HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0014.002 2004-2006 ooJ
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Harry ~In Lincoln S.T. Ashida
Mrrynr ,j Corporation Counsel
..fir a;~~ Gerald Takase
• or n~ Assistant Corporation Counsel
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OFFICE OF THE CORPORATION COUNSEL
101 Aupuni Street, Suite 323 • Hilo, Heweii 96720-4262 • (808) 961-8251 • FAX (808) 961-8622
December 17, 2004 _
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Virginia Isbell, Chairperson _
and Members of the Finance Committee
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Dear Chairperson Isbell and Committee Members:
Re: Support for Reappointment of Lincoln S T Ashida
as Hawaii County Corporation Counsel
I support the reappointment of Lincoln S.T. Ashida as Hawaii County Corporation
Counsel and highly recommend this honorable body confirm his reappointment.
I have known Mr. Ashida since 1990 and have more than adequate bases to opine as to
his good character and strong work ethic. Prior to becoming a Deputy Corporation Counsel, I
was a fellow Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with Mr. Ashida for 13 years. During that time, I
have seen how Mr. Ashida worked on lesser known cases with the same enthusiasm as high
profile cases because he always knew that to the victim and the victim's family their case was
the most important. As a Deputy Corporation Counsel under Mr. Ashida, I am pleased to say
that this enthusiasm was not lost in the conversion from criminal to civil practice. Mr. Ashida, if
not weekly, at least monthly, reminds the deputies of his expectation of "raising the bar" of
practice within the Office of the Corporation Counsel It is my belief that the office has bought
into his expectation and continues to strive to become better, not being satisfied just meeting the
bar.
It is not my place to attest to the satisfaction or dissatisfaction of the County's various
departments with Mr. Ashida or his administration of the Office of the Corporation Counsel, but
I would be surprised to hear a negative recommendation. Departments heads and administrators
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Hawai `i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
Virginia Isbell, Chairperson
and Members of the Finance Committee
Page -2-
December 17, 2004
may not like hearing the legal counsel given them because it maybe contrary to what they want
to do, but I would be surprised to hear that they did not respect the opinion given to them by Mr.
Ashida as Corporation Counsel. As a deputy within this office, I believe that as the second
biggest law firm in the County we are on the right path. But also believing in constantly raising
the bar, we still have "a ways to go." Mr. Ashida is the right guide for this path.
Thank you for this opportunity to support Mr. Ashida's reappointment.
Sincerely,
Cr ' . Masuda
eputy Corporation Counsel
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