More transparency ADVERTISING More transparency Frank DeMarco, the current Hawaii County Public Works director, decided to retire. This action allows Mayor Harry Kim to select a new director for this key county department. I hope he selects someone with a
More transparency
Frank DeMarco, the current Hawaii County Public Works director, decided to retire. This action allows Mayor Harry Kim to select a new director for this key county department.
I hope he selects someone with a strong rapport with the public and won’t treat concerned citizens, such as myself, like an enemy of the state.
DeMarco has a military background and tried to run this critical department as a military unit with a chain-of-command structure. His management style obviously didn’t work very well and caused a lot of unnecessary issues.
I was caught in the crosshairs of one of his ill-advised decisions, which restricted me from communicating with anyone in the Public Works Department. I was able to get this directive somewhat amended, so I could at least go through the Public Works public information officer. If this effort was unsuccessful, I’d be required to submit all inquires via postal mail directly to the mayor’s office.
Public Works is a key part of county government. They’re responsible for approving building permits and maintaining our roadway infrastructure. It is imperative the new director be transparent and have strong rapport with the public at large. Anything less would go against Mayor Kim’s campaign pledge to bring trust and integrity to county government.
Aaron Stene
Kailua-Kona
Water tips
North Kona is being asked to decrease water usage. Here are methods used in Ocean View to conserve water.
Five ways to decrease water usage:
1. Use paper plates and reuse dry paper plates.
2. Take Navy showers. Get wet; turn water off. Rinse. Then turn water off.
3. Use cup water to brush teeth. Do not let water run.
4. Use bottled water for cooking and brushing teeth.
5. Flush No. 2 and not No. 1.
Debra Zager
Ocean View
