Elections 2012 county council

[hollinger54]

How do I know the candidates that claim to represent Puna that will be running this coming election, are not just another Good ol' boy candidate like so many people before. Are you going to throw Puna under the rag? Or are you SERIOUSLY going to stand up for the people. We don't need anymore good old boy politics, we have, I have had enough.

Hollinger

[james weatherford]

Aloha Hollinger,

Thank you for starting this thread.

First, on the light side, as for "good old boy" -- well, a male I am, though certainly, at age 60, could not be considered a young boy. Good? At what?




Now, more seriously. If there is one thing I am confident that people who know me would agree with (even if they do not agree on other details) is that I am not part of what is commonly referred to as a 'good ole boy' clique that serves narrow interests.

My reason for running is to work for all of the Puna makai community and to raise the standard for responsive public service in the Hawaii County government.
I will work on the County Council for: government that is open, accessible, responsive, and accountable; infrastructure and services to strengthen Puna’s economy; and creation of opportunities to grow our island’s agriculture.
I am not launching a political career -- the only political ambition I have is to serve on the Hawaii County Council.

I am independent.
This is a nonpartisan election, so my candidacy has no ties to any political party and I have never been a candidate for any political party.

Furthermore, I am seeking 100% public funding for my campaign, which means I will not be relying on the deep pockets of narrow interests to fund my campaign. I have never accepted any private campaign contributions.

If you have any specific questions, please reply here so we can share your questions and my replies with everyone.

You can learn more about me and my candidacy at jamesweatherford.com

[IKE]

what can i say im a open book i beleive in community access government with co-op options in getting things done with the district i serve and the island i love. hoponopono is my way of life as aloha is and as sustainability for our people is as well if not more so.im not a good ole boy in anyway unless you are talking about being someone who lives and loves puna for all the things it has to offer.. im not going for public funding at all im a real person and ask for the help of the community to help my grass rooted big island sustaining,puna lovin campaign. my heart my hands and all that i know i use,, i would rather show thru my actions of volenteering and growing food to give for free than to feel the need to go big and flashy.. honestly due to its not about me or my face its about my actions and my words and how i can use my abilities to bring together the needs and wants of the people that inhabit puna and her surrounding areas.. and just because im only running in one district doesn't mean i wont be there to help anyone out in any district if i have the ability too.. my work ethic is strong and my desire to have Puna pono is the kuliana i hold on my shoulders,thou it is not mine alone .. i will carry your load for you if you need my help.

IKE PAYNE

[Rene Siracusa]

One way to tell who is a 'good ole boy' is to follow the money. Campaign Spending Reports will be available at the Elections Office. Look at them to see if you recognize any names or businesses - and the larger amounts especially. Usually that's a pretty good indication.
Another way is to attend candidate forums and phrase your questions very carefully. Often what the don't say when they answer your question is as telling - or more so - than what they do say. Good luck.

[james weatherford]

Very much like Rene's point about 'follow the money'.
Every candidate's contributions and expenditures can be found at the Campaign Spending Commission website -- http://hawaii.gov/campaign
Look on the right side for 'view reports' and 'candidate committees'.

Example: In 2008, a certain Council member was a candidate for Mayor (a sexual harassment charge was his eventual undoing). I went to Campaign Spending Commission website and looked at the contributors. Sorted them by amount, highest to lowest. Then opened the Hawaii County website in another window. Copied the name of a big money contributor and pasted it for a Search on the County site. Search turned up a hit with a contract. Did that for three contributors and found three contracts -- contributions and contracts were all dated within a few days of each other. Roof on the Hilo Central Fire Station was one.
Coincidence?

[niele]

There may be little money to follow. Are all the candidates opting for public funding under the "Clean Elections" program? I gave $5.00 to a young man Greg Ilagan and signed his paper for public funding. It is very refreshing to see young people who can speak intelligently and who are willing step up for public service. I want to encourage that. I don't think you can buy much influence with five bucks.

[IKE]

well i know y self and im trying to go completely grass rooted by on buy something that may be needed . you just dont knowdoing by campaign by the people and donations of location and word of mouth. for some people dont have five bucks to give.. and i want people to keep there money to help there families 5 dollars doesnt seem like a big thing but it is.. im looking for creative ways to run for office. for i know as with myself 5 dollars canbe the difference but as i said creativity is key here
and volunteers and volunteerism of things may a way
Volunteers
When services are volunteered, i.e., the volunteer is not paid by any person, this is not a non-monetary contribution.
If a person, other than the candidate or committee, pays the “volunteer” for their services, the activity is no longer considered voluntary and the payments are non-monetary contributions.
IKE PAYNE

[james weatherford]

quote:

---

Originally posted by niele

There may be little money to follow. Are all the candidates opting for public funding under the "Clean Elections" program?

---

So far, there are 10 people in 6 of 9 districts who have declared intent to use the comprehensive public funding:
One candidate in each of Districts 2, 7, 8, and 9.
Two candidates in District 4.
Four candidates in District 6.
Zero candidates in Districts 1, 3, and 5.

For more information see...

http://hawaii.gov/campaign/comprehensive...ic-funding
and
http://hawaii.gov/campaign/comprehensive...tionfilers

***

From http://www.bigislandchronicle.com/2012/0...s-to-date/
as of March 6, the following 30 people had pulled papers for Council seats (which means they have taken the nomination petition to get it signed to put them on the ballot, but not yet official candidates):

Council District 1: Eric P. D’Almeida; Larry M. Gering; Jo Kim; and Valerie T. Poindexter

Council District 2: Kenneth G. Goodenow; Steve Keanahou Wilhelm; and J Stanley Yoshimoto

Council District 3: Dennis M. Onishi

Council District 4: Frederick F. Blas; Greggor Johanson P. Ilagan; Ike Payne; and James W. Weatherford

Council District 5: Steven J. Araujo; Liscencio N. Ceredon; Vance P. Dubuclet; Zendo Kern; and James L. Venable

Council District 6: Marie J. Burns; Maile P. David; Brenda J. Ford; Harry L. McIntosh III; and Bradley D. Westervelt

Council District 7: Dru Kanuha and Edgar B. Ombac

Council District 8: Charles G. Guccione and Karen Eoff

Council District 9: Robert A. Green; William J. Sanborn; Oliver Shimaoka; and Margaret Wille

[hollinger54]

How is taking money from the people a sign of trust for a campaign? Don't people have probably food or gas they can buy with their 5 dollars? Trust should be earned through works, any candidate who has their hands into shady deals should be held as examples. What good are private dinners for 250$ plates for donations, or proposals that only help the people who afford such Ag land. If one stands to make money off of polices, they should not be in the race.
Time for some new blood, someone who will look out for the sovereign state of Hawaii, someone who will Malama Aina and Malama Kanaka.

Hollinger

[niele]

I stand corrected. I didn't give any money to any candidate. I gave $5 to the State Campaign Fund. I figure the guys who need public funding to run are more likely to care about people who really really don't have $5. Money isn't easy but, I will gamble $5 that this system is better than the "Monty Hall: Let's make a deal" model the rest of the country operates on. So hollinger54 you are correct it is not a sign of trust, it is a sign of optimism and hope that those of us that still want to believe in Democracy are not alone.