|
the cards, they're not soliciting, it's automatically sent
<br />in prior. My intuitive knee jerk reaction was, "Hold on, you know,
<br />something's not right with that. So when we started, and I looked at
<br />it, in light of the County's Ethics Code, I sort of stepped back and
<br />PC: Excuse me, but can we stop for just a moment... `cause everybody
<br />was helping me with this [mikes]... and we're not connected so...
<br />[break for a minute]
<br />CHAIR: We're now on record. Mr. Lincoln Ashida, our Corporation
<br />Counsel, we'd like for you to start again, sir. Please state your
<br />position.
<br />Mr. Ashida: When we initially began receiving these gifts, we... my initial knee
<br />jerk reaction to it was... you know, was should it be something that
<br />we should not retain... we should give back. But when we further
<br />examined factually what was happening, when I was looking at our
<br />Code of Ethics... you know, then I concluded that I didn't believe
<br />that it was a problem... and what it all boiled down to in my mind
<br />is... the process or procedures that we have in our office... that... the
<br />court reporters' services are selected on a rotating basis. There is
<br />no discretion there. It's... its, we've even actually... you know,
<br />actually have gotten letters or a letter from a court reporter that
<br />complained about the process stating... hey, look, I can offer this to
<br />you cheaper, you know, per page, why don't you go with me,
<br />exclusively, and not... ice out everybody else. We kicked that
<br />around, because we take all inquiries like that seriously. The
<br />bottom line, with respect to the procurement of professional
<br />services, quality is always something that can be considered. We
<br />don't necessarily go with the cheapest guys. If that was the case, if
<br />we hired special counsel attorneys, we'd be hiring the cheapest guy
<br />on the street. That doesn't make sense. We want quality and
<br />think it's good. We get a better product. I think when all of the
<br />vendors know that they all have an equal shot, you know, I think the
<br />worst thing is, when you see it on the contract when they tell you
<br />they're iced in, and then, to me the quality could suffer. So actually
<br />we get . But, with respect to this firm, you know,
<br />maybe what felt... I felt a little uncomfortable about this in the
<br />beginning, because it is a big Honolulu firm, you know, Carnazzo, a
<br />big outfit. Maybe the feeling is that they afford to give gifts, but not
<br />a small, one person, operation. But then, when I went back and
<br />thought about it, and we looked at our policy in terms of our taking
<br />it, really doesn't matter... big or small, you're going to get the same
<br />about of work. You're not going to get favored in any way. You're
<br />not going to be moved to the top of the list or what have you.
<br />They're very nominal gifts, but, to me, the individual secretaries,
<br />
|