Susan:
The reason Speaker Say suggested that you get support from the Counties is because it is highly unlikely that the Legislature would agree to pass a law creating a political subdivision for West Hawaii without a grassroots effort that supports this idea. You will have to demonstrate to the entire legislative body and the Governor that the entire Big Island wants it.
I wrote and introduced a bill two years ago to amend the constitution to move the authority of creation of political subdivisions from the state legislature and give it to the counties because I felt that this decision was closer to the people. The community could then get immersed in the details of creating another government and the costs associated with creating the adminstration necessary to deliver government services, such as, police, fire, planning department, public works department, senior programs, parks and recreation, etc., and how taxes would be affected by such a change. There was little support for the idea. I could not get legislators from other counties interested in this issue.
The timing does not seem right yet, but I do believe the time will come when we will create more policital subdivision so local communities can be empowered to create their vision and their future.
I do not want to discourage you. You need to build support for this one person at a time.
Sincerely yours,
Rep. Cindy Evans
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