HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0040.001 2020-2022 i
Douglass Shipman Adams
COW 40
Testimony for the County Council
Government Operations,Relations,and Economic Development Committee
January 5,2021
Aloha kakou and good afternoon, Chair Kimball, Chair David, and esteemed members of the
County Council,to include my own councilmember, Councilman Chung. It is with gratitude
and humility that I present myself before you today in the time-honored tradition and ., 7Z
constitutional imperative associated with a legislative confirmation of an executive Y ,
appointment.With your allowance, I would like to begin by introducing my wife, Colonpl
(Retired) Debra M Lewis,my rock and my refuge,who moonlights as the chair of the
Veteran's Day Parade among other community tasks.
I am here before you as Mayor Roth's appointee to the position of Director of the
Department of Research and Development, a department with a long history in the county,
one with a mission to advance knowledge and innovation to make Hawaii County a great
place to live,work, and visit.
My view of how the department functions within the county is two-fold. First, our clients
include both members of the community and the other departments of the county. Great
customer service means looking for opportunities to partner with the other county
departments, as well as with other public, private and nonprofit sector organizations.
Second, our department works best when it is looking ahead,looking over the horizon,
identifying and innovating opportunities for the rest of the county, and by implication,the
people of the island,to improve our standard of living and quality of life.
I am blessed to belong to an island family of long-standing. I have a life-long appreciation
for and desire to engage in stewardship of our community and its future. My education,
training, and experiences have led me to this time,place and opportunity to serve our
county. In addition to being a father and a husband, I consider the conduct of this duty,if
confirmed,to be one my life's greatest honors. I am grateful to Mayor Roth for his faith in
me and the chance to help the people of our island thrive, not just survive.
I look forward to your questions. Mahalo. ,
Comm. Not
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