HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0842.002 2002-2004
Harry Kim o'JNty OF
Lincoln S.T. Ashida
Mayor
Corporation Counsel
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Asnst t Corporation Counsel
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OFFICE OF THE CORPORATION COUNSEL
101 Aupuni Street, Suite 325 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4262 • (808) 961-8251 • FAX (808) 961-8622
November 5, 2004
Chairman James Arakaki and
Council Members
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai'i 96720
Dear Chairman Arakaki and Council Members:
RE: Res. 265-04 for the creation of a Deputy Corporation Counsel
Position of the Office of the Corporation Counsel
First of all, my apologies for not being able to be present to testify in
person regarding the Office of the Corporation Counsel's request for an
additional Deputy Corporation Counsel position.
As the supervisor of the Counseling and Drafting division, I have had the
fortune to have an additional attorney working in my division on a contract basis.
Many of the attorneys under my supervision, while working late into the evening
and on weekends, still have not had enough time to work on long-term projects.
Projects like revising the County's harassment policy, and the Fire Code have a
tendency to get pushed to the back burner while our attorneys deal with more
immediate problems. Having an additional attorney (who was not assigned a
specific department because she was hired on a contract) has been an amazing
help to, not only our department, but other County departments as well. Amy
Self, our contract attorney, has been able to work with the Civil Service
Department to revise the harassment policy. She is working with the Fire
Department to update their code. She has been assisting me in revising the
General Terms and Conditions for construction projects. These are projects that
we have been able to begin with the help of an additional attorney. I can't tell you
how exciting it is to be able to begin the above-mentioned projects. Projects like
revising the County's harassment policy and tightening up our contract provisions
for construction contracts, represent this office's commitment to risk management
within the county. As the Counseling and Drafting division supervisor, I feel that
if the Counseling and Drafting division does a good job, there will be less
litigation. Additionally, because there will always be litigation, if the Counseling
Comm. No. q2• Z
Hawai County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Ref. To. Preaeet
Ref. rate /Q
Chairman James Arakaki and
Council Members
November 5, 2004
Page 2
and Drafting Division does a good job, the litigators will have an easier time
defending the County in lawsuits.
Having an additional attorney will not allow our attorneys to go home on
time every day and never come in on the weekends. But, it will help us to be
more proactive in representing our department and board clients.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Z ~i
KATHERINE A. RSON
Deputy Corporation Counsel
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