HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0044.106 2020-2022 PC,
From: Brooke Kirby
Sent: Thursday, January 14, 2021 3:06 PM
RK
To: Council Testimony COUNTY OF HAWAIII
COUNTY CLE
Subject: Planning Committee meeting - Comm. 44 RECEIVED
Time .1Z d . �y
Aloha, Hawaii County Council, Date JAN 1 4 2021
I am writing in opposition to the appointment of Mr. Zendo Kern as Hawaii County Planning Director. My reasons
for objection are the following:
1. Mr. Kern does not possess the required education to qualify for this position, having at most a high school
education.
2. Although Mr. Kern does have experience as a developer, he lacks experience in government. He further lacks
experience in supervising large numbers of employees, and in coordinating with multiple interdisciplinary
departments.
3. As I have shared with the Ethics Board, I have grave concerns for Mr. Kern's conflicts of interest. As a full time
resident of Kona Vistas subdivision, I am particularly concerned with Mr. Kern's extensive prior involvement with
the proposed subdivision of Royal Vistas (formerly Kona Village). This proposed development has the potential to
negatively impact my own and my neighbors' property values and quality of life. I do not wish to see it rubber
stamped by a prejudiced arbiter who has seen the potential development only from a developer's point of view over a
period of many years.
The position of Planning Director is of great importance to citizens of the county. It should not be offered up to
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anyone lacking qualifications or of questionable loyalty. Certainly there are qualified individuals who could ably fill
this critical position.
Mahalo for your serious consideration of my concerns.
Brooke S. Kirby, Ph.D.
Comm. No
Ref. To:
1 Ref. ate_ 2021