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North Hawaii legislative priorities on agenda (Jan. 12)

MEDIA RELEASE

What are your “hot buttons” for the 2012 Legislature?

* Job creation and taxes?

* Sky high electric bills – why isn’t PUC mandating increased use of geothermal?

* Equitable funding for public charter schools?

* Physician recruitment and retention?

* Medical insurance costs and availability?

* Agricultural water resource funding?

* Coqui control?

* Fish farming?

* Pay down OHA debt?

* Kawaihae Harbor Improvements including Small Boat Harbor completion?

Waimea Community Association’s Town Meeting at 5:15 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 12 in Waimea School Cafeteria will ask attendees to rank these and other issues to help guide legislative activities our the district’s elected public policy makers – Sen. Malama Solomon and Rep. Cindy Evans during the 2012 State Legislature.

“With the 2012 Legislature starting Jan. 18, it’s an ideal time to talk about community priorities and for legislators to get first-hand feedback as to what’s concerning constituents,” said WCA President Sherman Warner.

“We are hearing many are reeling over recently received HELCO bills that reflect a huge increases. We also are hearing widespread concern over the lack of funding and attention being given to coqui frog and axis deer control,” he said.

Some of the “hot buttons” are long-standing concerns, including employment, mortgage relief, taxes, highways and other transportation concerns, especially with inter-island air costs continuing to soar, he said.

This will be a third year that WCA is asking attendees at its January meeting to vote for their top legislative priorities.

As always, everyone is welcome to attend WCA Town Meetings and there are no longer membership dues. Instead, voluntary donations are encouraged to support WCA’s activities including the community website.

Also on the agenda will be the election of WCA two-year officer positions of President and Vice President. Nominees include Sherman Warner for President for a second two-year term, and Patti Cook for Vice President.

As always, all who attend WCA monthly Town Meetings are asked to help continue the association’s commitment to help Waimea’s food pantries by bringing a donation – preferably cash or a check – or non-perishable food items.

Cash or checks are given to the Waimea pantries to purchase foods or gift certificates from Waimea grocery stores and farmers markets so that recipients are able to buy fresh items such as vegetables, fruit and milk as well as other essentials. Checks may be payable directly to a food pantry so the donation is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

WCA’s monthly collection drive resulted in the organization contributing more than $3,000 to Annunciation Catholic Church’s Food Pantry for 2011.

“We sincerely thank all who contributed last year because the need for food help has increased dramatically over the past year,” said Elaine Warner who coordinates WCA’s support for the food pantry.

As always, Starbucks-Waimea will again contribute hot coffee to the meeting, and WCA officers urge those enjoying it to express their gratitude by making a donation on the spot to the food pantry collection drive.

For information, call WCA President Sherman Warner (885-1725) or visit www.WaimeaTown.org

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