Aloha Friends and Voters,
I appreciate the trust you have placed in me these past 3.5 years. I was an advocate for the community for 10 years before I was elected to office, serving with the American Red Cross (Disaster Action Team), Neighborhood Watch (Coordinator), Kona Orchid Society (former Director and Secretary), personally went to the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse an illegal redistricting plan (case not heard), worked collaboratively to design the La'aloa Street Extension, and testified many times before the Planning Commission and the County Council - all before I was elected.
Most of us want to stop the backdoor dealings in government, but there are powerful forces trying to unseat me as a Council Member and continue the Hilo-centric power structure. My opponent has no experience with County issues, and I have never seen my opponent testify before the Council on any issue in the almost four years that I have served. He stated that he will “cooperate” with the Hilo council members, which has been proven in the past to be to our disadvantage. Being civil and respectful is appropriate, and I continue to act in a civil and respectful manner despite the frequent attacks on me personally. However, if “cooperation” means rubber-stamping the Administration or the Hilo-centric majority's continuing view that West Hawai'i should send as many tax dollars to Hilo as possible and then keep quiet, it won't work!
As you undoubtedly know, I am fiscally conservative which is why I voted against the Mayor's budget and the real property tax increase that was so discriminatory against West Hawai'i, farmers, owners of rental property, and the renters themselves. We needed to cut the budget, not raise taxes. I've received many calls from around the island from distraught taxpayers since they received their tax bills and saw the increases in this difficult economic time.
I have been told that my opponent has copied my campaign platform rather than be completely truthful about his real motivations for running against me in District 7. My platform is simple - I work for the people of District 7 to fix and improve the infrastructure (roads, a new fire station in Keauhou, non-salty drinking water, etc.), protect the environment, get more police officers in Kona and a new Captain Cook police station to reduce crime, reduce the drug problem, get drunk drivers to stop driving under the influence of alcohol and killing or maiming our people, promote open and transparent government, require concurrency of infrastructure in development, and increase jobs. If those issues label me as "liberal", so be it. That's what District 7 wants, and I will support it.
District 7 is a complex district of various people, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, social and economic mixes, and many great religious groups. I absolutely believe in the U.S. Constitution that there is a "separation of church and state" and equality for everyone. I treat everyone equally and do not favor any group no matter what the basis of the "group" is.
Walk-in voting started on September 3rd at the Office of Elections at the intersection of Kuakini Highway and Hualalai Street. For District 7, the election is going to be decided in the Primary on Saturday, September 18th. Be sure to vote and ask your friends and neighbors to vote. District 7 is on the back of the ballot, so please turn the ballot over and vote for District 7.
My radio ads begin this week, and my sign waving continues. Please forward this email to your friends. We all deserve to have good, honest, open government. That is what I will support. I respectfully ask for your vote.
Mahalo for your support.
Brenda Ford
p.s. A list of some of my accomplishments follows
BRENDA'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS
TAX AND BUDGET: Addressed major issues, such as:
• Voted against a property tax increase.
• Supported 3% cap on property tax increases.
• Supported furloughs rather than layoffs for County employees.
• Voted against a 22% salary increase for Council members.
SAFETY: Addressed major issues, such as:
• Initiated legislation for a Captain Cook Police station for better police protection.
• Opposed building in flood-prone areas.
• Supported safer road improvements such as the repairs at Napoopoo junction.
• Supported upgrading the flood plain code.
HEALTH AND WELFARE: Addressed major issues, such as:
• Supported opening Mamalahoa bypass road both ways for 12 hours per day.
• Supported banning GMO taro and coffee on our island.
• Provided contingency funds toward West Hawai'i Community Health Center- Keiki Clinic.
• Provided contingency funds toward mobile dental services.
• Provided contingency funds to improve West Hawai'i Veterans Cemetery (12 flag poles).
• Worked with a coalition and the West Hawai'i Community Health Center to bring the Ohio 178th Air National Guard Medical Group to provide free medical and dental services.
OPEN AND BETTER GOVERNMENT: Addressed many issues, such as:
• Supported strengthening ethics codes.
• Introduced vote by mail resolution to the State.
• Initiated multiple Charter amendments to go before the voters.
• Initiated Charter amendment for funding the office of the independent auditor.
• Supported a separate Planning Commission for West Hawaii.
• Support Open and Transparent Government.
BRENDA’S GOALS FOR UPCOMING COUNCIL TERM
ROADS:
• Continue to upgrade road conditions and add roadways where needed.
• Reduce traffic congestion by completing La’aloa Street Extension, Lako Street Extension, and creating more interconnecting roads.
• Finish the Mamalahoa Highway Bypass road.
• Add synchronized traffic signal lights to Ali’i Drive to improve traffic flow.
POLICE SERVICES:
• Build the South Kona Police Station in Captain Cook. The land is already purchased and the design and engineering process is underway.
• Supported remodeling of the substation to add a kitchen and improved barracks.
• Support a 24/7 staffing of the Captain Cook Police Station with officers and administrators.
• Support more officers on duty on all shifts.
• Support Neighborhood Watch to aid the police.
TRANSPORTATION:
• More bus routes in West Hawai’i.
• Support federal funds for buses using alternative fuel sources (hydrogen, anhydrous ammonia, etc.).
FIRE SERVICES:
• Support building a new fire station in Keauhou.
• Get more equipment and add appropriate emergency vehicles to all stations including the volunteer stations.
CONCURRENCY:
• Expand concurrency to include parks, fire stations, police stations, etc.
• Require infrastructure to be in place before subdivisions are finished.
• Reduce burden on taxpayers subsidizing development’s infrastructure.
KONA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN:
• Enforce the Kona Community Development Plan in all County planning decisions. This assures that future development is in compliance with the intent of the majority of Kona citizens.
IMPACT FEES:
• Support impact fees to fund new infrastructure
• Stop illegal “fair share” fees
PARKS & RECREATION:
• Create more bike and walking paths.
• Add more parks to West Hawaii.
• Support Ali’i Drive as a Scenic Byway with more access to shoreline.
AGRICULTURE:
• Support Kona Community Development Plan to protect agricultural lands.
• Support efforts toward 100% Kona coffee branding.
• Support Country Of Origin Labeling (“COOL”).
• Support Truth-in-Labeling for agricultural products.
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