LIHUE — Concern for many of the issues facing Kauai is why Eleele resident Victoria Franks is running for the Kauai County Council.
“Many people have asked me to run because they know I’m not afraid to ask the hard questions and that I will listen to their concerns and do my best to make those things happen,” Franks said.
Those issues include affordable housing, education and infrastructure.
Franks says she’ll work to address the high cost of living, affordable housing, homeless and recreation issues that face many of Kauai’s families.
“I currently serve on the Mayor’s Homeless Solutions Team and we are searching or many possibilities to additional housing, including identifying vacant houses that need to be renovated,” Franks said.
Working with youth is also important to Franks, who said she likes to help young people establish goals to reach their dreams and visions.
“I also serve on the Ho’okele Coalition, which is working to combat under age drinking and substance abuse,” she said.
Part of that work includes providing life skills training and mentorship opportunities.
Another issue Franks is passionate about is recycling. She has ideas on how to implement curbside recycling on Kauai.
“I believe that we can establish a great sustainable lifestyle for people on Kauai. I want to see our educational systems grow at both the county and state levels. I want to see young people fulfill their own visions, goals and dreams, while building lives here on Kauai,” she said.
Currently, Franks is the music minister at King’s Chapel.
She studied political science and international relations for a time, and graduated from Blue Mountain College with a bachelor’s degree in music, she said.
Franks said she is confident she would do a good job on the council.
“I already have good relationships with our current mayor, county councilmembers and mayoral candidates, so I’m confident that I can work with them to find solutions to as many issues as possible,” she said.
Franks has sought public office before. She ran for the House of Representatives, District 16, in 2016 is the Republican candidate. She received 1,934 votes to finish behind incumbent Dee Morikawa, with 6,088 votes.
She also ran against Morikawa in 2014 but came up short, with Morikawa receiving 5,320 votes to 1,812 for Franks.
Franks has lived in Eleele for seven years, but has called Kauai home for the past 30.
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Bethany Freudenthal, Courts, Crime and County reporter, 652-7891 or bfreudenthal@thegardenisland.com
