One of the best things about being a candidate for Mayor is getting to meet so many people from all around the island.
Folks are excited about all the new possibilities. I was at the bank recently and somehow got to speak to six people about the experience I would bring to the Mayor's office and the changes I think we need to move our island forward. The group spent 45 minutes talking about various issues, and then someone asked me about a negative article they saw in the newspaper.
Then I realized something -- unfortunate circumstances can be a blessing. It is only thru difficult times that people can get a glimpse of how I handle issues, and will continue to handle issues if I am elected mayor. I don't try to avoid issues, even though they may be uncomfortable and filled with misinformation and untrue allegations. But I handle those things like I handle everything else -- truthfully, honestly and openly.
If you happen to have a question or concern or there is one issue in particular that you care about, please send me a message at "stacyhiga4mayor@yahoo.com" Give me the chance to respond to you directly and openly.
In the meantime, thank you for visiting. I hope you will give me the chance to earn your vote in November.
Stacy Higa
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Opposed to Gas Tax Increase
Some of you may have read the news about the need for County Council to hold a public meeting to re-authorize the 8.8 cent per gallon county tax on gasoline, which has been in place since 1988.
I have no problem keeping the current 8.8 cents, but I am absolutely opposed to any increase. In fact, I don’t think the County Council should even discuss an increase, as I believe there are other ways to raise the needed money to build and repair roads.
If you oppose an increase to the gasoline tax, then please support my position at the meeting, which is scheduled for 6 p.m. on March 11 in Kona. You can read more about the issue here: http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2008/02/07/local/local02.txt
There are many other ways to fund road repairs. Any increase in the gas tax would hurt the most rural areas of our island most. Communities like Pahala, Ka`u and Ocean View have to truck in gas, and that makes fuel much more expensive.
In general, raising the gas tax is unfair because our citizens have to drive much further than anyone else in the state. People from other islands do not drive as much as we do, or fill up their cars as much as we do, or buy as much fuel as we do. So of course our gasoline tax should be the lowest in the state! We already pay the highest gasoline taxes in the nation, and there is no justification for any increase.
Stacy Higa
I have no problem keeping the current 8.8 cents, but I am absolutely opposed to any increase. In fact, I don’t think the County Council should even discuss an increase, as I believe there are other ways to raise the needed money to build and repair roads.
If you oppose an increase to the gasoline tax, then please support my position at the meeting, which is scheduled for 6 p.m. on March 11 in Kona. You can read more about the issue here: http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2008/02/07/local/local02.txt
There are many other ways to fund road repairs. Any increase in the gas tax would hurt the most rural areas of our island most. Communities like Pahala, Ka`u and Ocean View have to truck in gas, and that makes fuel much more expensive.
In general, raising the gas tax is unfair because our citizens have to drive much further than anyone else in the state. People from other islands do not drive as much as we do, or fill up their cars as much as we do, or buy as much fuel as we do. So of course our gasoline tax should be the lowest in the state! We already pay the highest gasoline taxes in the nation, and there is no justification for any increase.
Stacy Higa
Monday, February 4, 2008
Kung Hee Fat Choy
February 7th marks the beginning of a new Lunar year and the Year of the Rat.
In the Chinese tradition, a "Rat year" is a time of hard effort, productivity and new beginnings -- a great way to start an election year! People born under the Year of the Rat are considered to be clever and bright, sociable and family-minded.
I was born in 1963, which is the "Year of the Rabbit." It is considered to be the luckiest of the 12 animal signs. According to "The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes," the rabbit is a symbol for "mercy and amiability." It says people born under this sign are kind and loving, and are often reserved with a love of arts and a strong sense of justice. I think that describes me. They also say that people born under this sign "understand what life really means." For me, that means family, community and giving back to the next generation.
May your family be blessed with happiness and prosperity during this time of new beginnings.
Stacy Higa
In the Chinese tradition, a "Rat year" is a time of hard effort, productivity and new beginnings -- a great way to start an election year! People born under the Year of the Rat are considered to be clever and bright, sociable and family-minded.
I was born in 1963, which is the "Year of the Rabbit." It is considered to be the luckiest of the 12 animal signs. According to "The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes," the rabbit is a symbol for "mercy and amiability." It says people born under this sign are kind and loving, and are often reserved with a love of arts and a strong sense of justice. I think that describes me. They also say that people born under this sign "understand what life really means." For me, that means family, community and giving back to the next generation.
May your family be blessed with happiness and prosperity during this time of new beginnings.
