• Bravo, Rolf Bieber, bravo! • Kaua‘i can be proud Bravo, Rolf Bieber, bravo! Your expose on three county officials alleging ethical misconduct for appearing on behalf of private interests in violation of our County Charter was one of the
• Bravo, Rolf Bieber, bravo!
• Kaua‘i can be proud
Bravo, Rolf Bieber, bravo!
Your expose on three county officials alleging ethical misconduct for appearing on behalf of private interests in violation of our County Charter was one of the gutsiest moves I have ever seen undertaken by any member of our government.
Having watched you since you came to Kaua‘i only a short time ago, I and many of my friends had the greatest admiration and respect for your “fool-hearted” attempt to challenge the status quo and run for mayor. You saw that there was something seriously wrong with the way our government was being run and, against all odds and common sense, you threw your hat into the ring and tried to do the impossible.
Maybe you didn’t “win” the race but you certainly gained a lot of respect from the people and, most importantly, from our newly elected mayor, Bernard Carvalho. In his wisdom he appointed you to the powerful county Ethics Board which you now serve on for one year and, hopefully, for another reappointed term.
For me, your true character surfaced when you were a guest participant on KKCR while running for mayor. A caller phoned in and said, “Mr. Bieber, you don’t know anything about Kaua‘i or its people so what makes you think that you should be our mayor?”
I expected Rolf to get confrontational with the caller but he simply said, “You are right but maybe you can help me learn.” The caller got silent and at that moment I knew that Bieber was not just some “nut” but had a chance of being someone special and in becoming a real asset to our island.
I have watched Rolf attend council meetings, taking notes and absorbing everything that transpires. He seldom testifies but his notes, observations, research and common sense stimulated his actions to file the complaints that Mike Levine so well wrote about in the article “Bieber files complaint against Ethics colleagues” (May 12, The Garden Island).
I honestly don’t believe that there is an ounce of vengeance in Rolf Bieber but he believes that our Charter, which is our Constitution must be upheld. When he was sworn in to office he took an oath that he would uphold our Charter and that is exactly what he is attempting to do.
Charter section 20.02D is very explicit and states, “No officer or employee of the county shall … appear in behalf of private interests before any county board, commission or agency.”
And, maybe there should be an exception to this amendment as, in the case of Judy Lenthall’s. This dedicated extremely ethical lady has done so much good in her volunteer efforts with the Food Bank — feeding the needy on our Island. She did have to appear before the Council to ask for more funding for her worthwhile organization but according to 20.02 D this is a clear violation since she also sits on the Ethics Board.
If the Charter is wrong then amend it but don’t be critical of Rolf for simply trying to bring to everyone’s attention that this is a Charter violation.
In the bigger picture I believe that Rolf has opened the doors to more transparency and sunshine in our government which is so lacking today — again, bravo Rolf!
Glenn Mickens, Kapa‘a
Kaua‘i can be proud
Efforts to ensure the well-being of lesser-educated, compensated and/or “protected” groups are invariably welcomed, helpful and admirable.
It has been suggested that our local Chamber of Commerce, soundly managed by Randy Francisco, fails to similarly value and act on this goal. You will be happy to know that suggestion is incorrect.
Further, it may please you to know the Chamber is not so narrow in its views and goals so as to recklessly disregard other important considerations. Let me explain.
Firstly, the goal of the Chamber (in my view) is to assist with the creation, survival and growth of local businesses. With little effort one could check the Chamber membership list and see the bulk of them are pretty small ventures, mostly started by persons born/from here (if that matters, and of course it should not).
Secondly, in order to accomplish this goal and work with others towards same, the Chamber takes a leadership role in community reinvestment. What? They promote and help run job training workshops. They raise money for scholarships and charities. They encourage achievement among the youth, and networking among those old(er). They help mom-and-pop business find resources to grow, and spend time trying to convince very bright people that Kaua‘i wants them here and is a good place to live and work.
Why do they do this? Because the Chamber understands that: (1) a secure and prosperous society is a commonly embraced objective; (2) economic security and financial stability (ideally, with an opportunity for growth) is probably a prerequisite for this, or certainly a component of it, and; (3) such stability and security most often occurs in an environment where people are well taken care of, well housed, well fed, well educated, skilled, motivated, inspired, etc. That is why this Chamber does not limit itself to just “business advocacy” and wisely takes a comprehensive approach in its operations, which are in the public and local interest.
Lastly, for you see, the Chamber well knows, and needs no lectures on, the topic of social contracts among business and government and community. The Chamber values both social and economic capital, and creates both. That is its value. And it is real, it is strong, and Kaua‘i can be proud of it.
Ben Montgomery, Po‘ipu
