George Fontaine

Party: Republican

Age: 49

Job: Retired.

Born in (no info). In Hawaii since 1979, arrived from Los Angeles, CA.

Lives: Kihei

Contact: 264-2292, george@fontaine.pro

Web site: www.fontaine2008.com

Job history past 10 years:
1980 – 2005 Maui Police Department, Police Captain. 1996 – 2005 Maui Gateway, LLC., President. 2002 – 2006 Maui Financial, LLC., Senior Loan Consultant.

Ever run for public office? When? Outcome?
No.

Other civic experience or community service:
2007-2008 Rotary International District Governor, State of Hawaii. 2005-2006 Rotary Asst. Dist. Gov., Maui Coast Clubs. 2003-2004 Pres., Rotary Club of Kihei-Wailea. 1999-2000 President Kihei Comm. Assn.

Anything else you'd like voters to know about you?
I have been happily married to my wife for 17 years and I am the proud father of two children. Family and family values are very important to me.

1) Why are you running for office?
The election this year is about meaningful change and hope for our community. I believe that my experience as a retired police captain in the Maui Police Department and as a community leader, have given me the experience and education to bring proper representation for the people of South Maui. As a legislator, I can make a difference.

2) With state revenue growth slowing, what are your top three priorities for government spending?
1.Do an in-depth analysis of our current budget to determine how our government can operate more efficiently, eliminating wasteful spending. 2.Develop a sensible spending plan that would reward fiscal responsibility of government agencies. 3.Reduce government red tape and regulations inhibiting small business growth. Encouraging more business startups thereby increasing the tax base for the state.

3) What steps should the state take to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuel?
Investing into our vast alternative energy sources, such and wind, solar, and wave energy, our state can reduce our use of fossil fuels by 70% by 2030 if not sooner. This can be achieved by providing tax incentives to companies who develop alternative energy sources and to consumers who invest in an alternative energy that reduces their consumption of fossil based energy production.

4) What's the No. 1 thing needed to improve Hawai'i public schools?
I believe the most serious problem facing our public schools is the Oahu-centralized control of the department of education. The first step to correcting this would be to decentralize the department of education and create local school boards. Local school boards will empower teachers, principals, and parents to take ownership of their schools.

5) How should the state respond to financial difficulties at public and private hospitals?
The state must respond by providing immediate, short term financial assistance so that basic and immediate health care is available to all citizens. At the same time, we must implement long term solutions that will enable our hospitals to become fiscally independent and responsible for their operations thus reducing or eliminating the need for government assistance in the future.

6) What is the No. 1 quality-of-life issue facing Hawai'i, and what would you do about it?
The most important issue is the increasing cost of living. I would work to develop a cooperative relationship with developers with the intent of making it easier and more profitable for them to create affordable housing. I would work within our education system to create a talented, qualified workforce, along with tax incentives that would attract high tech businesses providing higher paying jobs.

7) What's the No. 1 piece of legislation you'd work to pass in 2009?
I believe comprehensive tort reform in Hawaii is an absolute necessity and is imperative to recruit and retain physicians. I would work to develop legislation that would bring positive changes to medical liability reform in Hawaii by looking at successful medical liability reform in other states, where malpractice insurance premiums have dropped by as much as 39%.