HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0162.009 2008-2010
Bob Jacobson
PO Box 900, Kurtistown, Hawafi, 96760 808-966-8831, jacobs(ahawaiianisp.com
April 5, 2009
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To: Chairman Yoshimoto and Members of the Hawaii County Council (P vE
Topic: Communication 162, Appointments to the KCDP Steering Committee ?.009 APR PM 8 4G
Aloha Chair and Members,
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Please approve all the nominations to the Ka'u Community Development Plan Steering Committee. I testified at other
committees that day but missed that particular meeting and you probably did not receive my written testimony. I am
reiterating my support for an inclusive selection process and will comment on the shabby treatment and the slanderous
unethical comments made by Council Member Enriques regarding respected nominee Dr. Richard Creagan.
The KCDP process will be demanding and will hopefully examine all resident input. Ruling out service from Dr. Creagan
on the steering committee is not in the best interest of Ka'u. To do so on a lack of due diligence and lies smacks of
pressures from special interests. A quick Google of Dr. Richard Creagan does reveal an unblemished, prolific and public
minded career that does involve years of service in the Kona Hospital Emergency Room and service at Pahala Hospital.
After you Google "Richard Creagan Kona Hospital" I would encourage you to Google "Guy Enriques New York Times"
and contrast the careers and nature of ethical behaviors between Dr. Creagan and Council Member Enriques.
Dr. Creagan and I worked together at Kona Hospital for years. I found him to be one of the most effective emergency
room physicians I worked with over my long career as a Registered Nurse. I audited his charts while working as a quality
assurance nurse. I found his professional performance, accuracy and behavior above reproach. He communicated well
with staff and patients. His patients' positive outcomes reflected his up-to-date skills. He always did his due diligence by
learning about his patients. I wish Council Member Enriques would do the same for his constituents.
Richard has a long history of working with his patients in Ka'u, his neighbors in Ka' u, on boards in Ka'u, as a farmer in
Ka'u and knows many things about his community from a unique perspective. He has a lot to give to Ka'u in this process.
Finally and probably why Guy's bosses oppose Dr. Creagan I must point out that Richard has a great deal of knowledge
about water issues that directly affect the future of Ka'u. He worked on the Ka'u Agricultural Water Cooperative District
Steering Committee and understands that this self appointed organization has the potential to control the destiny of Ka'u.
He has knowledge that would possibly thwart special interests from circumventing current state law
As to the other nominees, I personally asked many of these individuals to consider serving on the steering committee
whether or not we agreed all issues. These are informed committed individuals. To refuse to accept any one of them
would be a slap in the face to these intelligent dedicated volunteers.
When I served on the Council there were some volunteers for the CDP steering committees that I disagreed with on some
issues and some who had some nagging conflicts of interest issues, but I still approved their nominations. I felt that when
those conflicts were present, the chair, the committee members, the individual or the process could be counted upon to
recuse the committee member from participation in conflicted votes. In the balance it was more important to me for all
voices to be heard in this planning process rather than trying to discourage helpful citizens from crafting good CDPs.
Please disregard the scurrilous comments made by CM Enriques and allow Ka'u to enjoy the benefits of Richard Creagan
service on the KCDP Steering Committee. As an additional bit of advice, in the future, please honor the approved CDPs
for the other districts when zoning and planning bills come up. Stop ignoring the CDPs and their recommendations when
developers ask for favors such as eliminating the requirements for curbs, gutters and sidewalks. Ignoring the CDPs
disrespects our citizens, the process and our laws.
In conclusion please approve these appointments to the KCDP Steering Committee and vote to seat Richard Creagan on
the KCDP Steering Committee.
Sincerely,
Bob Jacobson, Former Hawaii County Council Member Puna/Ka'u/South Kona Comm. No. I (0 ),.9
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