Core supporters joined County Councilman Tim Bynum Friday morning, the first day candidacy filing forms are available, as he again pulled his nomination papers at the County Clerk’s Office. He was the first to do so two years ago when
Core supporters joined County Councilman Tim Bynum Friday morning, the first day candidacy filing forms are available, as he again pulled his nomination papers at the County Clerk’s Office.
He was the first to do so two years ago when he ran for an at-large council seat and he was the first again this year, according to Campaign Co-chair and long-time supporter Puna Kalama Dawson.
“We are all pleased with the calm, sensible and even-handed leadership Tim has demonstrated on the council this past term,” she said in a news release this week.
Bynum said yesterday that he ran for council to help control growth, and more parameters still need to be set.
“We made a start this year with vacation rentals and a housing bill, but there’s so much more to do,” he said.
For example, Bynum said there is a need for a temporary moratorium on the creation of new agricultural subdivisions and to institute impact fees so infrastructure keeps pace with development.
It’s time for an ag planning process “that makes it clear what you can and can not do,” he said. “That’s honest … so we’re not developing ag lands pretending it’s farming.”
In the past year, Bynum resigned from his position as executive director of Leadership Kaua‘i in order to give his full attention to his council duties.
“I am humbled and honored to have been chosen to serve on the council, and despite some progress during my first year, we really have our work cut out for us,” Bynum said. “Huge land use issues, tax reform, infrastructure and development standards need serious attention and sometimes bold decision making. I am excited about continuing to serve by listening to the people of Kaua‘i, working collaboratively with the administration and my council colleagues and getting things done.”
Bynum has had a 26-year career as a marriage and family therapist and social worker, including two years as the director of the Children’s Justice Center on Kaua‘i. He also served as a program director for counseling programs at the YWCA of Kaua‘i and Child and Family Service.
He founded The Friends of Kamalani and Lydgate Park and coordinated the Kamalani Playground and Kamalani Kai Bridge projects. Bynum also spent two years working in Mayor Bryan Baptiste’s administration as a community response specialist with duties including facilitating Ka Leo O Kaua‘i community meetings.
“This campaign season we’ll continue to talk story about what needs to be done to help Kaua‘i retain its unique character and to ensure that those of us who live here can stay and prosper,” Campaign Co-chair Christobel Kealoha said. “Tim has taken positions and is supporting the policies we need to move in the right direction.”
Bynum lives in Wailua with his wife of 31 years, Gini, who teaches kindergarten at St. Catharine’s School. Also living with them is their son David, grandson Kawika and daughter Kelly, who is a senior at Kapa‘a High School.
Visit www.timforkauai.com for more information on Bynum’s re-election campaign.
• Nathan Eagle, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or neagle@kauaipubco.com.
