Posts: 2,149
Threads: 90
Joined: Feb 2006
That was me in the Texas Longhorns cap, Damon. I should have identified myself, I suppose.
Anyway, the house was packed, and most of the testimony seemed to me to run in favor of "Pass it now, amend it later." Of course there were some who favored slogging through the amendment process before inacting it into law. The number of amendments is now up to 59. That's right folks, 59. Now maybe I am a cynic, but I can't see the various steering committees, planning committees, commissions, and finally the full council digesting all those amendments in anything resembling a timely manner. If it's not enacted by the end of the current Council term, there's no telling what will become of it.
What was really odd to me was the fact that several people claimed that the Puna CDP process was either not inclusive enough or that they were not invited to participate. A couple of subdivision association boards were particularly out of joint, saying they had not been consulted. Where were these people the past three years?!?!? There were ads in the newspaper, stories in the paper, notices posted on bulletin boards in all sorts of places, and plenty of internet buzz. They were begging people to work on this thing. It amazed me that anybody thought this whole plan was somehow being sprung on them out of the clear blue sky.
And of course there were a few off the wall sorts. It wouldn't be Puna without that. One guy said that the CDP would turn Puna into another Cuba. And then there was the guy who casually gave his name and then proceeded to suggest some things that would delay, dilute, and otherwise thwart the Plan. Turns out he was the CEO of Shipman, but he didn't say so. The guy sitting next to me told me who he was, and I had to wonder how many other people there did or didn't know where HE was coming from. Some women actually hissed when he stepped away.
And so it went. Now we get to see what the Councilwoman does with all this input. I'm sorry to say I'm not optimistic.
Cheerful, but cynical for the moment,
Jerry
quote:
Originally posted by JerryCarr
That was me in the Texas Longhorns cap, Damon. I should have identified myself, I suppose....
Nah... you shouldn't have.... It was in the middle of the meeting and I'm glad you were able to absorb as much as you did.
I could have also said I was Damon... but I felt kind of stupid asking if you were Jon... so I just turned around and felt like a [:o)]
It is nice though to place a face with a name now though.... Even though I'm not a "longhorn" fan [  ][  ][^]
P.S. I mentioned to the lady next to me by the door, that Bill Walters was a shipman rep.... she's the one who blurted out after his testimony.... "Aren't you from Shipman"... Saved me from having to point out his slanted testimony[8D]
-------
Rally For the Plan
Posts: 968
Threads: 74
Joined: Aug 2007
When I consider all the time and energy that the citizens of Puna put into the PCDP I have to ask, is Emily Naeole our representative, or is she a loose canon that is working against the people of Puna?
Posts: 8,489
Threads: 1,033
Joined: May 2003
The "best case scenario" for passing the PCDP from Larry Brown of the Planning Department involves everything going smoothly and quickly to pass the plan by December 1. Every step on that path provides opportunity for more amendments and proposals.
What is a bit sickening is those such as Councilwoman Emily Naeole and Bill Walter of Shipman who insist the the amendments must precede passage depend on a process which essentially eliminates the community's ability to thoroughly understand or appreciate the impacts of each amendment. Too many amendments, not enough time and not enough community process. So now the process is in the hands of the “professionals”. I wish that gave me hope.
Larry Brown explained to me that the most recent amendment proposals - eighteen in number - are there to "improve" the earlier proposals. County speak I guess to address the fact that some of them are rather poorly worded. So the repairs are being repaired now. This will, we are assured by our councilwoman, produce a "clean plan".
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
Posts: 1,168
Threads: 39
Joined: Jun 2005
I caught the last 45 minutes of last night's gathering so I only have part of the picture.
Whatever Emily's true intentions are, the perception seems to be that she is not representing our district in good faith, not to mention disrespecting all the hard work that went into the plan. We all know that perception is everything, especially if a politician hopes to be (re)elected. I did not participate in the planning, but I know that nothing is more demoralizing than asking for someone's input then ignoring it.
Rob made the point in another post that people resist change. As someone who works in the field of "introducing change" I have a slightly different take: people don't resist change as much as they resist change being FORCED on them. When you educate and guide people to be part of the change process (as Rob has done with the FoPf and the planning committee, etc) then change becomes a GOOD thing because they OWN it. Then folks get excited and enthusiastic about making the changes happen. My point is that even if the proposed amendments are the best ideas in the world, it won't change the perception that change is being forced. If the plan is scrapped, well, then that is being "forced" as well.
