Let’s grill the candidates
Let’s grill the candidates
Sometimes the candidates introduce themselves to the public in neighborhood meetings and forums, and they try to convince us why we should vote for them by flooding us with promises what would happen if they are elected. In Louisiana there is a saying: “Promises? That of we already have an oversupply!” This can be applied to Kauai, too! I would have a different approach and would ask all of them the following:
1. Would you name three tasks or projects that have been in the plans of the county during the last five years and the office you want to be elected for failed to complete them and tell us that according to you why?
2. What would you do with those projects or tasks if you were elected?
3. For mayoral candidates: Would you dismiss anyone from the county’s management staff — without naming the person — if you are elected or you are satisfied with everybody’s work and with the current state of affairs of the county?
4. For council member candidates: Would you propose a council resolution to the mayor to dismiss anyone from the county’s management staff — without naming the person — if you are elected or you are satisfied with everybody’s work and with the current state of affairs of the county?
Are the questions offensive? I don’t think so. They are the crucial ones to probe the knowledge and the readiness of the candidates. You may see how big storm these little questions will generate. Happy grilling!
János Keoni Samu, Kalaheo
“Serve the public” How is the job the county council or mayor are doing benefit to the public? Not a qualified candidate for that job. Even after elected.
Kaneshiro, Kagawa and Brun are too sure of themselves to bother to appear at the Council Candidates Forums. I guess having large landowners and corporations behind you guarantee winning the Council positions. I was told many years ago that the workers for the large landowners had to wave signs for the landowners’ Candidates or they would lose their jobs. I was also told voters came in with the names written on their hands of who they were suppose to vote for based on their unions’ choices. I thought back then that that was far fetched….I don’t think so any more. Why else would the incumbents think they don’t need to meet the public and answer the voters questions? These three and Kawakami and Rapozo have voted as a block the entire time they have been on the Council. They have stopped many things from happening which would have been good for the people of Kaua’i. It’ll be ashame to see them back on the Council.
Thanks Samu but I’d rather grill hamburgers. But keep trying to be relevant.