Thursday, May 26, 2011

Musings: Wala'au with the Mayor

I went to see Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. yesterday.

He’d called me last week, and asked if I’d be willing to sit down and talk story. We'd met, but never really had a discussion.

“Sure,” I said. Because I’m always open to talking to the people I write about. I mean, fair is fair. But few ever call; instead, their wives and attorneys post nasty anonymous comments. Yes, I know who some of you are.

“Maybe he’s going to offer you a job,” suggested an idealistic friend.

“Ummm, I don’t think so,” I said, reminding her that I’d neither assisted the mayor’s campaign, nor voted for him.

“Ask how big was the envelop starwood gave him wen he wen 2 ask them 2 hire local instead of tht Mexican crew frm Texas,” texted a more cynical friend.

He kept me waiting just a few minutes, then ushered me into the spacious office I hadn’t entered since it was occupied by Bryan Baptiste. Mary Daubert didn’t follow us in, and Beth Tokioka wasn’t there, either. In other words, I was going to get the mayor unembellished. I took that as a good sign.

After a bit of small talk, he made the reason for our get-together clear: he wanted to know the person behind the blog. Like others — most recently, Joel Guy, who expressed trepidation about our first meeting — he seemed surprised to discover I’m neither mean nor scary. I think “cool” was the word they both used. Must be my multi-colored hair, which gives me a chance to plug my fab stylist, HS Ferreira.

Bernard then said he was opening the door for me to call him any time, and asked if I had any questions. The first one to pop into my head addressed an issue that, unbeknownst known to me, Councilman KipuKai Kualii had raised quite eloquently and astutely that very same day before voting on the budget: the mayor’s five new hires, and their sizable salaries.

As The Garden Island reports today in its account of the Council budget vote and discussion:

“Four of these five positions were dollar-funded positions, additions to the budget that the mayor chose to make,” [Kualii] said. “The council needs to have full budgetary powers in order to protect the interests of our citizens by being a check and balance of the administration on all expenditures, especially salaries. If it takes changing the law then that needs to happen.

“It’s against the interest of the community to give council authority for budgetary oversight when it comes to taking on new expenditures in excess of $6,500 for equipment, furniture and vehicles in the middle of the fiscal year but not have a law to prevent the manipulation of vacant or dollar-funded positions resulting in several new positions each costing over $100,000, positions that some citizens have brought to my attention as unnecessary political hires,” Kuali‘i said.


KipuKai also provided the paper with a rundown on those five positions that outlined the old and new job titles and salary. It includes the Special Assistant to the Housing Director position created for Imai Aiu when he was moved out of the planning department — a topic addressed in my second question, which I’ll discuss in another post — as well as an administrative aide, an executive assistant, an Environmental Services Officer and a Risk Management Administrator. Combined, they’re making $430,252 per year, plus $208,455 in benefits.

In explaining the rationale behind his hires, the mayor used a football metaphor that placed him as the quarterback in the line up. “I gotta be able to trust the guys on either side of me,” said the former Miami Dolphins player, looking right and left, his face and voice registering excitement. I could imagine him preparing to hike the pigskin. “I don’t ask how much they’re making, I just know they’re gonna be able to run with the ball and make a touchdown.”

It seems that Bernard, who advanced from the rank and file during his 26 years with the county, knows how difficult it can be to light a fire under the butts of some county workers, is aware of their tendency to cruise and wait out the term of the newest mayor. After sitting in the mayor’s chair for two years, fulfilling the term and agenda of the late Mayor Baptiste, he was eager now to make his own mark, advance his own ideas. And to do that, he said, he knew he needed to put people he could trust, and whom he could personally hold accountable, in some key positions.

He acknowledges their participation in his campaign, and is aware that some of us view it as political patronage. He, however, sees it as insurance that at least some of the changes he envisions will occur.

This was followed by a rather lengthy monologue, as is the nature of most politicians, about his efforts to reorganize and better organize the workings of the county, as well as some aspects of his vision, such as creating an online tracking system for capital improvement projects and a policy and procedures manual for new hires; training staff in sexual harassment; and other administrative housekeeping measures that one would think would already be in place, but apparently aren’t.

