HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0279.003 2020-2022 P
PC
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From: Janice Glennie
Sent: Friday, June 11, 2021 10:55 AM
To: Villegas, Rebecca
Cc: Council Testimony; David, Maile; Inaba, Holeka; Kimball, Heather
Subject: Leeward planning commission nominee Armbruster, county council agenda
I
Aloha Council Rep Villegas and planning committee members, I
;
It's come to my attention that Mayor Roth has again nominated a person straight out of the development community.
What doesn't he understand about residents wanting someone to represent more than just developers and realtors on
our important (and, in this case, powerful) boards and commissions?
i
I'm sure Ms Ambruster is a nice person. And I doubt it matters one iota if the development company she works for
built a Humane Society or other building that's not a resort when their job is to make money from construction.
That's what her employer, Tinguely Development, is excellent at doing. Their planner, of course, would be involved
in whatever project she was enlisted to do. Naming the projects outside of the resort/speculation mode by a company #j
she doesn't own or control is a disingenuous-ploy by the mayor to try to greenwash another of his development-
devoted nominees.
Again, this isn't a popularity contest nor am I or other members of the community saying she's not a decent person.
This is about making sure that decisions regarding our collective land use-related futures will be made by people who
represent and understand a broad swathe of interests and perspectives. Our mayor seems incapable and/or unwilling to
see and act upon that, and I'm sorry for it. That leaves it up to our elected legislative branch to protect what the mayor
seems unwilling or unable to do to protect our island's people, our shared resources, and our democracy.
Please also note that the council committee agenda doesn't mention the name of the person being considered to be a
member of the Leeward Planning Commission. That seems negligent and possibly not compliant with Sunshine Law
since residents won't necessarily know who's being considered until it's too late to testify.
I
Mahalo for voting against this nominee and for asking (and maybe seeking out yourself) someone who will better
represent an different segment of island stakeholders.
Best regards,
Kl ball-Ka-,H awl 'i 90'7+5
Co , N
R®fe TO:
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Ref. Do—
From: Janice Glennie
Sent: Friday, June 11, 2021 1:08 PM
To: Council Testimony;Villegas, Rebecca; Kimball, Heather; Inaba, Holeka; David, Maile
Subject: LPC nomination
Aloha council members,
I'd like to add to my testimony which I sent earlier regarding the nomination of Ms Armbruster for leeward planning.
I'm happy that a nominee would have planning experience which it's clear ms Armbruster has. The issue is that there
are other people in West Hawaii who could fill that seat. They may not be land use planners (not a requirement for
that position), but they could provide a perspective that a person trained in planning may not have.
Additionally, the issue of conflict of interest is bound to occur with her employer being involved in so many
development projects in the region she's meant to represent. Between her and the planning director,there's a lot of
extra work and mental tasking trying to determine (for the benefit of the public) what and when it's necessary for
them to recuse. And Ms Armbruster might not recuse even when she should (i.e., when Councilman Tim Richards
had a perceived if not a real conflict in supporting and endorsing the new Director of Public Works).
It's critical that residents have a better, improving view of government rather than the one that continues to fester
which is of insider power and outsider invisibility. You have the opportunity, as does the mayor, to improve our
democratic process and, also important, improve the look of it.
Mahalo again for your attention.
Sincerely,
�anice 'alma-�lennie.
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