County names a junk car czar

Abandoned vehicles are the target

Kaua’i County is getting someone to help crack down on junk cars.

The County Council passed legislation last Thursday that will create a position for a full-time coordinator to keep up with abandoned vehicles on the island.

Bill 1992 also provides an increase in fees of approximately $1,900 per month to Garden Isle Disposal for a renegotiated recycling contract. The same measure transfers funds for a clerk’s position in the personnel department.

The money was obtained by revising the surplus and appropriations estimated in the general fund (golf fund, solid waste fund).

The vote was 6 to 1, with Gary Hooser the opposing councilman.

Hooser said that after talking to representatives of Garden Isle Disposal, he had no problem with that portion of the bill. But he wasn’t happy with anything else.

“We didn’t get (solicited) information. And I didn’t have confidence in the information I did have. One of the elements is funds came from the golf fund,” Hooser said, pointing out the bill funds non-golf items.

Hooser also noted that the council had approved the abandoned vehicle coordinator position more than a year ago. Until last Thursday, the job was being done part-time by Cathy Agoot, who also worked half-time in the mayor’s office. Agoot will now become the fulltime junk car coordinator.

Hooser questioned whether the appointment will increase enforcement against people abandoning their vehicles, which he said was “the original intent” of the coordinator position.

Staff writer Dennis Wilken can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) and mailto:dwilken@pulitzer.net