07-09-2010, 04:04 PM
James. understand that local resident’s opinion of their area can radically differ from the opinion of those outside the area. I don't know how long you've been dealing with the political arena of America, but as a candidate for elected office, may I suggest you find out real fast how perception of an area can be opposite of the reality. And you will want to learn how that perception can influence many aspects of government.
My personal opinion of the Puna Area is that it's a Hodge Podge mixed of good and bad, it's a melting pot of many differing attitudes and feelings for government. It has many positives and many negatives. It has rich and poor. Together this makes it a very interesting area. BUT, if those outside the area only see the bad and believe the area is trashy, no matter how nice things are in your eyes, everyone else is seeing the opposite.
That is the item that needs to be corrected. So long as the Puna area is viewed as the "other side of the tracks", you are not going to get the respect the area deserves. Think about all the things Puna does not get or have. How much of not getting do you think is due to how people outside the area view Puna.
I can talk to economic development people about a project and mention every district as a potential site. You will always get some negatives mentioned in all the districts. However, most times they brush those off with all the good things. Even Kau is only negative because of distance from Kona or Hilo. But mention Puna and the negatives flow like water with only sporadic mention of good.
Now, if everyone wants to wear blinders and pretend the world views the area as a wonderful place, so be it. But that does not change the reality of how the area is viewed and how that view rubs off in the delivery of services.
My personal opinion of the Puna Area is that it's a Hodge Podge mixed of good and bad, it's a melting pot of many differing attitudes and feelings for government. It has many positives and many negatives. It has rich and poor. Together this makes it a very interesting area. BUT, if those outside the area only see the bad and believe the area is trashy, no matter how nice things are in your eyes, everyone else is seeing the opposite.
That is the item that needs to be corrected. So long as the Puna area is viewed as the "other side of the tracks", you are not going to get the respect the area deserves. Think about all the things Puna does not get or have. How much of not getting do you think is due to how people outside the area view Puna.
I can talk to economic development people about a project and mention every district as a potential site. You will always get some negatives mentioned in all the districts. However, most times they brush those off with all the good things. Even Kau is only negative because of distance from Kona or Hilo. But mention Puna and the negatives flow like water with only sporadic mention of good.
Now, if everyone wants to wear blinders and pretend the world views the area as a wonderful place, so be it. But that does not change the reality of how the area is viewed and how that view rubs off in the delivery of services.