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• With respect to the cohesiveness, let me just say that, as someone who is part of a
<br />family that has followed the Council for decades, and someone who has personally
<br />followed the Council, actually for more than two decades, long before being a part of it,
<br />it is my opinion, at this time, and perhaps I'm so close that I can't see the forest for the
<br />trees, but it is my opinion, based on my own experience as a member of the Council,
<br />but more importantly, as someone who has received comments from the community,
<br />that the community feels very strongly that the Council - I think that's the right word -
<br />strongly that the Council is operating in a more bi-partisan or nonpartisan way, perhaps
<br />more than it ever has before. Personally, I believe that to be the case. I think there are
<br />very few votes that happen along party lines, and very seldom does the mention of a
<br />party come forward. So, I think in terms of cohesiveness, that the Council has come
<br />light years from where it was a few decades ago, or even a few years ago, when people
<br />were calling each other names in the press and there on the Council floor, and felt
<br />maybe we're closer and maybe we're at the time where we can be more cohesive.
<br />And finally, I'd like to say, although you haven't mentioried it, 1 did talk to Mr. Ray about
<br />this when we came back from St. Louis, the last NACO meeting, that there are
<br />resources available who are able to provide contractual samples of how to go about
<br />this. Personally, I view it as an opportunity to have a more performance -base,
<br />outcome -base management system, as opposed to he said/she said, go see that
<br />person and, some of you have experienced this already. You spend a lot of time
<br />• running around trying to figure out who is a decision -maker, so I think it's very important
<br />that you utilize, or at least seek out information, from those resources. I mentioned one
<br />to Mr. Ray, the University of Georgia. One individual in particular, who is in charge of
<br />helping a lot of counties with setting up the contract. What's critical is, of course, as
<br />you point out, is the policing, but the Council needs to understand what the role of this
<br />person, he or she, is going to be, and therefore, set up some parameters so it's not a
<br />failed situation. And also there, I would say to you that I believe that it would be in the
<br />best interest of the public, as well as the Council, that we spend adequate funds to hire,
<br />if I may call it, a head hunter, a professional search person, to come up with the ideal
<br />candidate, who may well not be a person from Hawaii. We don't have a corner on all
<br />the good ideas in the world. And second of all, I believe that this person should be very
<br />well paid. Very well paid. Probably a hundred thousand or more, so we can attract the
<br />right kind of person who will be accountable and will be able to take the necessary
<br />steps, but I also would say that the Council will play a critical role in this because the
<br />Council will be the body that establishes the policy and contracts with respect to this
<br />person, and it's not going to be easy, but I believe it's worth pursuing. Thank you.
<br />•
<br />RAY: Sue, are you finished?
<br />IRVINE: Yes.
<br />RAY: Roland.
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