HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0993.003 2018-2020 P1COUNCEL
8 July 2020
Written Testimony
Opposing Mayor Harry Kim nomination of
Diane Blancett-Maddock `
to the Real Property Tax Board of Review
Subject: Comm. 993 Nomination of Diane Blancett-Maddock and Michael
Okumoto to the Real Property Tax Board of Review— Opposition.
I, Dr. Tracey Wise oppose Mayor Harry Kim nomination of Diane
Blancett-Maddock to the Real Property Tax Board. Good morning, Mister
Chairman and council members. I am here today not because I know Ms.
Diane Blancett-Maddock, personally and therefore am requesting the council
to abstain or reject her nomination. Instead, I come today as a third generation
citizen and local resident of this great Island of Hawaii with a invested interest
in our County, community and people. I am of the belief that the lands of our
County and how we manage properties- private, public, state,conservation
lands are of the utmost importance to secure the destination of our island's
future..
As the County Council, the legislative arm of our County, all of our council
members are tasked with problems we face today, imminently and to be able
to preserve, develop and direct Hawaii County's future. That being said, the
Council is required to do due diligence on the behalf of our citizens to make
sure decisions that are made with all disclosures known. I remind each of you
that due diligence as a council member is different than any other, as your
decisions affect those of yqu, your children and generations to come. Many of
you that sit on the Council are all 3rd, 4th generation people, where your
families have deep roots in this land.
As we have seen in the recent last two decades, the interest of land and
management has been at the forefront. Land and how we use or manage it is
the tail that wags the dog. As a member on the real property tax board, these
individuals are tasked with providing feedback, guidance, direct and balance
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to the Council decisions related to our lands, whether private or publicly
owned. Those that take the seat for this board should not be taken lightly.
These individuals should have an immense knowledge about the historical
thread related to property and land management in our County, the
demographics of our people, the socio-economic/social determinants of health
that we face, how to manage our properties and lands,etc. But most of all, the
vested interest in our people and their welfare. Just because an individual is
successful in one place, by whatever means, does this mean he or she has an
invested interest in our people? Our land? What is the intention of these
individuals for being on such a board? What is the intention of those that
nominated them? A curriculum vitae submitted with references should not be
the sole way that guides your decisions. Immense interviews on the nominees
and a thorough background check and confirmation is necessary.
Ms. Diane Blancett-Maddock may be very qualified in various areas
necessary for consideration however, is she the right nominee and candidate
for the Board? A
full Disclosure of Diane Blanceft Interest must be fully examined and
ascertained IAW Rule 11 Disclosure of Interest which requires "Any member
who has a substantial financial and/or personal interest, direct or indirect, in
any action proposed or pending before the Council or a Committee, shall
make full disclosure in writing to the Chairperson of such interest prior to the
taking of any vote there on as provided by Section 1 4-3(a), Hawai'l County
Charter."
The Council should abstain from making any vote until such time full
disclosure of Diane Blanceft interest in the Real Property Tax Board can be
ascertained and confirmed to be in Hawaii's best interest for the people and
generations to come.
Respectfully submitted,
Dr. Tracey Wise