That said, I have some constructive criticism for a few of the folks who spoke in support of "pass it now, amend it later": a little less emotion would have helped make the testimony more credible. Still, I appreciate the passion!
I'm trying to keep an open mind, but...if elections were held today, Emily would NOT get my vote.
Tim
Tim
A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions--Confucius
Posts: 6
Threads: 1
Joined: Jul 2008
The folks from Hawai'ian Shores and Hawai'ian Beaches seemed to have put up the biggest fuss. They also admitted they had not seen the plan prior to Thursday. This is understandable but If they had read the complete plan they would have understood that the circles in their neighborhood were only suggested locations for community centers. The exact locations are to be determined at a later time if and when the community wishes to do so. The communities will be able to determine, with local public input and consensus, their exact locations, zoning designations and permitted uses. This is also known as local control. This is a much preferred alternative to Hilo or W. H. Shipman (Bill Walters) control. A lot of people need to be educated about the plan. Hope to see everyone at the rally on Wednesday morning!
Jeff Delaney
Posts: 773
Threads: 83
Joined: Dec 2005
quote:
Originally posted by jjd
The folks from Hawai'ian Shores and Hawai'ian Beaches seemed to have put up the biggest fuss. They also admitted they had not seen the plan prior to Thursday. This is understandable but If they had read the complete plan they would have understood that the circles in their neighborhood were only suggested locations for community centers. The exact locations are to be determined at a later time if and when the community wishes to do so. The communities will be able to determine, with local public input and consensus, their exact locations, zoning designations and permitted uses. This is also known as local control. This is a much preferred alternative to Hilo or W. H. Shipman (Bill Walters) control. A lot of people need to be educated about the plan. Hope to see everyone at the rally on Wednesday morning!
Jeff Delaney
Jeff how was Hawaiian Beaches represented? Since we don't have an organization nor CC&R who spoke for us as a whole?
We are just a County subdivision and not a development.
"Many dreams come true and some have silver linings, I look for my dreams and a pocket full of gold" Led Zeppelin
If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it cost when it’s free...now here come the taxes.....
Posts: 8,489
Threads: 1,033
Joined: May 2003
Scott,
You should really ask that question of Hawai'ian Shores and Hawai'ian Beaches. It was not the obligation of the people volunteering in the PCDP to map the geographic origins of each participant. It was the obligation of the CoH to extend the opportunity to everyone in the district - that was done. I think it likely that some number from your subdivision was or were involved.
There are lists of participants available online somewhere. I can assure you that Hawai'ian Shores and Hawai'ian Beaches had equal opportunity to get involved and, remember this, that opportunity has not ended. It still exists.
Anything as encompassing as a CDP is an ongoing process. Those who participated last year will likely be replaced by those who participate next year and next decade.
I am pleased that the level of news and stress on the PCDP has brought forth new faces bright with concern and interest. Will they remain and participate or will they retire to their TVs and only come forth to complain again later?
Will the PCDP pass and continue to generate community involvement or will it fail and the citizenry become cynical and apathetic?
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
Posts: 218
Threads: 10
Joined: Dec 2005
Rob -
I'm sorry, but you have slightly mis-read Scott's question.
jjd was referring to the speakers at last night's meeting (I was there) who complained that they were not "consulted" prior to the issuance of the Draft PCDP. What Scott wanted to know was "who could presume to speak/complain on behalf of Hawaiian Beaches, since it does not have a community association".
jjd just "mis-remembered" the association of one of the "complainers".
Posts: 859
Threads: 10
Joined: May 2008
quote:
Originally posted by Damon
quote:
Originally posted by Jon
I plan to be there just to listen and learn....
Transplanted Texan
Dang nabbit... someone was wearing a Texas Longhorn Baseball hat and I walked right up to him and tapped him on the shoulder and said....
"Jon"?
He turned around and said...sorry...not me!
[:o)][:o)][:o)]
Well, the plans did not work out as well as I had wished, I did not make it.
Just so you don't make the mistake again though, I do not own or wear anything that would say I am a Texan... right now the big clue would be the Texas tags on the Jeep.
Transplanted Texan
-----------------------------------------------------------
I do not believe that America is better than everybody else...
America "IS" everybody else.
The Wilder Side Of Hawaii
|
