can keep up? Regulate a lemonade stand. This is what this country's coming to...
John Stossel's Illegal Everything
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBiJB8YuDBQ
SECRET KNOWLEDGE - "NOT FOR US TO KNOW"? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91qs9v-upWI
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#48
SPACE has learned a great deal about what activities our community does and does not want to have located at Bellyacres. Our proposals for the future come from many meetings and many hours of discussion between stakeholders.
SPACE is managed by a volunteer group of community members which includes representatives of impacted neighbors as well as respected leaders in our community including several retired Seaview Board members. It's impossible to please everyone all the time but when we receive legitimate complaints we treat them seriously and do our best to mitigate any impacts. If you are planning to live near SPACE and have concerns please come and talk with us directly. Jenna Way is our Executive Director and she can be reached at 965 8756.
Regarding the Industrial Arts Center, as l mentioned previously, Bellyacres homes and residents will be much closer than any Seaview residents and will be impacted first if there is any noise. We also appreciate tranquility which is why we traded in our weedwackers and riding mower for two horses five years ago. We appreciate your questions.
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