Subscribe via RSSDebbie HechtTo improve our quality of life through information, advocacy and legislationTWO Proposed charter amendment on the ballot November 6th: Regarding Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources for your YES! Voteby Debbie Hecht_To Contact Debbie Hecht: hecht.deb@gmail.comor (808) 989-3222A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. —Margaret MeadNovember 6th Ballot- please vote YES!TWO charter amendments for Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources  HERE’S THE EXACT LANGUAGE THAT WILL APPEAR ON THE BALLOT: BALLOT QUESTION#2.      Hawai‘i: Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation FundShall the Hawai‘i County Charter’s provisions relating to the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund be amended to:Raise the minimum required contribution into the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural resources Preservation Fund from a minimum of one percent (1%) of real property tax revenue (including penalty and interest) to two percent (2%) of real property tax revenue (including penalty and interest);Require a restrictive covenant be placed in the deed transferring the acquired land or easement as follows: “This (land/easement) was acquired with moneys from the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund. It shall be held in perpetuity for the use and enjoyment of the people of Hawai‘i County and may not be sold, mortgaged, traded or transferred in any way.”; andMake clear that the funds may only be used to purchase land or easements, and not for any other purpose?□ YES□ NO BALLOT QUESTION #3.      Hawai‘i: Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Maintenance FundShall the Hawai‘i County Charter be amended by creating a Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Maintenance Fund, which would:•        Require that one-quarter of one percent (.25%) of real property tax revenue (including penalty and interest) be deposited into this fund for the maintenance and preservation of lands acquired using the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund;
•        Set a $3,000,000 cap on the accrual of deposits into this fund from real property tax revenue (including penalty and interest);
•        Prohibit the use of the fund for planning, design, development, or construction of new buildings, roads, and facilities; and
•        Create a stewardship grant program to allow the County Council to provide grant money from this fund to nonprofit organizations to maintain and preserve these lands?
□ YES
□ NO
_______________________________________________________
EXPLANATION:
On the BALLOT -QUESTION #2- Hawai‘i: Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund
What does this do?  
1-Raises the amount to 2% of our property taxes that will be deposited each year in the fund (as was set forth in the petitions and approved by voter