HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0355.001 2006-2008 M•• F Lincoln S.T. Ashida
Harry Kim lad' Corporation Counsel
Mayor " Gerald Takase
;r Assistant Corporation
b.'~•" Counsel
COUNTY OF HAWAII
OFFICE OF THE CORPORATION COUNSEL
101 Aupuni Street, Suite 325 Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4262 (808) 961-8251 Fax (808) 961-8622
April 26, 2007
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Sent via email and hard copy
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Honorable Bob Jacobson and Members of the
Committee on Environmental Management
Hawaii County Council
333 Kilauea Ave., 2nd Floor
Hilo, HI 96720
Dear Chairman Jacobson and Committee Members:
RE: Communication 355
Appointment of Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd as County of
Hawaii Director of Environmental Management Effective
June 1, 2007
This is an unsolicited letter in strong support of the appointment and
confirmation of Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd as the next director of the County of
Hawaii Department of Environmental Management. I regret a previous
commitment at Kamehameha Schools in Kea'au on May 1, 2007, precludes me
from appearing before the Committee in person. Please accept this letter and
make it part of the record.
I have known Bobby since 1985. During that summer, Bobby clerked for
Case & Lynch, and I was a law clerk at the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney.
We were fellow "Law Library Dwellers" at the State Building in Hilo. I soon
learned Bobby was my sister's classmate (my sister remarked, "That Bobby, she
has always been the best person and friend!"). Getting to know Bobby through
work in the years that followed validated the wisdom of my sister's sentiment.
While in private practice, Bobby served selflessly as guardian ad litem for
many sexually and physically abused children in cases I prosecuted in my former
job. She was always well prepared, an advocate for the children, and always
"gave it her all." She has the valuable skill of information retention and global
vision with respect to the legal and human issues that confront her.
Comm. No. J55•
Ref. To: Proswrns Ci
Ref. Uate,~lAY O 1 'tYf(~I
Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider
Honorable Bob Jacobson and Members of the
Committee on Environmental Management
April 26, 2007
Page 2
Bobby brought this same thoroughness, skill and enthusiasm with her to
the Hawaii County Council. I was honored to represent her as the Council's
attorney, and always appreciated her candid and thoughtful legal analysis.
When I found out Bobby was leaving the Council to return to the practice
of law, I went headhunting. I recall running into Bobby at Wal-Mart in Hilo (where
you can find good deals!). I was able to make a great deal, and convince Bobby
to stay in our County government for the benefit of our community.
Bobby's service in our office has been nothing short of exemplary. Her
fellow attorneys will tell you she is always willing to volunteer and cover for her
colleagues in need. She has a wealth of experience and knowledge that she
graciously and humbly shares with others to make their work more effective. She
has single-handedly taken on the responsibility of bill tracking and lobbying for
our County at the State Legislature every year. Her clients respect her. Her
colleagues and superiors trust her.
All this and she finds time to share with staff good food and recipes, old
Hawaiian folk tales, and is the best mother and grandmother a family could ask
for. In sum, Bobby is a wonderful person that gives so much of herself with
kahiau.
When I learned Bobby had decided to take on the challenge of Director of
the Department of Environmental Management, I felt sad in knowing I would not
work with her everyday, as we have in the past years. However, Bobby's
leadership will yield positive returns to our County in a department confronted
with the monumental problem of solid waste. Given her skills and passion, she
will be able to work with the Council and deliver solutions for our community.
Based on the foregoing, I would unqualifiedly and humbly recommend the
Committee and Council confirm Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd as Director of the
Department of Environmental Management. Bobby possesses all the legal,
ethical and human qualities most admired in our legal profession and elsewhere.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to provide this input.
Very truly yours,
LINCOLN S. T. ASHIDA
Corporation Counsel
S: Departments/CC/LSA Corresp./Letter to Council re BJLT 4-26-07/LSAmc