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10"*N I-kk <br />back to being a more professional organization stressing once again strategic <br />and analytical thinking so that they can, again, go out and help the departments <br />through these tough times. <br />Vice Chair Yoshiyama asked for comments on the future of civil service <br />and collective bargaining, noting that times are changing. <br />Mr. Takahashi stated that he doesn't see too many changes in civil service. <br />Civil service is built on the merit principle where the County hires openly <br />through merit based on qualifications, and people are retained because of <br />demonstrated performances. They are promoted through a system of career <br />ladders. First and foremost, he thinks it is the responsibility of the department <br />to maintain the integrity of the merit system, and he doesn't see that system <br />changing even through tough times. In fact, it may have to be tightened up a <br />little more to make sure they hire the right people. <br />Mr. Takahashi believes there will be a large movement by the governor to <br />change collective bargaining, resulting in more autonomy within the counties to <br />negotiate their own separate contracts. It was difficult this year trying to <br />negotiate one contract with all the different counties and all the different needs; <br />therefore, he sees the governor going in to the Legislature this year in an attempt <br />to have the jurisdictions negotiate their own contracts. <br />Mr. Rowe asked why, with all these shortfalls and cutbacks, <br />Mr. Takahashi still wants to become the director. <br />Mr. Takahashi responded that he looks upon it as a challenge at this time. <br />It has been his career goal to become the director. He didn't choose for the <br />economy to be bad in this time, but he feels that Mr. Ben has interned him to <br />deal with these situations. <br />Mr. Silva commented that he knows the political side, the union side, and <br />the citizens of the community. Mr. Takahashi is a highly respected man. If <br />Mr. Silva didn't think that Mr. Takahashi's employees cared about him, and if <br />he didn't have a recommendation from Mr. Ben, or if he thought that the <br />department needed someone new to play a different game, he wouldn't have <br />been quick to second the motion that Mr. De Lima made. Mr. Silva believes that <br />Mr. Takahashi will do a good job; he's well respected in the community and, <br />most importantly, inhouse. <br />R <br />