MEDIA RELEASE

Questions and concerns about a proposed 54’ Verizon Wireless cell tower to be located in the heart of Waimea’s Parker Ranch Center will dominate two Waimea community meetings this week:

Waimea Community Association’s (WCA) monthly Town Meeting at 5:15 p.m., Thurs., May 6, 2010 in Waimea School Cafeteria, which will include a briefing by Danette Mettler.

WCA’s Planning and Design Review Committee, which will meet at 5 p.m., Fri., May 7 in the Staff Dining Room of the Waimea School Cafeteria to further review the proposal and comment on plans to the County of Hawai’i Planning Department.

The community is welcome to both meetings. The proposed cell town would be located on the Pukalani Road side of Parker Ranch Center’s main building, near Lex Brodie’s new retail location.

To view plans for the tower and what it is expected to look like if you are standing in the First Hawaiian Bank parking lot near Mamalahoa Highway, go to WCA’s website: www.WaimeaTown.org.

Also on the WCA Town Meeting Agenda May 6 will be:

• A recap of the just-completed 2010 Legislature by the region’s State Sen. Dwight Takamine and Rep. Cindy Evans, with time for questions;
• An update by South Kohala Councilman Pete Hoffmann on current County budget discussions and related issues;
• A briefing on serious safety concerns about Anuenue Playground in Waimea Park – concerns that could force the Parks & Recreation Department to close down the popular play area unless the community steps in to assist with urgently needed repairs;
• A briefing on this month’s Big Island Film Festival, the annual Waimea Bonyu Kai Bonsai Club’s exhibition May 29-30 at Waimea Community Center, and preliminary plans for Waimea’s popular Relay For Life American Cancer Society benefit in October, which is being relocated to Waimea’s Anderson Arena this year.
• An update on the status of the Parker Ranch Connector completion deadline (current deadline to open is May 8, 2010).

Everyone is invited to attend WCA next Town Meetings. There is no charge to participate though $12 membership is suggested to support association activities. Also, participants are urged to bring a donation – preferably cash or a check – or non-perishable food items. Cash or checks are given to the Waimea pantries. Also, Starbucks-Waimea will again contribute hot coffee with a suggestion that those enjoying it might 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 go to www.waimeacommunityassociation.org.