Council candidates: Who will make stand?

County Council people have complained about not getting information from the

administration:

* According to Section 3.18 of the County Charter, the

council may not interfere with the administration and may be removed from

office if they do so, except as provided In Section 3.17.

* According to

Section 3.17, “The council, or any authorized committee thereof, shall have the

power to conduct investigations of the operation of any agency or function of

the county and any subject upon which the council may legislate. In

investigations, the presiding officer shall have the right to administer oaths

and in the name of the council to subpoena witnesses and compel the production

of books and papers pertinent thereto. If any person subpoenaed as a witness or

to produce any books or papers called for by the process of the council or

committee shall fail or refuse to respond thereto, the circuit court upon

request of the council shall have power to compel obedience to any process of

the council and require such witness to answer questions put to him aforesaid,

and to punish as a contempt of the court, any refusal to comply therewith

without good cause shown therefore.”

The next paragraph goes into what the

penalties are in the event someone does not comply with the first

paragraph.

Quite a bit of the county government falls within the area the

council can investigate. If information is being withheld, red flags should be

flying and all the more reason to investigate.

The newspaper would be doing

the people of Kaua’i a service if it asked the candidates what they felt about

this and what candidates will implement Section 3.17 if information is in fact

withheld. If one or two had tried to implement Section 3.17, I know which one

or two I would vote for. As it is, I would like to know which ones

might.

ERIC TOULON,

Kalaheo