It became clear, while listening, that the mayor is smarter than I’d thought, in that he is at least able to see the bigger picture and what needs to be tweaked to make it function better.

I also can understand why he, as captain, wants to assemble his own team of trusted players.

But that doesn't change the fact that we, the voters, need to be able to trust him, which is why I agree with KipuKai’s position on the mayor's new hires:

“Having the council approve these changes to positions in between budgets and prior to any actual hiring would prevent the administration from acting alone and would restore the public’s confidence in our county hiring process.”

I also happen to agree with Councilman Mel Rapozo on the overall budget presented by the mayor, against which he cast the lone vote in opposition:

“The philosophy I thought this year was to reduce and we didn’t,” Rapozo said. “We increased and we increased substantially.” He said he believes the increased spending sends the wrong message to the state, to the Federal government and to voters.

Especially after some county workers lost substantial pay during the furloughs.

"So is there anything you want to ask me, or say about anything I've written?" I asked the mayor, in the spirit of fair play.

“Some of the things you've written have been hurtful," he said. "Not to me, because I'm a big boy, and I can take it, but to my family."

I winced, though only a little, because I'm sorry, but it goes with the territory.

"And some of it has been just been plain wrong," he continued.

I don't doubt it.

"But I don’t expect you to always agree with me, and I would never ask you to change anything you’ve been doing,” said the mayor, who, having majored in communications and worked briefly at KGMB, said he understands the role of a journalist.

That's good, and as it should be.

Still, he’s politically savvy enough to know that it’s easier for a journalist to inflict damage from a Predator drone than to thrust a bayonet while looking into the eyes of your opponent.

But at least now I know I can call Bernard directly and say, "Hey, what's up with that?" And I imagine that from now on he'll be doing the same with me.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Excellent, Joan. You never fail to amaze me. You know the difference between glass and diamond and canʻt be dissuaded by a little one on one damage control that most crumble under like stale bread; the two facers.
Guess Bernard is used to that, call in the nay-sayers for a little sit down with the mayor and float out the door on a cloud, another dissenting word never to come out of their mouths.

"and whom he could personally hold accountable, in some key positions." Sorry though Iʻm not buying this one. I donʻt think heʻd ever hold anyone accountable, just look at that crook Aiu, who got rewarded for his deeds. tsk tsk and tsk.
Iʻm still waiting to see results of (that other new hire) what the new ʻauditorʻ for inspection of compliance with conditions set by the Planning Commission comes up with. Wonʻt hold my breath either.

Itʻs a farce. And feelings. All about feelings. Itʻs hurtful alright when you see over and over crooks taking the taxpayer dollar to advance their own ambitions >>>>>
thatʻs my definition of HURTFUL.

Anonymous said...

I am really amazed Beth Tokioka didnʻt have her nose in the room to make sure Carvalho stays in line.

Anonymous said...

"I am really amazed Beth Tokioka didnʻt have her nose in the room to make sure Carvalho stays in line."

.....two way mirrors work fine in most situations

Anonymous said...

There's no doubt that Bernard is a sweet and well-meaning gentle person. That's why he is popular and yes, loved, by many. Thanks to journalists like you who stick their necks out, and independent thinking politicians like Rapozo and Kualii, otherwise the island will drown in aloha.
"Hurtful" to family? Entering the world of politics (and enjoying its many benefits)is serious business. One should not go into it unless one has the full support of family. They too have to take the bitter with the sweet...goes with the territory. Decisions should be based on what's good for the whole island, not just family & campaign workers. IN an ideal world, that is.
The best thing going for us is:
term limits! Let's hope the island knows how to separate their garbage when they recycle.

Anonymous said...

Hurtful? Ask Bernard how he feels after creating high paid positions and having the low paid positions take a 5% pay cut and pay more for health insurance, as well as furloughs.

Anonymous said...

So... How much you got paid to write this post?

Anonymous said...

Audit! Special assistants salaries vs civil service employees. Do work qualifications and level of education match the salaries or do special skills include evasion of law?