Stacy Higa
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Malicious E-mail
Because our campaign is a small, grassroots effort, we have been using a free e-mail service to interact with our volunteers. Recently our campaign e-mail was attacked by a malicious piece of spam mailer software that hijacked our address book and sent suspicious messages asking people to join what appears to be a social networking site. I am in no way affiliated with this company, and did not authorize them to use my campaign's name or e-mail addresses. The campaign is looking into the matter, and are taking steps to improve the safety and security of our campaign communications.
If you received one of these messages, please accept my apologies and do not click on any of the links, not even the “unsubscribe” button. You can set your e-mail program to permanently block all mail from tagged.com and taggedmail.com. If you need help doing this, please contact me at stacyhiga4mayor@yahooo.com and a volunteer will assist you.
Stacy Higa
If you received one of these messages, please accept my apologies and do not click on any of the links, not even the “unsubscribe” button. You can set your e-mail program to permanently block all mail from tagged.com and taggedmail.com. If you need help doing this, please contact me at stacyhiga4mayor@yahooo.com and a volunteer will assist you.
Stacy Higa
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Queen Kaahumanu Highway
There has been a lot of coverage in West Hawaii Today about the delays associated with the widening of Queen Kaahumanu highway. I think poor communication has made things worse. If more people knew what was going on –- in other words, better communication from various people just explaining what the delays are -- then people would likely be more understanding. But the lack of communication has caused unnecessary anger and frustration, and that’s not fair to the people of Kona. So, here’s my explanation of what is going on with this project.
The main issue, I think, is a lack of coordinated planning between the County and the State. There was no conversation between the County and the State during the preliminary stages. One example of this is, it was only when the State came in and started to realign the highway that the County realized it needed to go in and upgrade the sewer system for the Kealakehe Waste Water Treatment Plant. The sewer upgrade, as well as the realignment of potable water pipes along the route, has caused the delays.
I understand the frustration caused by the delays and the lack of communication. However, in the long run I think it is better to have the delay now. Imagine what it would be like to go ahead with the project and then have to come back one year later, stop traffic, and re-dig and retrench a newly paved four-lane highway to put in wastewater pipes.
As mayor, I will make sure my administration not only follows up with the State on upcoming projects, but actually takes the initiative to push and prod the State to make sure everything is coordinated, finding out in advance -– before these large projects even begin -– what the related issues are or how the County can better plan to tie in its impending projects into the process.
Stacy Higa
The main issue, I think, is a lack of coordinated planning between the County and the State. There was no conversation between the County and the State during the preliminary stages. One example of this is, it was only when the State came in and started to realign the highway that the County realized it needed to go in and upgrade the sewer system for the Kealakehe Waste Water Treatment Plant. The sewer upgrade, as well as the realignment of potable water pipes along the route, has caused the delays.
I understand the frustration caused by the delays and the lack of communication. However, in the long run I think it is better to have the delay now. Imagine what it would be like to go ahead with the project and then have to come back one year later, stop traffic, and re-dig and retrench a newly paved four-lane highway to put in wastewater pipes.
As mayor, I will make sure my administration not only follows up with the State on upcoming projects, but actually takes the initiative to push and prod the State to make sure everything is coordinated, finding out in advance -– before these large projects even begin -– what the related issues are or how the County can better plan to tie in its impending projects into the process.
Stacy Higa
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Happy New Year
I recently took some time off with my family and friends to reflect on the past year and what the future might hold for our island. Now, more than ever, I think we are at a crossroads. I look at some of the issues before the County Council, and I’m disappointed with some of the direction and expenditures that are taking place. My wish for 2008 is that more people will take a hard look at the issues, and ask themselves if they like what’s happening at the Council level, at the Mayoral level, and what we can do to shape things at a local level.
As Council representative, I am also at a crossroads. I know I will not be coming back to the County Council; that is a decision I have made. I have decided the best way to serve Hawaii Island is from the Mayor's office, and I hope you will give me the chance to earn your vote. I don’t want this to be a popularity contest. I want you to decide who will give the best leadership, the best direction for our county government, the most opportunities for our County employees. I hope my experience, my energy, and my passion will earn your vote for a better island and a better future. With your support we will make a difference.
Stacy Higa
As Council representative, I am also at a crossroads. I know I will not be coming back to the County Council; that is a decision I have made. I have decided the best way to serve Hawaii Island is from the Mayor's office, and I hope you will give me the chance to earn your vote. I don’t want this to be a popularity contest. I want you to decide who will give the best leadership, the best direction for our county government, the most opportunities for our County employees. I hope my experience, my energy, and my passion will earn your vote for a better island and a better future. With your support we will make a difference.
Stacy Higa
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
