HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0019.014 2016-2018 Plc eroc
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Murashige, Laura
From: Masuda, Craig
Sent: Friday, December 23, 2016 2:09 PM
To: Council Testimony; Kanuha, Dru; Ruggles, Jennifer
Subject: GREDC Confirmation Hearing for Joseph Kamelamela
Attachments: GREDC.docx
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Thank you for your consideration. io `2
Happy Holidays and Aloha c�
J
Craig 7. gblasuda 2
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney '"i
Office of the Prosecuting Attorney
County of Hawaii V! ' L
655 Kilauea Avenue
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Telephone: (808)-961-0466
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Comm. No. t11�
Ref. To: Q k GR.t+bC
Ref. Date JAN 0 if zol7
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Governmental Relations and Economic Development Committee
Chairman Dru Kanuha
Vice Chair Jen Ruggles
Members of the Governmental Relations and Economic Development Committee.
RE: Support for the Confirmation of Joseph Kamelamela as Corporation Counsel.
I have known Joseph Kamelamela for over twenty years both professionally and personally. I
have worked under Joe's leadership as a Deputy Corporation Counsel for over ten years and
have found him to be a fair and honest man in his dealings with the staff, deputies, public and
even in confrontational situations as an adversary when advocating for the County. You will be
hard pressed to find a more experience attorney is this field of municipal law and practice. I
believe that when Joe's employment terminated he had over 30 years of practice in municipal
civil practice and criminal law representing this County.
Questions and concerns have been raised about his "presumptuous" act of notifying some
deputies that they would not be re-appointed by him. Did this action presuppose that he would
be confirmed by the Council? Yes. Please know that Joe gave them this extraordinary early
notice based on an acknowledgement that these deputies have families that they are responsible
for and greater notice they have the better they could plan. Termination is never easy; but I
would argue that if it has to happen, earlier notice than a sudden surprise and a day notice to
vacate is the better for the terminated. I know Joe's action was motivated by sympathy and
compassion and not arrogance or conceit.
I ask that you join me in supporting the confirmation of Joseph Kamelamela as Corporation
Counsel.
Sincerely,
/S/ Craig T. Masuda
P.O Box 10923
Hilo, Hawaii 96720