Anonymous said...

I have to keep reminding myself that he's the mayor. Every other time I turn on Hoike, there he is again with another feel-good chat session. Seems more like the next Kauai talk show host in training. Maybe he's warming up to be Dickie Chang's successor when the term limit kicks in. Unfortunately the feel-good wala'au just keeps on working here.

The word for this week's appointments - nepotism. The phrase for the week is 'fiscal irresponsibility'. The spin for the week is 'a team you can trust'.

Anonymous said...

Bernard should have stayed on the football field. He can only understand football and is running Kauai to the ground. Meanwhile, his team gets big pay and will be getting a pay raise in July while the "worker bees" will not have raises for 6 year. Oh, and possibly a 5% cut in pay and can look forward to paying more for medical premiums. He and his administration NO MOA SHAME. That should replace TOGETHER WE CAN. Something smells here

Anonymous said...

Kauai - he'll be running again in a few more years. Hope y'all will remember this and not let him RULE again! Mayor Kouchi? Mayor Rapozo? Mayor Kawakami? Anyone would be better that this smiling, back slapping clown.

Anonymous said...

So Joan - why not ask Bernard about the curbside recycling program and why it failed? Cart before the horse? But it was good PR for report card publication which by the way, has mysteriously disappeared. Beth Tokioka finally felt embarrassed for publicizing rubbish? Worked for her - gave her a title change and a raise. She can go on to create bigger PR illusions. I agree with another reader - NO MOA SHAME. And if sweet and well meaning shouldn't be the only criteria for Mayor. Let's look for someone with brains and GOOD ethics. Next election should be an open field - so many people sick of Bernard already.

Anonymous said...

oh heck, tell me how any of those people have qualifications matching their jobs? Team? More like spies. With salaries twice of the average worker bee makes who may have twice the qualifications.

Anonymous said...

"oh heck, tell me how any of those people have qualifications matching their jobs? Team? More like spies. With salaries twice of the average worker bee makes who may have twice the qualifications."

You are so right. Office personnel are hard pressed to find Lenny, Ian or George on a daily basis. Bernard's team's qualification doesn't include showing up for their jobs. Someone should audit how much they travel on county funds and how much county pays for their gas.

Anonymous said...

Oh Joan - don't be so naive. He's not going to ask you to change anything you're doing. But now that you see how "nice" he can appear to be, you will be expected to. We're hoping you don't sell out.

Anonymous said...

His Planning Director lives in Oahu? Our we paying for his commutes?

Anonymous said...

His Planning Director lives in Oahu? Our we paying for his commutes?

Anonymous said...

Oh Joan - don't be so naive. He's not going to ask you to change anything you're doing. But now that you see how "nice" he can appear to be, you will be expected to. We're hoping you don't sell out.


Ditto for not selling out. Bernard will be too busy taking pictures to meet with you regularly so you will be shuffled to Beth Tokioka, the master spinner. Nice? Not! Ambitious queen, YES.

Anonymous said...

Yes Joan, you have many readers who appreciate your insight and willingness to dig for the truth. In terms of meeting with Bernard, you will be eventually shuttled off to Tokioka or worse, the hated Gary Heu. Now there's a master double talker and manipulater.

Anonymous said...

I doubt Joan has time to be shuttled by any of these 2nd rate do-nothings because sheʻs always been about doing things that are intelligence based and important.
I mean, with this administration, once you scrape the first layer...whatʻs left? nada.

Anonymous said...

You have to give the MAyor credit for being a first class Schmoozer if nothing else. Mayor "feel good" while Rome burns.

Thanks Joan for your courage and tenaciousness.

Dr Shibai

Anonymous said...

What can't handle local style.
Get back to the midwest.
You all be running once the radioactive plume in the pacific begins washing up on our shores.
pardise lost!!!

Anonymous said...

"Kauai - he'll be running again in a few more years."
No competition - Diane - give me a break...

Find a decent, honest candidate now...good luck.

Anonymous said...

Rolf Bieber.

Anonymous said...

Rolf Bieber.


chem trails guy - give me a break and a real choice.