Editor’s note: Old-timers might still remember the introduction from The Shadow radio program: “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!” Jerome Freitas, a retired state Department of Transportation worker who is now better known
Editor’s note: Old-timers might still remember the introduction from The Shadow radio program: “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!” Jerome Freitas, a retired state Department of Transportation worker who is now better known as Da Shadow, since 2004 has been meeting with government representatives about problems he has discovered or that have been reported to him, and reporting the county’s responses.
Bus stops
Da Shadow: (June 29) What is the update on bus shelters for county bus stops?
County: (July 17) The Transportation Agency is currently in the final stages of contract execution with the firm that will complete the engineering and design work for this project. We hope to issue a notice to proceed in August. We anticipate the design work to be completed by late Spring 2013.
CIP Program Manager
Da Shadow: (Aug. 23) What is the job description and rate of pay for the CIP program manager?
County: (Sept. 5) The CIP program manager is responsible for coordinating all aspects of the county’s capital projects program to include tracking the progress of projects, coordinating meetings among various agencies to ensure the timely completion of projects and providing progress reports on the CIP program to the mayor and council as requested. The current CIP project list for the county includes $65 million in projects. The position currently pays $80,000.
Mayor’s Office
Da Shadow: (Aug. 23) What is the job description and rate of pay for the managing director?
County: (Sept. 5) Section 7/08 of the Kaua‘i County Charter defines the managing sirector’s job description as follows: Except as otherwise provided and under the supervision of the mayor, the managing director shall: (1) Serve as the mayor’s principal administrative aide. (2) Oversee the administrative functioning of all administrative departments. (3) Prescribe standards of administrative practice to be followed and evaluate the management and performance of all administrative departments under the director’s oversight. (4) Attend meetings of the council and its committees upon request and provide information and reports as they may require. (5) Perform all other duties as required by the charter or assigned by the mayor. The salary for this position is set by the Salary Ordinance and is currently capped at $110,197.
Kaua‘i Marathon
Da Shadow: (Aug. 23) What is the current status of County funding for this event? How much will be given in 2012 and in future years?
County: (Sept. 5) The county allocated $120,000 for the 2012 marathon, and will contribute $85,000 to the event in 2013. Funding beyond 2013 has not been discussed with the County Council. The annual budget for the event is roughly $400,000, and the balance of funds needed for the marathon are raised through registration fees, private donations and corporate sponsorships. The vent draws more than 1,500 runners annually and is estimated to contribute $3 million to the island’s economy every year.
Kapa‘a New Town Park
Da Shadow: (Aug. 23) The skating rink area needs maintenance. The tenant for the rink should be responsible for general maintenance. When will this be addressed?
County: (Sept. 5) Parks is working with the user/tenant organizations to begin maintenance of the facility within the next two months.
• Jerome Freitas can be reached at theshadow96751@gmail.com or 635-3528. Visit his website at http://theshadow96746.tripod.com.