Island Breath: Kauai Election 2004

SUBJECT: KAUAI VOTER'S GUIDE

Kauai League of Women Voters define issue

SOURCE: CAROL BAIN

KLWV@kauai.net 23 October 2004 - 8:30am

An historic poster of the League of Women Voters

Aloha all Kauai League members, 2004 candidates & voters:

Two timely items below - please read:

#1. Kauai County LWV Voter Guide
inserted into 28,500 mailboxes (Kauai Island Weekly) on 22 October
Don't throw it away...check for the insert inside the weekly (Taro Fest on cover) and keep for review before voting. Share with others. Also, we have 500 extra copies...please call me to help distribute to libraries, other locations. Call reply to this email to arrange delivery or pickup of extra copies.

#2. TV Forum: "Ethics in Politics" - Channel 52
The Kauai League of Women Voters presents: "Ethics in Politics" an open forum on this important topic delivered by Joshua Cooper, League member and executive director of the Hawaii Institute for Human Rights. Also featuring Ira Rohter, Chair of HI Clean Elections, political science professor from UH Manoa. During the 80-minute program, all political candidates present at this open forum on Sept. 10, 2004, were given the opportunity to address the audience. Learn more about the topic of Ethics in Politics- Watch Ch. 52 Hoike PEG access TV at the following dates/times:

Friday, October 29 at 5pm
Saturday, October 30 at 2 p.m. and 9pm
Sunday, October 31 at 2 p.m. and 9pm

Joshua Cooper is the executive director of the Hawaii Institute forHuman Rights. He also is a lecturer at the International TrainingCenter for Teaching Peace and Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland aswell as University of Hawaii West Oahu, Leeward Community College andMaui Community College in fields of political science, peace studies, journalism and international human rights.

Cooper is involved in politics from the grassroots to global level. He is an Ambassador with Project Vote Smart, a coordinator with Rock the Vote and also the co-chair of the Indigenous Peoples Task Force with Amnesty International.

Cooper is also part of the organizing committe concerning the Asian Development Bank and a trainer for the Ruckus Society. Cooper is senior advisor to the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization headquartered in the Hague.

The TV program was produced by Kauai Worldwide Communications, Inc. for the Kauai County LWV chapter as a voter eduction project.

SUBJECT: PROPERTY TAX REFORM

Kauai League of Women Voters define issue

SOURCE: CAROL BAIN

KLWV@kauai.net 14 October 2004 - 9:30am

Upcoming TV program offered by the League of Women Voters of Kauai County:
2004 Charter Amendment – Ohana Kauai

a 1 hour program on the Kauai County Charter amendment question that will appear on our Nov. 2 ballots. Watch Ho`ike Ch. 52 on the following dates & times:

* Friday, October 15 at 9:30pm
* Saturday, October 16 at 1:30pm. and 7:30pm
* Sunday, October 17 at 1:30pm and 7:30pm

The program beings with a complete reading of the ballot question by League member Barbara Robeson. Robeson then introduces two guests: Walter Lewis, a member of the Ohana Kaua`i group which is sponsoring the amendment, and Eric Knutzen, who coordinated meetings of the Kauai County Tax Task Force.

For the edification of all League members and Voters, here is the exact text of the single question that will appear on the Nov. 2 ballot:

AMENDMENT TO THE KAUAI COUNTY CHARTER QUESTION #1:
RELATING TO RESIDENT PROPERTY TAX CHARTER QUESTION
Shall the Kaua'i County Charter be amended by the addition of a new Article XXXI to read:

ARTICLE XXXI.RESIDENT PROPERTY TAXES.
Section 31.01. Resident Property Taxes.
It is the policy of the County that resident taxpayers should be equitably protected when there are significantly rising real estate values and government costs. Therefore, for County residents who have owned and occupied their place of residence beginning in or before the fiscal year 1998-1999, then for the next fiscal year after the adoption of this section real property taxes with respect to such residence shall not exceed the amount of such tax assessed for the 1998-1999 fiscal year. For County residents acquiring their place of residence after the fiscal year 1998-1999 their real property taxes with respect to such residence for the next fiscal year after the adoption of this section shall not exceed the amount of tax assessed for the fiscal year the ownership and residence commences. For all such taxpayers in no fiscal year after the year in which the tax was restored to the amount in 1998-1999 or the year of acquisition, whichever is applicable, shall the percentage increase in real property tax with respect to such residence exceed the lesser of the percentage rate applicable at the commencement of such fiscal year for cost of living adjustments in retirement benefits by the Social Security Administration, or two percent (2%). Promptly following its adoption the County shall notify in writing all owners of residential property in its property tax records of the principal terms of this section. The County shall adopt such ordinances, laws, rules and regulations as are necessary to carry out and are consistent with the purpose of the foregoing policy and the terms of this section.

MEANING OF "YES" VOTE
A "yes" vote means you support the amendment to the Kaua'i County Charter.

MEANING OF "NO"VOTE
A "no" vote means you do not support the amendment to the Kaua'i County Charter.

MEANING OF BLANK VOTE
A "Blank" vote - a ballot that is not marked either "Yes" or "No"
- it is not counted as a "Yes" vote or a "No" vote.

Aloha LWV members onand all interested in our political future -

Here is a list of forums/event coming up:

1. The Garden Island newspaper is holding an Election 2004 Candidates Forum
Tuesday, October 5 from 6 - 9 p.m. at the Kauai Veterans Center (on Kapule Highway near Lihue Airport)

2. The Associated Students of Kauai Community College is presenting 2 forums:
a. County Council Candidates - Wednesday, Oct. 13 from 11 a.m. at the KCC Cafeteria
b. State Legislature Candidates - Thursday, Oct. 14 from 11 a.m. at the KCC Cafeteria
For information contact: ASKCC Office: 245-8338

3. AARP is holding a Candidate Forum for District 7 State Senate Race Wed. Oct. 20, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Aloha Beach Resort, Plumeria Garden Court. Seating is limited. Reservation not required. ( I assume AARP members get seats first-- they are getting old like me)

4. Kauai League of Women Voters is coordinating a printed 2004 Voter Guide that will be published Friday, Oct. 22 as an insert to the Kaua`i Island News (weekly publication by Honolulu Advertiser) and will go into 28,500 mailboxes on Kauai.

Two LWV video forums, one on the Kaua`i County Charter amendment and another on Ethics in Politics, will be on Ch. 52 toward the end of the month. Will announce the dates and times when confirmed. To find out about State and U.S. candidates on line, go to Democracy Net http://Dnet.orgEncourage all to VOTE - Tuesday Nov. 2
Last Day to Register is Monday, Oct. 4. Call County Clerk: 241-6350 for information.