Issue Position: Community Mediation

Issue Position

Puna's people are diverse and vocal. Most of us are vocal in protecting Puna but such diversity can also create conflict. Neighbor turns on neighbor. Geothermal energy resources conflict with surfers and residents. Papaya farms get mowed down. Shouting matches in homeowner association meetings sometimes end with police being called.

It is expensive to settle disputes through lawyers and the court. Mediation on a community level should be freely available. A fully functioning ombudsman office should be created for the district so that monies remain in the neighborhood instead of being used to hire lawyers. I believe in mediation before disputes escalate into crimes and advocate the creation of neighborhood boards or mediation grants.

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