HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0183.046 2020-2022 From: Cory Harden
Sent: Sunday, May 02, 2021 11:36 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Comm 183 PC May 4 Van Pernis
comments on Communication 183 re. Van Pernis
for Hawai'i County Council Planning Committee, 10 AM Tuesday, May 4, 2021
from Cory Harden
It is unfortunate that Mayor Roth muddied the waters on this by publicly stating that County Council's vote against confirming
Dana Asis to the Leeward Planning Commission was retaliation for Mr. Roth's proposal to remove Commissioner Van Pernis.
Mr. Roth stated this opinion as if it were fact. This distracts from the real issues of appointing commissioners who support
sustainable development, and seeking input from West Hawai'i Council members regarding appointments. It seems Mr. Roth is
demanding professionalism from other people, but forgetting to practice it himself.
Regarding Mr. Van Pernis, I suggest that he not be removed from his position, but instead be suspended from the next
Commission meeting. He is a strong voice for sustainability, but there was a huge problem at the April 15 Commission meeting.
I watched most relevant parts of that meeting on the video recording. I saw that Mr. Van Pernis has made significant changes
since your last meeting on Communication 183. He had done some training with Corporation Counsel. He submitted his
questions in writing ahead of time, and had staff read them in the meeting, so it was easy to hear and understand his questions.
Mr. Van Pernis himself spoke for things he couldn't write in advance, like follow-up questions, comments on motions, and
making motions. He was courteous during most of the meeting.
But unfortunately, near the end, he was very harsh with an applicant who was already stressed that the vote about to be taken
would cause her to lose her farm. The applicant ended up in tears, Chair Mike Vitousek had to intervene, and another
commissioner felt the need to apologize for Van Pernis' behavior.
So please consider a one-meeting suspension. Mahalo.
Comm. No.
Ref. To: PIPO
1 Ref. Date MAY $ 4 2021