meet the governor [RE-wrenches]

Sun Apr 20 22:18:46 PDT 2003

Yes,

I was actually "there" on Tuesday. But we actually got 45 minutes with Gov.
Douglas.

BUT,

They are all always receptive. They will all always sign anything that
breeches the door. They also can all stop anything they do not want (almost)
from breeching their door. They have a little (lot?) less ability to make
something they do want come to their door. But many will tell you they love
what you're doing, but they cannot support it because "if the opposition
knows I want it, they'll hold it hostage", or "money's tight this year", or
"I haven't heard from our constituents about this issue", or....

So glad you had a good meeting. That's the easy part. NOW, go fight in the
trenches. Line up 20 State House reps that REALLY support you, from both
sides of the aisle. Get involved in drafting the bill before the session
begins. Get the naysayers into the same room with you when you're drafting
the bill, and have them work on it until they can support whatever is agreed
to in the room.

If you do all that, you'll have a chance at getting something. We did all
that, and more, in Vermont, and currently our main bill is "stuck" in the
House Appropriations Committee. Word this weekend from one of the top
lobbying firms is that the bill is "dead". Even with agreement from every
group that would be affected. Apparently the Speaker of the House (a former
oil man, yes even in Vermont) doesn't like it. (Didn't like it last year,
why should he like it this year?)

So now we need to go out and start working REALLY hard, to hit the press,
the state house cafeteria,  the lobbyists' offices. Who needs a real job?
Who needs a pay check? Who needs the NEC to slow our work down? Two years
after we get incentives, if we ever do, I might make enough back to pay for
the time and mileage spent on the effort. I should just start giving the PV
stuff away at cost, I'd be further ahead!

(Ok, rant off, I was pretty good for a while. Time for some sleep. I'll be
better in the morning.)

But really even without the rebates, we are pushing our industry ahead in
the northeast. Our business, and our industry, is growing. It all plays.
Keep fighting.

Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: keith [mailto:kcronin at lava.net]
Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2003 11:56 PM
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: RE: meet the governor [RE-wrenches]

Hello Jeff

Seems like you have been there before.

We had 30 minutes...!!!

I brought a gift...my wife made a beautiful ribbon lei..(see pic)

(she) had staff with her that were receptive to our process from the
ground up..we went thru the proper channels...to get to her......she was
appreciative...

we did the give away...and got something in return...ultimately...it is
up to the legislature...she will sign anything that breeches her
door..........she supports our endeavor...and all of our causes
throughout the country.........

one phenomenal thing I can say about gov. Linda lingle......she is
direct, responsive, acute, sponge like, listens, cares, understands the
local issues...and..want to sincerely help the community...!!!

they are inundated daily with requests from the public...i wonder how
things actually get done in our governance system....

it was an awakening for me.....the realization....that they have a 24/7
job to do...what a daunting task for their constituents.......!!!!!!!!

thanks for all our your help..

Keith Cronin
Island Energy Solutions
318 A Kuulei Road
Kailua, Hawaii 96734
808-262-3268 Tel
808-263-0338 Fax
www.islandenergy.net

-----Original Message-----
From: Jeffery Wolfe, Global Resource Options
[mailto:jeff at globalresourceoptions.com]
Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2003 5:22 PM
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: RE: meet the governor [RE-wrenches]

The other thing is to try to have one or two "throw aways". Something
that
the Gov can do for you without having to do too much. It helps establish
a
win-win philosophy, and helps to (maybe) get his attention focused on
your
issues for a longer term. If the throw away is something like coming to
a
dedication, or touring your plant / office, it's a good way to get more
time
with the gov later. Helping him to get some favorable press is almost
always
welcome.

Understand that everyone that sees the Gov wants something. Try to go
and
bring him something as well.

And don't be too surprised if you meet a very different person than
you're
ready for. I've found the public personna's and the private people to
sometimes be quite different.

You'll also have at least one other person from the gov's staff in the
meeting, possibly several others. Try to find out ahead of time who they
are
and what their roles are. It will give you an idea about where the gov
thinks the meeting will go.

Plan on getting about 30 minutes at best.

Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: Ray Walters [mailto:remotech at taosnm.com]
Sent: Friday, April 18, 2003 12:23 PM
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: Re: meet the governor [RE-wrenches]

Hi Keith:

I've had the chance to meet with a governor and a couple of
congressional
leaders in the past. They are very used to lobbyists pushing BS. Tell
the
truth and act real. Don't be tempted to kiss A... Concise frank
objective
info will stand out. They are real people with real concerns trying to
do a
very difficult job.
I usually meditate right before, asking for the right words to come at
the
right time. Skip the script: they'll start yawning 5 seconds into it.

Good Luck, Don't get scared, You'll do us all proud,

  Ray

At 08:09 PM 4/16/2003 -1000, you wrote:
>Hello
>
>I have the unique opportunity to meet the governor tomorrow with the
>Hawaii Solar Energy Association (HSEA).  Glenn Hamer from SEIA, will
>also be in town to meet with us as well as extol the virtues of
>renewables.  I am the first elected PV guy for the association. Hawaii
>has the distinction of being predominantly hot water, weighted in
>respect to membership.
>
>Any thoughts on short and sweet poignant words?
>
>I understand throughout the country, it is generally the opposite. Do
>any of you have any feedback with meeting highly elected officials and
>can offer some subtle sticking points?  I am encouraged to be semi
>scripted because the hot water gang is hanging on for dear life here.
>They are looking at another 4 year extension to their "temporary"
>business models.  I appreciate my daily bread from the electrical
>contracting industry, with a strong desire to penetrate the PV market.
>The task is daunting here.  Even with high utility rates, people would
>just rather write the check every month.  We are eager to see
incentives
>in Hawaii, waiting with anticipation from our legislature to raise the
>$1750 pv tax credit to $5000.  I think for many of the California
folks,
>(correct me if I am wrong), the incentives really kicked their
>businesses into high gear.  I hope the current legislative team can
>realize the benefit to the community from a multitude of standpoints:
>creating jobs, stabilizing the atmosphere, increasing tax coffers, and
>fundamentally changing the habit of our energy consumption for
>generations to come.
>
>Diatribe off!
>
>Aloha for now
>
>Everyday is a gift!
>
>
>Keith Cronin
>Island Energy Solutions
>318 A Kuulei Road
>Kailua, Hawaii 96734
>808-262-3268 Tel
>808-263-0338 Fax
>www.islandenergy.net
>
>
>
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
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