06-28-2008, 06:37 AM
What would really impress me?
Prioritize successful implementation of the following policy initiatives.
Each of these policy initiatives have been demonstrated as viable and replicated in other jurisdictions.
There are ample proven models to draw upon and expedite implementation.
1.Implement a 'green' procurement policy, to support the purchase of recycled and environmentally preferred products in order to minimize environmental impacts related to the County government's activities.
2.Maximize the use of eco-friendly design for all new construction and all remodeling of county facilities, including, but not limited to, renewable energy such as solar (photovoltaic and hot water).
3.Enact 'good character' legislation that prohibits the county from letting contracts to, or conducting any other business transaction with, individuals or companies (including subsidiaries, partners, etc) that are repeated violators of environmental regulations, and that, during the most recent 10 years, have been convicted of felonies, or had adverse civil judgments. All vendors will provide full disclosure to document their character and business ethics.
4.Put into action a policy of Zero Waste, where the emphasis is on waste reduction, materials recycling, and resource recovery, using actions that are clean, safe, and low cost; and that strengthen community-based economic development. Change what has been called ‘waste management’ into ‘resource management’ – be resourceful instead of wasteful.
5.Phased prohibition of importation and/or use of material posing high risks of drastic and widely distributed environmental degradation, such as, but not limited to, polystyrene food containers and plastic-film shopping bags.
6.Lobby for State enactment of product stewardship (extended producer responsibility) legislation to provide incentives to manufacturers to consider the entire life-cycle impacts of a product and its packaging.
7.Rezone agricultural land to non-agricultural uses only in the case of public services and affordable housing, and only when it is demonstrated that no other site of comparable value for money is available in the same community. (kapu)
8.Fund and implement a mass transit system that directly and daily offers a viable alternative for commuting to work and school, with routes and schedules targeted at getting commuters to switch from driving private vehicles to riding the bus.
9.Fund what is necessary to put the entire county park system into topmost condition and to keep it that way.
10.Explore wide implementation of user-pay fees being a means for partial funding of non-emergency services, such as mass transit and parks.
James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park
Prioritize successful implementation of the following policy initiatives.
Each of these policy initiatives have been demonstrated as viable and replicated in other jurisdictions.
There are ample proven models to draw upon and expedite implementation.
1.Implement a 'green' procurement policy, to support the purchase of recycled and environmentally preferred products in order to minimize environmental impacts related to the County government's activities.
2.Maximize the use of eco-friendly design for all new construction and all remodeling of county facilities, including, but not limited to, renewable energy such as solar (photovoltaic and hot water).
3.Enact 'good character' legislation that prohibits the county from letting contracts to, or conducting any other business transaction with, individuals or companies (including subsidiaries, partners, etc) that are repeated violators of environmental regulations, and that, during the most recent 10 years, have been convicted of felonies, or had adverse civil judgments. All vendors will provide full disclosure to document their character and business ethics.
4.Put into action a policy of Zero Waste, where the emphasis is on waste reduction, materials recycling, and resource recovery, using actions that are clean, safe, and low cost; and that strengthen community-based economic development. Change what has been called ‘waste management’ into ‘resource management’ – be resourceful instead of wasteful.
5.Phased prohibition of importation and/or use of material posing high risks of drastic and widely distributed environmental degradation, such as, but not limited to, polystyrene food containers and plastic-film shopping bags.
6.Lobby for State enactment of product stewardship (extended producer responsibility) legislation to provide incentives to manufacturers to consider the entire life-cycle impacts of a product and its packaging.
7.Rezone agricultural land to non-agricultural uses only in the case of public services and affordable housing, and only when it is demonstrated that no other site of comparable value for money is available in the same community. (kapu)
8.Fund and implement a mass transit system that directly and daily offers a viable alternative for commuting to work and school, with routes and schedules targeted at getting commuters to switch from driving private vehicles to riding the bus.
9.Fund what is necessary to put the entire county park system into topmost condition and to keep it that way.
10.Explore wide implementation of user-pay fees being a means for partial funding of non-emergency services, such as mass transit and parks.
James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park
]