By Tom Burnett
I went at the request of a friend and was going to testify — but when I read the minutes, I realized that the vote was already rigged and that the measure was going to pass. I told both of my friends that and left to run errands. It was clear to me that the whole thing was a sham and I did not care to participate in it.
I have not heard the results of the vote, but I can guess. There was an up vote to reconsider the bill (311). Immediately thereafter, Dennis Onishi moved to approve the measure, it was seconded by Emily Naeole, and a voice vote of the attending members provided a quorum — so the bill passed.
If I am mistaken, I’d certainly like to know. Anyone?
(Tom Burnett lives in Puna.)
November 30th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
It did not pass. I posted my notes on Punaweb in the Puna Politics forum.
November 30th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
…this was also posted on another thread…
Today was certainly one among a very few extraordinary Council meetings I have observed.
It was a special meeting called to reconsider Bill 311.
This was the Council who had contradicted public sentiment on land sale, Reorganization, re-Reorganizaiton, budget, and tax hike.
For their Hana Hou, it was big debt without a detailed plan.
Testimony in opposition came from the usual suspects, and also very articulate opposition was voiced from people who had never been to a Council meeting.
Some Council Rules and some Charter provisions regarding Council proceedings were tested in very serious fashion.
Among the democratic participants was a diversity of people with two things in common: citizenship in this community and a compulsion to instruct their County government to stop the folly at hand.
There were supporters of Bill 311, notably UHH, ILWU, and Isemoto Construction, in addition to folks from Kalapana whose relatively small park project has gotten caught up in this Sumu-size political shoving match.
After J Yoshimoto made the 5th ‘aye’ vote for taking reconsideration of Bill 311 to public hearing, someone commented that the power of balance in the Council had shifted. Maybe it did indeed wobble in a different direction considerably.
November 30th, 2010 at 7:12 pm
http://punaweb.org/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=11605
November 30th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
Tom, the Bill 311 was sent back to the Council for reconsideration on 12/15/10 by the new Council.
It was a 5-4 vote, for: Yagong, Yashimoto, Naeole, Ford and Hoffmann.
Against: Ikeda, Onishi, Enriques and Greenwell.
It was an interesting meeting with about 35 testifying, 26 for rconsideration, and 9 against.
November 30th, 2010 at 7:54 pm
Shocked actually.
And I see Guy still just don’t get it!
November 30th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
Mahalo to Emily and J, better late than never.
November 30th, 2010 at 11:26 pm
[...] 311 is to approve a $56 million bond float pitched by Mayor Billy Kenoi’s administration. Most people, including myself, imagined six council members — J Yoshimoto, Donald Ikeda, Dennis “Fresh” Onishi, Emily Naeole, [...]
December 1st, 2010 at 5:43 am
Wow, money lost one. A rare day indeed.
December 1st, 2010 at 7:48 am
I have never been a fan of Aunty Em, but I must congratulate her on her vote! She did the right thing, all of the county should be surprised and proud..Guy did what he was expected to do and “good riddance” Kelly still doesn’t have a clue!
December 1st, 2010 at 9:34 am
Enriques arrogance right through the end. At least Naeole could save some face.