Richard Ha writes:
Humans are very well-adapted to low levels of hydrogen sulfide. The bacteria that generate hydrogen sulfide live in the human gut. And our volcano generates tons of sulfur dioxide every day. It's rising electricity rates that are causing real damage to our people.
Here's an email from those wanting to uphold Mayor Kenoi's veto of Bill 256. Please come down to the County Council chambers, at the County Building (map of 25 Aupuni St., Hilo here), this Wednesday (August 1, 2012) at 8 a.m. Even if you can only stay for a short time, please come and show your support.
I support these folks that live in the vicinity of the geothermal plant. Here's their email:
It has been a busy time for all of us in preparation of the final push to up-hold the Mayor’s Veto of Bill 256. This is where we really need your help.
1. For your information: We had a very good meeting and turn-out on Tuesday night at the Leilani Community Center: http://hahaha.hamakuasprings.com/2012/07/very-successful-meeting-on-geothermal-facts.html.
2. The county council meeting to override the mayoral veto is scheduled for Wednesday, August 1, 2012. This is where we need as much help as possible.
You can submit written testimony by e-mail up until the day prior to the meeting (it has to be received by Tuesday noon, July 31). Please submit your email testimony to counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
To submit written testimony by e-mail, you can also e-mail each council member individually:
Dominic Yagong - dyagong@co.hawaii.hi.us
Donald Ikeda – dikeda@co.hawaii.hi.us
J Yoshimoto – jyoshimoto@co.hawaii.hi.us
Dennis “Fresh” Onishi – donishi@co.hawaii.hi.us
Fred Blas – fblas@co.hawaii.hi.us
Brittany Smart – bsmart@co.hawaii.hi.us
Brenda Ford – bford@co.hawaii.hi.us
Angel Pilago – apilago@co.hawaii.hi.us
Pete Hoffmann – phoffmann@co.hawaii.hi.us
But what we really would like is for as many people as possible to come to the county council meeting in Hilo on August 1, to testify in person and to show our strength in numbers. The council needs to see that we are not just a silent small group, but that there are many of us. It makes a difference, even if you are able to come for an hour.
When you come to the council meeting, you can read the testimony you submitted by email. If you have not emailed the testimony, they ask that you bring 14 copies of it and give it to the clerk that day.
The council meeting starts at 8am. Please be early, so we can have good seats and testify early.
When you come to the council meeting room, check in with us at the VETO SUPPORTERS & LEILANI ESTATES signs – look for signs.
Contents of your testimony – some suggestions:
The Mayor asked that we get employees and nearby residents to come out and support his veto, with the primary emphasis that there are no health issues that exist, and that the plant has been operating safely, hence no reason for a buffer zone. While we hope the veto will not be overridden, there is still a need for publicizing the fact that long time residents are opposed to the bill for these reasons, and the fact that this is an issue which has been unnecessarily politicized.
As for what to say, we are not going to write this out, since everyone's experience is different, but this would be along the lines of their positions on certain issues such as
1. Where their residence is.
2. How long they have lived there.
3. The fact that they have not had health problems they attribute to the plant, and there is no scientific or medical information which supports the creation of a one mile buffer.
4. That creating a health and safety buffer radius of one mile is unjustified, and creates issues for people who have chosen to live and work in this radius, including concerns about property values.
5. That this bill will create additional cost for the county in many areas.
6. That health studies and monitors can be purchased with Asset Fund money without taking from community benefits, under the code and rules which already existed, before Bill 256 and 257.
7. That until these hearings were held and the manner in which they were held, people did not complain about PGV, and politics and misinformation has created an unwarranted concern.
These are just suggested issues or concerns the vetoed bills raise, and others may have more to say or add.
3. Please, share this information and request for support with all your friends and people in your networks.
See you there!
Much Aloha and Mahalo Nui Loa,
Petra, Jan & Loren
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