It occurs to me from having attended the last session of the Human Services Committee meeting for the County of Hawaii the same frustrating issue exists for some County Council members as exists for some Boards of Directors! They show up, they sort of participate, but they do not do their research and do not come prepared to participate with full and committed representation of their constituency!
On Tuesday, October 6th, 8 of 9 council members were present to discuss what may become an historic document setting precedent for the way State and Federal Health Departments may be required to change. It was Resolution 237-09. It was a resolution requesting State and Federal Health Departments honor 'exemptions' to any 'mandated' immunization for the H1N1. The Resolution was prepared by Councilwoman Naeole's office. Her staff managed to make all the right phone calls, do all the right research, produce a resolution with all the right content and hit the issue facing American's straight on the nail, Freedom to choose what they want to do!
Yet, during the discussion, most of which seemed to be positive support for the resolution, two council members, Councilman Enriques and Councilwoman Ford, felt they did not have sufficient data to make an informed decision lacking the testimony of anyone from the opposing side. Councilwoman Ford asked Councilwoman Naeole's staff if they'd invited anyone with an opposing view to testify. The answer was: 'No. The opposing views are represented in the laws quoted in the resolution.' An offer was made to try and locate someone from the opposing side to testify at the next meeting. The recommendation was made to postpone the vote, in fact there was a motion to postpone the vote which failed. During discussion of the motion, Councilman Yagong made it clear that voting in support of the resolution in committee does not make it final but to delay may impact some 'sensitive time line'.
My question through this series of back and forth between Ford and others was 'why did you not do your own research before you showed up at the meeting?' Why would anyone representing the people of their district EVER be left to decide the merit of any vote based on evidence presented at the time of discussion? Would you not inform yourself and go prepared to listen and inquire? Thank goodness Councilman Greenwell had the clear thinking ability to bring everyone back to the point of the discussion: 'The resolution is to ask for exemption' not to discuss the ingredients in the vaccine, not to address potential health risks related to the vaccine, but only to request the right to choose or to be exempt.' That clarifying moment swayed Enriques who admittedly remarked with gratitude to Greenwell that with the point well articulated his concerns were no longer valid.
When the dust settled, Ford was the only one to vote 'NO' on the resolution for exemption from any mandated vaccination against the flu; seasonal or H1N1!
This discussion was lively with community members present to testify. The veracity of the resolution was not given any importance in the coverage of the meeting in the local paper. Time has not elapsed sufficiently to determine if any other non blogger press will choose to run an article which highlights the salient point of the resolution. Currently the blogs are the only place it is being discussed, and not many of them!
Certainly the lack of preparation for meetings is not isolated to this particular instance. Sadly, this one very important issue deserved a full council commitment. Yet, perhaps it is safe to say certain members of our council are indicative of the folks of this fine nation who are just not yet convinced they need to 'fight' for their freedoms and rights before they are obliterated with some contrived 'Crisis' for which specious laws have been passed! Then it will be too late.
When it comes time to vote for council seats again would it not be great if the voting public had done their research and determined who truly represents their interests!
To the Council Members: Please be prepared. Do your research. Make your own inquiries from the opposing view and come to the County Council Session on October 21, 2009 ready to have a valid and constructive discussion of the pros and cons. By then, those of us in support of this monumental resolution will be more than prepared to elicit a YES vote from the Council!
That's my opinion and I am sticking with it!
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