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OK, Rob, this was your suggestion. I have been lurking on Hunter Bishop's blog and have read all kinds of wild stuff there in addition to hearing a few radio ads and reading the local paper. Of course, you can't miss the sign waving if you travel the roads. Soooo, I will summarize some of what I have seen and heard and try not to be too biased. I would really like to know what folks who have lived longer here than I have to say.
County Council, Naeole vs. Safarik
Naeole is widely considered friendly, outgoing, and committed to community improvement work. She is criticized for being overly religious and short on specific solutions for Puna's problems.
Safarik is described as knowledgeable about the processes and personalities of the Council. (Being an incumbent, he should be.) He also has provided lists of goals and accomplishments, which we are free to agree or disagree with. His downside is also the fact that he is an incumbent, and a lot of people are dissatisfied with the status quo.
State House, Hanohano vs. Jordan
Hanohano is the Democratic nominee, having won the primary. Thus she represents the majority party of Hawaii, which usually does well in Puna. She has, however, been described as the "absent candidate" with very few public appearances or policy statements, other than generic Democratic stuff. Also, I believe she did issue one statement that she supports using Railroad Ave through HPP as a new route out of Puna.
Jordan is regarded as a hard worker and committed to community improvement. He supports local school boards and more support for charter schools. He is a Republican, which does not always play well in Puna. It should be noted that he has made a point to distance himself from some of Bush's policies, especially Iraq. He also describes himself as a supporter of Governor Lingle and proponent of more efficiency and fiscal restraint in State Government.
Please disagree with, add to, or correct any of these statements. I am not sensitive and really put all this out there to see what others say and learn more.
Cheers,
Jerry
Edited by - JerryCarr on 11/03/2006 11:08:34
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the coconut wireless tells me that Naeole has little regard for "alternative" lifestyles... cant substantiate CW rumor...
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Gee I hope those sensitive to this thread, can avert their sensitive eyes, and ears, and don't bash it with mango pitters. Lets hope they don't tune in here and bash you with their abrupt aloha in their efforts to quash your thread Jerry. You are very brave, and I think very diplomatic, unlike others, but of course this is only my humble and uninformed opinion perhaps???
Thanks I like hearing peoples thought about all the local issues! CW or not.
mella l
mella l
Art and Science
bytheSEA
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I like Hunter and Aaron's blogs and read them regularly. Thnak you to both of them for their sites.
http://aaronstene.blogspot.com/
http://hunterbishop.com/display/ShowJournal?moduleId=661603&creatorId=95814
Hanohano is unknown to me. In twelve years I had never run into her to my knowledge. I have had a lot of experience with Brian Jordan and am willing to overcome his Republican status. Brian is a maverick republican and I think he is knowledgable and hard working and honest. There will be a better give and take with diversity in the legislature. If the legislature is all democrats then the old boys continue to decide what happens and the newcomers "wait their turn".
Honesty can be a problem in Hawaiian politics. Being a life long registered independant I can lean a number of ways but even being forewarned I was very unprepared for the level of corruption in Hawaiian Democratic machinery.
Safarik has annoyed me on more than one occasion and I felt he talked the Puna talk but walked the Hilo walk too much. He did come through with $50k for the Pahoa skatepark. That was appreciated. He does know the ropes and rules in county procedure. He needs to learn to listen more closely. I bet he is listening a lot right now (there's a meeting tonight in Keaau).
Will he bring us concurrency? Will Puna finally get many long overdure county improvements? The overall council makeup is about to change in a good way for Puna and for Kona I think.
Emily is sincere and sweet and kind. Her performance in the primary surprised her too I bet. Can she get up to speed on council issues without being overcome by the other council members? She appears unclear on facts like the Board of Education is state not county.
Anyone who wants to present other thoughts or facts is welcome. The election is just a few days away. I would like to hear from anyone more familiar with Hanohano or Naeole.
Assume the best and ask questions.
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Here are 8 questions that were asked and the answers given by the
County Council Candidates For District 5
Gary Safarik
http://hawaiiislandjournal.com/elections...afarik.php
Emily Naeole
http://hawaiiislandjournal.com/elections2006/naeole.php
Source: Hawaii Island Journal
Andrew
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Chinese curse "May you live in interesting times".
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) Do you support ballot initiative requesting the County Council to amend the County Code to set aside 2% of property tax revenues specifically for purchase of open land. Why or why not? If yes, what lands do you consider most important to purchase as quickly as possible.
Naeole's Answer: No. Being Native Hawaiian I am not in favor of any County, State or Federal acquisition of lands. I do not support giving monies into a fund that already has lands that is not used or developed for community purposes. Giving more power of land base is not the answer. The answer is protect our forest, shorelines from being over developed -- spend 2% more wisely.
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Got issues with that. What about the people who have purchased land but now cant build because of the SMA restrictions ? A suggestion was made to purchase those properties deemed "unbuildable" and the idea was pooh-poohed by those in planning who make the SMA decisions..... cant build/cant sell... sounds like a shoreline park to me!
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Thanks, Andrew. Those links were very helpful and interesting. Is there anything similar for the State House race?
Also thanks to Mella for the kind thoughts. So far, everybody has been pretty nice. (Famous last words? LOL)
Cheers,
Jerry
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Here are links to State candidate flyers offering statements of why they think they will make the best representative:
Anderson - Libertarian
http://www.hawaii.gov/elections/candidat...on_r04.pdf
Hanohano - Democrat
http://www.hawaii.gov/elections/candidat...no_r04.pdf
Jordan - Republican
http://www.hawaii.gov/elections/candidat...an_r04.pdf
--
Andrew
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Edited by - Andrew on 11/03/2006 13:34:05
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Rob, thanks for the link -
Very interesting on Virgina Isbell...
Does anyone remember the days when she was the Family Crisis Shelter's worst nightmare?
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I just checked the link Andrew provided for the State House candidate profiles. Faye Hanohano's link listed her academic, employment, and union credentials, but not one policy position or goal, other than a promise to work hard and be honest. The other two candidates did mention specific issues, so I am sure the format allows it. Am I missing something? Does anyone out there know what she really wants to do if elected?
Puzzled,
Jerry
