Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0044.136 2020-2022 PtCounci( COMM.y4 COb Ti` CLE i CO:Uhi I Y OF Hier COMM. 44 Mil FEB -2 NI8: 09 Diane Blancett-Maddock Aloha, I continue to oppose the nomination of Zendo'Kern for Planning Director due to his lack of minimum qualifications under the County Charter requirements and his current conflicts of interest that will greatly impact his ability to perform the duties within the planning department. The Charter specifically states that Council must not confirm any nominee who does not meet these minimum requirements. Zendo does not meet these minimum requirements, and I urge you to VOTE NO. I want to thank you for accepting the responsibility placed upon you by your oath of office and the County charter that require the Mayor to prove that his nominee meets the minimum requirements. Clearly, the mayor and pro-Zendo supporters have been unable to present sufficient information to overcome the fact that this nominee lacks even the minimum requirements. Section 6.7.2 of the Hawaii County Charter provides in pertinent part: Section 6-7.2. Planning Director. (a) The planning director shall have had a minimum of five years of training and experience in a responsible planning position, or a degree in planning, engineering architecture, geography, or another planning-related field and three years of experience in a responsible planning position. No less than three years of experience shall have been in an administrative capacity. This nomination process is unprecedented in many ways. First, the public's interest in voicing their opposition to their government has been strong and unwavering for weeks and weeks. This effort was sustained by our desire to protect Comm. No 44'00 Ref.To: PiOaune11 Ref. Date FEB - 3 2021 our island from an inexperienced nominee who lacks any government experience or an experience protecting and upholding the public interests or upholding our laws. These planning decisions once made and implemented have the effect to negatively impact our island for years and years into the future. Once our natural resources are depleted by uncontrolled development, they are permanently destroyed and cannot be restored ...'EVER: You don't have to imagine the damage from poorly administered government planning; just visit Waikiki or Maui. Second, the unprecedented move by the Mayor to use a secret committee of unelected stakeholders, with no duty to the public, to choose our next planning director, tainted the fairness of this government process. In conclusion, please listen to the opposition voices of your public, follow the County Charter and do not approve this nomination for Planning Director.