HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0044.048 2020-2022 From: Greg Olsen
Sent: Saturday, January 02, 2021 5:19 PM
To: Council Testimony
Cc: Greg Olsen
Subject: Opposition to Zendo Kern's Appointment as Planning Director
To Whom It Concerns:
1 am a resident/owner in the Dona Vistas subdivision here in Dona. I object to Mr. Fern's appointment for the
following reasons:
- He's has been actively working on behalf of developers at the detriment to residents in the areas which he has
worked_ For instance, he worked on the Royal Vistas (previously known as Kona Village) project for the developer
as their "face of the company" to the residents of Kona Vistas. He did not work with us in good faith, in fact stating
that there was nothing for us to do since "...it [the project] was a done deal." It turned out that it hadn't even been
presented to the planning commission. He made this statement at a meeting with the Kona Vistas homeowners back
on Nov. 26, 2018. This,to me, shows a lack of integrity.
- After the meeting, he really didn't make himself available to the home owners. He didn't follow through with
promises made at the meeting to the home owners nor would he return our calls. To me, this shows a lack of respect.
- finally, I acknowledge that the position of Planning Director should know about development and what it takes to
get it done. However, I don't see Mr. Kens as that type of man. He worked in the background on Royal Vistas but
didn't really do much from our perspective. He could always hide behind the actual development company. As the
Planning Director he will need to be in the fore-front of the work, guiding the department in coming up with
recommendations for the full board. He has been deeply in the pocket of developers so I'm pretty sure their voices
wi11 be the ones he listens to more than the communities he'll impact. This is a huge problem as it shows he doesn't
have the qualifications to do the job.
Please reconsider bringing on Mr. Kern as Planning Director. Yes, he is very polished and can speak to the board but
I'm pretty sure his lack of integrity, respect and qualifications would make him a detriment to the entire department.
Mahalo for your time,
Greg Olsen
IM
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Ref. To: Pm
t Ref, tete JAN 5 2091