OUR LEADERSHIP DESERT

Pete Hoffmann

Despite promises to the contrary, the Kenoi administration and a few County Council members present themselves as pilots of a rudderless political ship. Look at some of the recent examples:

– the 16 June Council reorganization fiasco was a dismal failure. Much time, hot air and money were wasted as Council novices struggled to explain their leadership credentials to an incredulous public. Disregarding repeated pleas not to proceed, the Council went forward anyway with disastrous results. A lawsuit and injunction followed, legislation had to be re-voted and the original trio of Council members, sacked in the purge, were reinstated.

– the 16 June reorganization also offered County taxpayers a timeless illustration of “thunderous silence” from the Mayor. Offering the traditional alibi of ‘this is only Council business and I can’t interfere’ the Mayor ignored the opportunity to bring order to potential chaos. What the situation demanded was a firm reminder from the administration that political gamesmanship is never productive. What the County received was deafening silence masquerading as leadership.

– the reorganization debacle continued on 5 August as the public witnessed another five hours of testimony and discussion as the Council struggled to repeat the June reorganization attempt. This occurred despite the fact that the West Hawaii Today lawsuit is still to be heard in court on 26 August. Common sense and a small amount of discretion, both ingredients necessary for real leadership, were conspicuously absent. Why this resolution was brought forward under these circumstances boggles even the most callous observers. Yet the resolution was placed on the agenda and two Council members strove mightily during the debate to explain their so-called leadership qualities. True leadership in that situation would have called for a temporary pause in this unnecessary haste to move forward.

– and in regard the 5 August Council discussion, and in fear of repeating myself, where was the Mayor? Even if we accept his reluctance to be involved initially, surely he can calculate the damage done by these reorganization attempts, not only to Council credibility but to the integrity of County government in general. Not one word of caution was uttered. Another opportunity to exercise minimal leadership over a floundering County government was squandered, with unknown affect on the upcoming court date on 26 August.

Some Council members believe they possess strong leadership skills. But the reorganization attempts clearly demonstrate a serious deficiency in common sense and basic talents. Our Mayor promised to be a strong leader, attuned to the concerns of all people on this island. Two significant opportunities to demonstrate that concern have passed. In both instances, I believe leadership took a back seat to political gamesmanship.

The final episode in this dreary picture is summarized below:

My Legislative Assistant, Kareen Forissier, was accepted as member of the recently convened “Green Team”, a mayoral initiative designed to generate ideas in the field of energy efficiency. Ms. Forissier and I have worked for the past two years in trying to correct a deficiency in the County’s energy efforts. I was enthusiastic that the Kenoi team recognized the importance of this issue, particularly given our budget crisis. The Mayor supported several initiatives, the “Green Team” being one, as well as the hiring of an Energy Advisor, support for the long-overdue energy reform legislation (which our office sponsored) as well as efforts to obtain some stimulus funding for related projects.

Of all the individuals in the administration, Ms. Forissier studied the details of this issue, attended conferences, wrote articles, made numerous suggestions, and talked with federal and state officials to assist the County. As an aside, she also holds a Doctorate Degree in Chemistry with five years of corporate experience, and frankly is over-qualified to be my Legislative Assistant.

Given this situation, we were startled to learn that in a phone conversation with an administration official on 7 August, Ms. Forissier has been terminated from the “Green Team”. In trying to learn what she might have done wrong to merit such dismissal, a few excuses were offered (too many people on the team and a perceived Legislative-Executive Branch conflict). Then she was told that she worked for Pete Hoffmann and the rumor was that he might be a candidate for Mayor in 2012.

It is impossible for me to fathom why the administration would sever contacts with any individual so qualified to assist in this critical effort. The excuses offered are total nonsense. However, to even allude in this conversation that her boss might be a potential political rival to our current Mayor, three years plus in the future, and therefore this might warrant her removal from the “Green Team” is beyond comprehension. This can’t be considered effective leadership in any form. It is, in fact, the direct opposite and reflects a glaring lack of common sense and decency. Ms. Forissier works diligently on behalf of all the people of this island. To be ‘punished’ in this manner portrays an insecurity found in those fearful of their personal political futures. Finding constructive solutions should be the overriding priority.

The people of this County deserve better solutions on key issues, they deserve a better dose of common sense, they deserve individuals who put the welfare of the County before small-minded political games. They deserve leadership and, in my opinion, in recent weeks that quality has been almost totally absent from the political spectrum here in Hawaii County.

Pete Hoffmann