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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
 Posted - 01/23/2008 : 01:24:20 AM
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From today's Star-Bulletin. Should the state become involved such as this? What, then, is the mission of OHA? One of the big draws of the north shore area is that there is little "touristy" development. Good that plans to further develop that would be halted, but who would control what the state pplans to do with the land?
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Lingle wants state to buy Turtle Bay
The governor says the area surrounding the North Shore resort should be preserved
Richard Borreca
rborreca @ starbulletin.com
Gov. Linda Lingle used her sixth annual State of State speech to pledge that the state will take control of the 850-acre Turtle Bay resort on Oahu’s North Shore.
Lingle, speaking this morning in the packed state House chambers of the state Capitol and on live, statewide television, radio and Internet broadcasts, said she would act to “preserve a lifestyle” and also “create an opportunity for the community to shape a vision for this part of the North Shore.”
Lingle said the existing hotel and resort facility should, in some form, remain, but the rest of the area should be preserved.
The area has city zoning for increased resort use, but citizens protests are making the issue of increased development, upwards of 3,000 more hotel units, controversial.
“I propose that the Legislature, my administration and community leaders form a working group to explore options and develop an action plan to make sure that this property stays in public lands,” Lingle said.
In her speech, Lingle said that there were many ways to finance taking over from the Kuilima Resort Co. property.
“These include selling off the resort portion of the property to pay down the debt, exchanging other state lands, creatively using tax credits spread out over time, a tax check-off on our income tax returns, private grants, allocating Legacy Lands funds, federal conservation dollars and a worldwide Internet fundraising campaign to ‘Save Hawaii’s North Shore,’” Lingle said.
At the beginning of her speech, Lingle, a popular Republican governor in a strong Democratic state, said she has been repeatedly asked what she will do when she concludes her second and final gubernatorial term in 2010.
Lingle cryptically said only that she has enough to do now.
“My fellow citizens, I have no other ambition than achieving these goals,” Lingle said.
In her speech, Lingle said the state has a budget challenged by a $353 million shortfall, compared with past estimates.
Lingle said that the Legislature would have to join her administration in taking responsibility for containing the state’s $10.5 billion budget.
“We have some tough changes to make together in the weeks and months ahead, and I look forward to collaborating with you on reaching the best decisions,” Lingle said.
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Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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ypochris
Lokahi
USA
398 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2008 : 5:33:55 PM
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Ten and a half billion dollars.
One and a quarter million people.
$8,400 per person, or $33,600 per family of four.
Our state government spends/wastes far, far too much money. What are we getting for our money? Most of it goes to support some of the worst schools in the nation- or more honestly to support a massive number of bureaucrats with no known function who suck up all the money that is supposed to go to our kids. State workers all driving new cars while taxpayers drive beaters if they have a car to drive at all. Roads that cost more than anywhere else in the country. Neglected state parks and abused public lands. One government worker for every two taxpayers, sitting on their butts supported by our work and unwilling to help us because it is more work for them- acting like they have power over us when we employ them.
Wish I could fire them all! Every useful service is provided by the county anyway. Just give me my share of the money and I'll put my kids in a real school; you all go home and get a useful job.
I know I offended a lot of people here that work for the state, but trust me, most people feel exactly the same way when they have to pay for it! $33,600 per family is a lot of money to those who have to earn it doing real work, and then give it to you to waste. I could pay for a house for my kids with that money...
Chris
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