Video by David Corrigan
Last week, we filmed the reaction of Hamakua Councilman Dominic Yagong to the mayor’s proposed budget. The council chair said he is “deeply concerned” that the budget defers too much to an uncertain economic future.
Yagong and his staff have gone over the budget carefully, and presented their detailed findings at a press conference held on Friday in Hilo.
Yagong said it might be worth taking another look at the remaining unfunded vacant positions. The mayor has already cut about 100 unfunded vacant positions from the budget.
Yagong is also asking the public to consider the two day a month county furloughs, which the mayor plans to restore in his proposed 2011-2012 budget.
Yagong is also casting an eye on the police and fire departments, who have not been furloughed, and instead recieved pay raises – as approved four years ago.
There is a special public hearing on the budget scheduled for tonight. Because of an OIP interpretation of the sunshine law, the ad hoc committee on the budget, which includes Yagong, will not be allowed to be present at the hearing.
Mr. Yagong, I can only assume your “staff”, share your opinions and views on how our County should be operated, otherwise they wouldn’t be working for you. How about getting opinions and recommendations from the other side of the “political aisle”? Want to save some money? Here’s some ideas: 1. Get rid of the “perks” for all Division Chiefs” who take home county vehicles, one of them lives in your neck of the woods. The only individuals who should be authorized to take home county vehicles are those employees who are on “call” for emergencies, such as civil defense or the sign crew. 2. Get rid of police subsidies for fuel and other car allowances, go to a county maintained fleet, this creates jobs for our Automotive Division. 3. How about you guys sharing in the “pain”, take a pay cut like the rest of the hard working county employees and furlough yourselves, set the example.
One final note, it would be wonderful if I could vote for each and every council member! and not for only the one who is destined to represent my district. You see, decisions made by other council members, whether by lobbying amongst yourselves, or by a vote by the citizens, directly affects me and I have no voice in the matter.
Eugene-
Opinions from the opposite side?
Is this the same side (with the two rookie council members of 08-10) who violated the Sunshine Law (which cost the tax payer $47k in attorney fees not including court costs), were responsible for a coup that dismissed Dominic and Brenda (two of our most hard working elected officials) from key committees, that “the other side” formed an ad-hoc committee to address the budget and came up with zero recommendations for slashing expenses from a $300 million dollar plus budget and than rubber stamped the budget with no checks and balances to protect the tax payer.
Is this the other side you are talking about?
The “other side” that has not been showing up for council meetings in Kona even though the West Side council members has been diligent about showing up in Hilo for council meetings.
A little taste of their own medicine and it’s not going over very well.
The rest of your recommendations sound fiscally responsible and feasible. Very good.
And on a last note, Dominic suggested a pay cut for council members in “09 that the “other side” voted against.
Just want to be be accurate for the record.