About fired workers
About fired workers
I need to set the record straight on Ms. (Nancy) Cook-Lauer’s recent article about my clients, the three wrongfully terminated county elections office employees.Some of her statements were misleading and were exactly the opposite of what actually took place.
1.) No drinking on county time: This was an after-hours “Mahalo” party for elections volunteers and part-time workers. The party was intended to thank those people who worked diligently during the election, and it was held after the polls closed on private property.
2.) No alcohol was served: No county employees asked people to bring alcohol, and, once again, no alcohol was served. Guests who came to the party brought their own coolers with beer — a practice that had occurred in past post-election parties and known to prior county clerks.
3.) No drinking on county property: County employees made every effort to make sure that no one, guests or employees, drank on county property.
4.) Defective investigation: Months after the county clerk fired my clients, she was still trying to confirm the “Mahalo” party was held on county property. They found that the “Mahalo” party was held in a private parking lot with the owner’s knowledge and permission.
5.) No private business on county property: Mr. Shikuma stored his sign-making equipment in the county warehouse and used it to repair county voter booths and official signs and banners, at no cost to the county. Mr. Shikuma admitted to using his equipment to make cartoon pictures for baby luaus and birthdays at no cost for friends. My clients made a reasonable offer to get people to realize that regardless of whether they win or lose any future lawsuit, the real losers will be county taxpayers who have to pay for out-of-control legal expenses defending the county from the glaring missteps by the clerk and denial by a “gang of four” on the County Council.
Ted H.S. Hong
Attorney at law, Hilo
Mahalo, volunteers
I would like to express my sincere thanks to Luella Aina, Pat Kahawaiolaa and the Keaukaha Community Association, who generously donated funds towards the training of staff for repairing of the playground safety surface.
Thanks to the association, repairs to the Lincoln Park playground flooring is complete, and repairs at the Kawananakoa Gym should be completed by the end of the month.
Dennis Onishi
County Council member, Hilo
Stay alert
With all the political debates and so-called town hall meetings, where some of the questions from the public go unasked, I have a simple solution to unscrambling all the rhetoric thrown at us.
First, do not believe anything you hear. Secondly, believe only one half of what they show you.
Be alert, and be thirsty for the truth, my friends!
Carmine Spada
Pahoa