I would question every aspect of this article. If you are able to read and comprehend this article the last third paragraph is where the 'meat' of the article. Where everyone should question the governor's listening ear to Mass and question the sustainable plan and civilian peace as oppose to soilders and their accessaries such as M16's, State police (DLNR), and Swat teams and their training. The APEC cameras that are being installed are part of the security baseline for Hawaii's emergency. Secondly a cause for concern for the military are now an inclusive part of Hawaii's rules, regulations, and laws. Thirdly, we the residence of DHHL and Waianae residence already had gone through a natural disaster, but APEC is a man made state of emergency. Who is the 'lolo head' would be a start when asking questions. Who is going to pay for the security? How fast can the fake state legislature activate themselves as well as give voice to their citizens? Or, are we all suspects because we are locals asking for freedom from tyranny? Who is watching big brother the untrained eye during their man made emergency?
Just note: aside from being a resident of Waianae, DHHL, and attending meetings for both environment and emergency disasters, and over ten long hard meetings with the military, we have managed to document some of these meetings. Unfortunnately, Waimanalo is lacking in public media sharing and Bellows is a hot bed of negotiation for behind the scene culture blah blah. One should check the recent Lani friends website friendsoflanai@gmail.comWill and watch Geothermal Eliminate Big Wind? It's interesting when you read their comments.
Read this article in it's entirety and ask many questions:
What is a Gubernatorial State of Emergency?
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is authorized under state law to declare a Gubernatorial State of Emergency upon the occurrence of a natural or man-made disaster. The law gives the Governor broad authorities to implement emergency measures to ensure the safety and health of the residents of the Commonwealth, take appropriate steps to mobilize state assets, and conduct other emergency business for the protection of the Commonwealth. A Gubernatorial State of Emergency (SOE) is initiated when it becomes necessary for the Governor to assume command (direction and control) for the efficient utilization of the total resources of the Commonwealth, in order to mitigate the effects on people and property of a large-scale threat, emergency or disaster.
There is a misconception that various restrictions or bans automatically are triggered when there is a Gubernatorial State of Emergency in place. This is not so. The declaration of a State of Emergency does not in itself affect the operation of private enterprise. Travel is not automatically banned; businesses and schools are not automatically closed. Many businesses do have contractual agreements with their employees regarding who does/does not have to report to work when a Gubernatorial State of Emergency is issued. Following the January 22-23, 2005 Blizzard, some businesses revisited their policies which were probably instigated by memories of the Blizzard of ’78. The January 2005 Snowstorm presented some unique dilemmas for employers and employees, alike. There were no travel restrictions; also, the SOE was in place for the entire Commonwealth from January 22nd through 26th, in large regard, due to the major snow removal issues on the South Shore and Cape Cod.
A SOE may be accompanied by a request by the Governor to stay off the roads, to release employees early, or to stagger arrival at work, in order to promote Public Safety. Such actions, however, are usually in the form of a request, not an order. In extreme circumstances, the Governor, as part of his SOE, may order roads be closed to all but emergency traffic, restricting normal travel, such as occurred during and immediately following the Blizzard of ’78.
The Governor is authorized to exercise certain powers when a SOE is declared, including the power to exercise any and all authority over persons and property necessary for meeting the State of Emergency, including the taking and using of property for the protection of the Commonwealth. Actions such as ordering evacuations, restricting access, implementing curfews, driving bans or restrictions, etc. can be stated in the declaration to protect health and welfare if determined to be warranted.
The SOE may cover a specific municipality (a tornado), multiple communities or counties (a coastal storm), or the entire Commonwealth (a major blizzard). The governor is also authorized to issue Executive Orders to meet the needs of a threat, emergency or disaster. These Orders have the force of law and supersede existing law if there is any conflict between a law and the Executive Order.
The Governor looks to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Director and her/his staff for recommendations concerning all matters related to carrying out the operational aspects of the Commonwealth’s Emergency Management Program. Specifically, in case of any and all disasters, it is as a result of the recommendation from the MEMA Director that the Governor would declare a Gubernatorial SOE. The Governor may, on a recommendation by the Director, authorize assistance from various appropriate State Agencies, and request Federal Agency support allowable under existing Federal statutory authority, to tender assistance. MEMA drafts the appropriate documentation for a Gubernatorial SOE and requests for Presidential Assistance when needed.
A Gubernatorial SOE does not mean that the state will provide financial assistance to cities and towns affected by the disaster. There is no Disaster Fund available to the Governor or the MEMA Director. State financial assistance may be made available by a vote of the Legislature following the declaration of a Gubernatorial SOE, because of the disaster. It is important to note that there are many instances when a Gubernatorial SOE is declared, however there is not a need for financial support to carry out emergency actions. Operational and financial recovery assistance may become available from the Federal Government following a disaster. It is predicated upon a Presidential Declaration of Emergency or Disaster, as we saw following the January 22-23, 2005 Blizzard, and requires the Governor’s activation of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Emergency Management (CEM) Plan, with written justification that the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions have inadequate resources to cope with anticipated or existing consequences of the emergency or disaster.
The Governor is authorized with these broad emergency powers through a number of sources including the Massachusetts Constitution, which vests supreme executive power in the Governor, and Chapter 639 of the Massachusetts General Laws, which spells out the Commonwealth’s preparation for and response to emergencies and disasters.
This article was originally printed in City and Town, a publication of the Massachusetts’s Department of Revenue’s Division of Local Services.
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