10-07-2008, 09:29 AM
Dear Barbara -
I don't know what your personal issues are with Gary Safarik, but I do want to address your comment: "He spent NO TIME on the PCDP". As a polital junky I remember that when the General Plan revision had all but fallen by the wayside, it was Gary who not only resuscitated it and pushed for its passage, but it was he who made the motion in Feb. 2005 to include community development plans AND THEIR FUNDING in the General Plan. It passed. There would be no PCDP at all if not for Gary IN THE VERY BEGINNING, SETTING THE WHOLE THING IN MOTION.
People who think Gary did nothing for Puna don't know the inside story. It was he who figured out how Council discretionary funds could be siphoned to community nonprofits for worthwhile projects. This resulted in supplies and equipment for both the Auto Shop and the Culinary Arts program at PHIS, and the installation of security cameras there after several vandalism/arson events. At the time, he had less than a third of the contingency money that Emily has had to give out this past year. She wouldn't have been able to fund so many projects if Gary hadn't shown the way. Understanding how the system works was key to it all. I know that HPP has benefitted from contingency money, and, bottom line, you owe it to Gary.
He may not be the most warm and fuzzy candidate, but he knows how to get things done, even without money. When the PHIS auto shop no longer had a safe hydraulic lift, he arranged to have Lex Brodie's donate one. If we always vote for someone with charisma or a pleasant manner ONLY, we will forever be putting nice people into office who don't have a clue. I know where my priorities lie, and I hope that you will re-think yours. If you want to talk about this, give me a buzz and we'll have coffee.
aloha,
Rene
I don't know what your personal issues are with Gary Safarik, but I do want to address your comment: "He spent NO TIME on the PCDP". As a polital junky I remember that when the General Plan revision had all but fallen by the wayside, it was Gary who not only resuscitated it and pushed for its passage, but it was he who made the motion in Feb. 2005 to include community development plans AND THEIR FUNDING in the General Plan. It passed. There would be no PCDP at all if not for Gary IN THE VERY BEGINNING, SETTING THE WHOLE THING IN MOTION.
People who think Gary did nothing for Puna don't know the inside story. It was he who figured out how Council discretionary funds could be siphoned to community nonprofits for worthwhile projects. This resulted in supplies and equipment for both the Auto Shop and the Culinary Arts program at PHIS, and the installation of security cameras there after several vandalism/arson events. At the time, he had less than a third of the contingency money that Emily has had to give out this past year. She wouldn't have been able to fund so many projects if Gary hadn't shown the way. Understanding how the system works was key to it all. I know that HPP has benefitted from contingency money, and, bottom line, you owe it to Gary.
He may not be the most warm and fuzzy candidate, but he knows how to get things done, even without money. When the PHIS auto shop no longer had a safe hydraulic lift, he arranged to have Lex Brodie's donate one. If we always vote for someone with charisma or a pleasant manner ONLY, we will forever be putting nice people into office who don't have a clue. I know where my priorities lie, and I hope that you will re-think yours. If you want to talk about this, give me a buzz and we'll have coffee.
aloha,
Rene