HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0044.144 2020-2022 P/Counci
COMM.Lig
From: Sidney Fuke
Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2021 8:35 AM
To: Council Testimony ax.
Subject: TESTIMONY ON COMMUNICATION NO. 44 - Mr. Zendo Kern, Planning Direcrcir '
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Members of the County Council: _ `
I had testified earlier on this matter and felt it necessary to expand on that
portion relating to Mr. Kern's training and experience.
I am sure that most of you know or heard of the movie Karate Kid and its s quel,
including the most recent Cobra Kai. Training occurred in the dojo — which was the
equivalent of a formal education. Then, there was this informal, yet important type of
training —the "wipe on, wipe off" or "sweeping the dojo" variety.
Although he already had some measure of experience and knowledge in the
planning process while serving as chair of both the Council Planning Committee and
County Planning Commission, Mr. Kern approached me in December 2015 and asked if
I would be willing to mentor him. I was not only complimented by the ask but had
absolutely no problem in doing it. The training he received was not of the "dojo" or
formal type but more of the "wipe on, wipe off" type.
He would prepare the applications/reports and like a sensei or teacher, I would
review, edit, and discuss his work. After an application was filed, I would continue to
review his agency response and other related work. All the while, I would provide him
with a history or genesis of a regulation, whether it was the zoning code and its
relationship to the General Plan or CDP; or a regulation like the SMA and its
relationship to the overall Coastal Zone Management Program.
We had discussions on matters such as the cultural influence of design, history
of planning, the multi-disciplinary approach to planning, as well as the need of
planning being a dynamic versus a static process. He had an unquenchable thirst for
knowledge, and it was good for me, as I, too, had to brush up on things.
Yogi Berra once said, "You can observe a lot by just watching." Which is what he
did. He would attend Planning Commission and Council meetings just to observe (as I
noticed how Councilmember Inaba used to do with Council meetings before and after
he was elected and inaugurated); and after that, Zendo and I would meet to review
what transpired. When it was his turn before the Commission or Council, he would ask
if I could sit in and critique his performance...which I did.
This went on for about a couple of years, during which time I referred a number
of my potential clients to him. He finally "flew the coop" and expanded to the point of
being from Zendo Kern Planning Consultant to Zendo Kern and Associates.
In my opinion, where he lacked in the receipt of a formal degree or education in
planning, he made up with his passion, dedication, and training in a field he loves and, I
can unabashedly state, excelled. If confirmed, he will bring — within the confines of
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the law - a much-needed culture of "how can I help you" into government service,
where the Mayor, Council, Planning Commission, and the public will have ample
oversight opportunities.
Thank you.
Sidney Fuke
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