HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0044.084 2020-2022 P/PC
From: Joel Cooperson
Sent: Friday, January 15, 2021 10:37 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Opposition to Zendo Kern's appointment as Planning Director
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Aloha Council Members.
My name is Joel Cooperson. I am a 52 year resident of Kona, Hawaii. I am a retired 7-8 grade public school teacher
here in Kona. As you can imagine, I have seen quite a bit here in Kona over the last 52 years. Some good. Some not
good.
When I read that you were considering appointing Zendo Kenn as Planning Director, I was shocked and extremely
disappointed for the following reasons.
Kona is overwhelmed with an inadequate infrastructure. The roads resemble the drive from San Jose to Mountain
View, California. Many of you have not seen the traffic, non stop North on Queen K in the morning and South on the
Queen K in the afternoon which goes on for hours.
The schools are at maximum capacity. Mr. Kern is/was representing a developer wanting to put 840 condo units
between Pualani Subdivision and Kona Visa, in the midst of the traffic chaos. On his part, it was all about the dollar,
not what was best for our community. I do not believe anything will change for the better if he is appointed. That
would be like putting the fox in charge of the chicken coop.
Mr. Kern has zero professional training to be in an objective position that so impacts our community. He has no
objective experience in West Hawaii. He is a hired gun. His job is to represent developers for which he gets paid. In
my mind, based on his previous work and developer connections, he's never going to be objective and truly represent
the residents of Hawaii. And when he finishes his stint as Planning Director and based on his allegiance to developers,
lie'll become a well paid lobbyist.
It is very difficult to imagine as Council members, you would even consider this man as Planning Director. There are
so many well qualified individuals out there and for you to select Mr. Kenn is a mystery.
I. implore those who have input on this decision to reconsider and do what is best for our`Rest Hawaii community.
Mr. Kent's appointment is not what's best for us. Please reject his appointment_
Very best regards.
Comm. No.
Ref. o:
1 Ref. Date JAN l 9 2021