HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0402.019 2008-2010
Council Members
There were 3 Resolutions this week.
Resolution 201-09 by Guy Enriques
1. Makes Yagong chairman of the Public Safety and Parks and Recreation
Committee and vice chairman of the Human Services and Economic
Development Committee
Enriques then gives an explanation, comparing his right to change things just as a
coach of a team does. Mr Enriques, a councilman is not a coach. A coach is in
charge of a team. A councilman is a part of the government and is responsible to his
own district. To feel he has the right to change the governmental process because
another councilman does not agree with him is overstepping his position. He is
saying, either go along with what we here on the east side want or their will be
retribution. Enriques says there was too much"unnecessary tuhnultuous" about the
budget. In other words in Enriques world there is not supposed to be opposition. In a
coaches. World the coach is boss. "It is time to move things around" claims
Enriques. Clearly, Enriques has much to learn about being a team player. A
councilman has the right to disagree and it is healthy to the community to do so
without the threat of retribution.
Resolution 203-09 by Dennis Onishi
I Names hisself as the Chairman of Finance. And strips Yagong of any committee
chairmanships of vice chairmanships.
Again, this is clearly a punishment for Yagong because he opposed some of the budget
items such as the 2% part of the budget to purchase crucial lands as a sacred trust that the
mayor wanted to be used to balance his budget. This was a mandate of the people. This
was not a political football to be used at the mayors discretion. Yagong was right on
when he opposed the takeover of money that the people had voted on.
What kind of chutzpah does a councilman have to appoint himself Chairman of Finance?
Again this is a misuse of power. It says, if you do not do as we say then you will not
have any chairmanships or any voice on the council. We have the votes and we can order
you, Mr Yagong to do whatever we say. This sounds like gang mentality.
Resolution 200-09 Dennis Onishi
1. This resolution gives Puna Councilwoman, Emily Naeole Vice Chair of the
County Council Replacing Pete Hoffman.
2. Yoshimoto claims innocence in the plan to reorganize, but he claims "I believe
the changes will improve our ability to succeed as a council." So he believes that
a one sided block of councilmembers on the Hilo side will make it easier to
succeed as a council. In other words with no opposition from the Kona side. He
approves of a Hilo block of power consisting of Yosbimoto, Onishi, Enriques,
Ikeda and Naole. Yes, it is easier to practice skullduggery without any checks and
balances .
Comm. No. U Z• Q
Ref. Too
Ref. Data ^ d1_N 1 a
As a further attempt to keep the block from any opposition. Dennis Ikeda tried to
withdraw funds from Office of the Legislature Auditors budget to prevent an audit voted
for by the people. Then there was the bidrigging scandal, and the sale of the
unauthorized sale of the bulldozer.
Now all the west side council members have been stripped of all meaningful
chairmanships if this resolution is passed.
We are now experiencing the effects of a global economy brought about by a one sided
Administration on the Federal level. One sided government brings about abuse, corrupt
Impropriety and lack of ethics.
I believe we need more than an audit. We need the State's Ethic Commission to
investigate this obvious misuse of power to control our whole island and disregard what
the People have voted for. This is not representing the public, this is using the position of
a council office as a power tool to further your control over government.
I ask you Mr. Yoshimoto, Mr Onishi, Mr Enriques, Mr. Ikeda and you Ms Naeole. Is this
how you choose to run your lives? Are you proud of the fact that you want to manipulate
the government to only include your clique on the East side of this island and by so doing
you can dictate to us in Kona whatever you wish to have happen including unwanted
growth. Do you Think you have the right to punish anyone who does not agree with you?
Why did you run for office? Was it to serve the people or was it to serve yourselves.?
Barbara Clay