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Hawai`i County Charter Commission — Public Hearing April 3, 2019 <br />STATEMENTS <br />FROM THE PUBLIC <br />SCOTT SUSMAN: Commenting on Article 7, Chapter 4, Fire Department <br />MR. SUSMAN: My name is Scott Susman. I am here as taxpayer and a resident <br />of Kona and a retired fireman. Regarding County Charter, under the Executive <br />Branch, Departments under Commissions, Article 7, Chapter 4, Fire Department. <br />This is a poor time for me. I just got back from Singapore. I am jetlagged to the <br />max and if I look like a zombie, I am one, so forgive me, but I know my next <br />chance at this will be when I am 82 years old because we don't have that much <br />opportunity to affect the Charter which is important. Let me just read this: <br />CHR. ADAMS: Please speak into the mic sir. It is for recording purposes. <br />MR. SUSMAN: Okay thank you. <br />CHR. ADAMS: And also we have our folks that are in different locations. <br />MR. SUSMAN: Thank you. <br />CHR. ADAMS: So I understand your restrictions at the moment but please... <br />MR. SUSMAN: Thank you sir. <br />Dear Charter Commissioners, I am providing a sample of Chapter 4 with edits I <br />propose for your consideration. I believe more clarity is needed to define what <br />would be reasonably expected of a Fire Commission by the public in its <br />relationship to the Fire Department. I'm a current member of the commission but <br />these suggested changes are from me only as a retired firemen and citizen, and not <br />in any way representing the commission which has already submitted its <br />suggested changes, which I don't consider adequate. <br />It boils down to what we hope for these commissions to accomplish and providing <br />the clearest blueprint we can for guidance to those who serve. Make it <br />unambiguous. As it stands, the chief is quite autocratic, denies access vigorously, <br />and the commission evaluates his administration and the delivery of services via <br />his own narratives at monthly meetings. Efforts to look under the hood are <br />classified as "interference in the administrative affairs of the department". It is <br />inadequate and gives too much unchecked and unwitnessed power to one person. <br />It is a formula for problems. <br />If we want real oversight of this $50 million dollar department, we need to say it <br />and provide for it in the Charter. If not, we may as well give it back to the Mayor <br />and eliminate the expense of a commission that is weak and ineffective. <br />Page 4 <br />