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Merit Appeals Board February 10, 2021 <br />MS. HUGHES: I second. <br />MS. MATHEWS: I was doing them as individual motions. <br />MS. HUGHES: Oh, yeah, okay—motion. <br />CHR. NAMAHOE: Okay, everybody, I'm jumping back in. Aloha, it's Chair Namahoe. So, <br />I'll entertain a motion to accept—first of all, before we go forward, because I think I know what <br />I'm going to say, I'd still like to hear from Mr. Ventura what your thoughts are, since I have two <br />volunteers for the seat of chair. Mr. Ventura? <br />MR. VENTURA: Yes, I would fully support Ms. Cabanas. I wasn't clear on Ms. Mathews <br />comment about I couldn't understand if she would prefer the Board remain Hilo -centric or to <br />avoid Hilo -centrism. I didn't understand that comment. <br />MS. MATHEWS: Actually, the comment was just sort of a general this is Gay Mathews. The <br />comment was, sort of, a general comment about making sure that we keep things balanced <br />between east and west Hawaii. However, for the chair position, I would think it would be useful <br />to have the person in Hilo and, more importantly—and, again, not to dismiss anything in terms <br />of your talent in Kona—she does have the experience and I think she may have the—more time. <br />So, that's all I was trying to do was just, sort of, say this isn't about Hilo. Because I'm in <br />Honokaa. I'm we've been the stepchild forever. So, I'm very sensitive to the issue of location. <br />MR. VENTURA: Thanks. <br />MS. HUGHES: And, perhaps, with those comments now, if you would be willing, then, to <br />serve as vice -chair having been on the Board for a year. And then, there is still a bit of a balance <br />between the two that might be preferred rather than I step in as vice -chair. <br />MR. VENTURA: Yeah, I would offer my support in that capacity for sure. <br />CHR. NAMAHOE: This is Chair Namahoe, I find the discussion very refreshing. So, I'll <br />entertain a motion that we accept Gabriella Cabanas as the incoming Chair, and Mr. Mel Ventura <br />as the incoming Vice -Chair for calendar year 2021. All in favor? Oh, wait, okay <br />MS. MATHEWS: I so move. <br />CHR. NAMAHOE: Ms. Mathews moves—excuse me, I apologize everyone. Thank you, <br />Ms. Mathews, for thank you for the motion. And may I have a second? Ladies and <br />gentlemen? <br />MS. HUGHES: Second. <br />Page 10 <br />