CHC 1979-05-01 PH - Laserfiche WebLink

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There were some members who felt that while they were for a strong mayor type of government that all department heads should be confirmed by the county council. Because of this division we felt that we would pretty much leave it as it is with the one exception being the department of water supply which is a little deviation from that rule. In my personal opinion , if I may state that the president ' s cabinet is confirmed by the United States Senate. The governor ' s cabinet is confirmed by the state senate. And I personally feel that the mayor ' s cabinet should be confirmed by the county council . It gives us that check and balance. In answer to a question that was asked of someone else, I do not believe that this would mean that if the mayor wants to fire someone he has to get the council ' s permission because this would then divide that department head ' s allegiance between the council and the mayor. The department head should realize that the mayor is his boss once he is appointed and confirmed and that he owes his allegiance and must listen to the directives of the mayor and no one else. CHAIRMAN SAKATA: We thank you, Mr. Santos. MR. SANTOS: Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. I again would like to repeat our offer that we are willing to meet with you at less formal circumstances , if you so desire. Where we can answer further questions or clarify our position on any of these matters. Thank you. CHAIRMAN SAKATA: Next we would like to call upon Mr. Donald Yamada. MR. DONALD YAMADA: Mr. Chairman, members of the Charter Review Commission. My name is Donald Yamada and I represent the Hilo Contractor' s Association as its Legislative Chairman and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii as its Legislative Chairman. I have no printed testimony because as our speaker previous to me said in his presentation and the deliberations for that presentation , the legislative committees of these organizations met over a series of nine to ten meetings overthe past two or three months. We -unanimously agreed on the points that he presented this evening. So I would just like to confirm and for the record say that that testimony also is indicative of the positions of the Hilo Contractor' s Association and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii . Thank you. CHAIRMAN SAKATA: Thank you very much, Mr. Yamada. Next we have Mr. Robert Yamada. MR. ROBERT YAMADA: Good evening members of the Charter Review Committee. I have no prepared statement. However, as I went to bed last night , I thought of attending this committee and give an input as to my experience as a councilman for four years and for four years as chairman of the council that I may -19-