Puna Loses Again: Puna 0 Hilo 4

[Guest]

"Sometimes we got to do things as leaders that are not going to be very popular,"

Emily Naeole

"I'm a native Hawaiian. A lot of my family members have land on the shoreline. I don't want them [the government) to come right over there and zap 'em right off."

Emily Naeole




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Lower your expectations and be ready for anything.

[james weatherford]

quote:

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Originally posted by gtill

DrW, If this last vote costs Puna a seat in the council, Or are we supposed to be just thankful we get to pay our taxes and stay here, but shut up unless it's endorsed by an all knowing Academic.

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"what is there to be positive about?"
Plenty: like the fact that politics is only one part of life.
You seem to imply that the redistricting or not is going to be the biggest impact on Puna of anything the County will do.
As horrid as the redistricting may turn out to be, the larger situation has much more to offer.

And, it is erroneous to suggest that I have said anyone should "shut up" -- quite the opposite. My point is speak up with positive ways to make things happen for us all and not just trash other folks for not making things happen for you.



James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park

[Kale4Puna]

Aloha e James,
"E kala mai ia'u" (please excuse the misunderstanding) if the questions that I raised were perceived as attacks. The intent was meant to get clarification. You being a strong supporter of your councilwoman, I am sure that you would want her to explain why she voted against Bill 276.

I have read the proposed Bill 276 and talked with Councilwoman Brenda Ford who authored the Bill and everything points to Puna gaining a 2nd seat on the council. In raising the questions that are in question.....the intent was to find out from Councilwoman Naeole, what was behind her decision to vote against the redistricting that would have been a huge positive step forward for Puna.

It was not meant as an attack....just getting some clarification for Councilwoman Naeole.

Bob...yes this would be a citizen initiative. The Council can no longer take up this issue in the same session so we the citizens need to get enough signatures in time to get it on the ballot....I've been told that we don't have enough time....but one never knows unless we try....

Malama aina,
Kale

[Jon]

Without an explanation from the councilwoman, the correct thing for her constituents to think will be bad thoughts... that’s politics. She needs to speak up.


If it were a Texas politician I would bet that they did not want to share the power with another councilperson or that a new councilperson might make them look bad. But then, I like the " The Malevolent Jobholder" form of politics...




Texan Moving to Puna.

[Rob Tucker]

I have made a written request to her office. I think it appropriate to wait a few days for a response. They are busy people. I promise to share whatever response, or lack of response, with Punaweb.

So let's just be patient.

[james weatherford]

Aloha nui Kale, Mahalo.

Politics is a very exciting undertaking. As it happens, the political process we are engaged in is democracy, making for an even greater tendency to excitement since we all get to participate. That's good.

Please don't feel compelled to rely on highlighting real or imagined shortcomings of others for the purpose of advancing your own position -- you don't need to do that. You obviously have a good head on your shoulders and a lot to offer in your own right. As a voter, that is what I want to hear about from you -- your vision, your ideas, your proposals.



James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park

[james weatherford]

quote:

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Originally posted by Jon
share the power with another councilperson or that a new councilperson might make them look bad"

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Since you do not live here and, after all, you are only a Texan, you probably wouldn't know that this isn't about "power sharing" or being made to "look bad".

As I gather the concerns raised by my friends and neighbors here, in Puna, the problem is that the proposed redistricting would end the existing gerrymandered boundaries that scatter Puna residents across three separate districts, and the result would then be two districts would be comprised entirely, or very nearly so, of Puna residents.
[Rob, Kale, et al, will correct me if I am in error here.]

The assumption seems to be that voters in Puna have more in common with each other than with neighboring Districts of Ka'u and South Hilo. Is this is a really valid assumption? Is Volcano more like Kapoho than Pahala?

Are Kehena and Orchidland and Glenwood realy so homogenuous?
A representative district is sometimes said to be best when the residents are as nearly homogeneous as possible.

Do I favor the proposed redistricting? Don't know yet.
But I am and will remain forever opposed to grandstanding, knee-jerk parochialism with no underlying redeeming value for the welfare of the community at large.

James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park

[Jon]

Actually, my primary residence is now in Puna.... and I have family is there also...

I "am" only a Texan, but you might want to read up on how the DIMs kept the state power in their hands by gerrymandering the districts in their favor. It took people with guts to stand up to them and fix the mess.

I may not know all about the politics of Hawaii, but I do know a little about politics in general, and all politics is local.


All politics in about power.


Texan Moving to Puna.

[gtill]

Welcome Jon, and you've got it right! As much as some like to dream we're different than other institutions, forget it. Different scabs and warts,but same principal driving factor, Power!

[james weatherford]

quote:

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Originally posted by gtill

Welcome Jon, and you've got it right! As much as some like to dream we're different than other institutions, forget it. Different scabs and warts,but same principal driving factor, Power!

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I am definitely in the Amen! corner on this one with gtill and Jon.

Hey, in the politics of my ol' Kentucky home where I wuz born and Tennessee where I worked ...
Not many Pollyanas and Do-Gooders in Power there (although, former Governors and Congressmen have done Time in the Federal Big House).

...Jon, I was making fun about the Texas thing -- being from Kentucky, and then Tennessee (the 'mother of Texas') I took that friendly prerogative. Aloha Y'all.

(btw: Henry Kissinger is said to have identified "power" as the "ultimate aphrodisiac...")

James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park