We should hold off on expanding the mayor’s power to hire and fire five key county department heads. The potential politicization of these positions and ethical dilemmas that could ensue outweigh the increased accountability rationale. The Charter Review Commission is
We should hold off on expanding the mayor’s power to hire and fire five key county department heads. The potential politicization of these positions and ethical dilemmas that could ensue outweigh the increased accountability rationale.
The Charter Review Commission is considering a proposal that, if put on the ballot and passed by voters, would limit or eliminate board and commission authority to appoint the fire and police chiefs, the planning and personnel directors, and the head of liquor control.
For these charter prescriptions to have jurisdiction, however, the state must pass enabling legislation. There are at least three Senate bills working their way through the Legislature that would accomplish this goal being pushed by the Hawai‘i Council of Mayors.
Kaua‘i should preserve the power of its boards and commissions by ceasing action on both fronts.
We second the comments made by Police Chief Darryl Perry and Fire Chief Robert Westerman who both testified against the proposed charter amendment at the CRC’s most recent meeting.
As Westerman said, the Fire Commission was created by voters less than four years ago to “remove the fire chief from the politics that the previous fire chiefs were in.” (The measure was passed at the 2006 election by an almost two-to-one margin. Kaua‘i residents spoke loud and clear.)
We must avoid creating a situation where a criminal investigation could become entangled with an upcoming election. As Perry told the CRC, clergy and government leaders are not immune to breaking the law. Why burden our police chief with such an ethical dilemma?
Hiring and firing the people who fill these critical roles should not be easy. The wiser way to govern here remains to rest such a decision with a majority of the members serving on a board or commission.
While the proposed charter amendments seem to have a semblance of checks and balances in place — the commission would give the mayor a list of candidates from which he would select and who the council would have to approve — the enabling legislation being considered at the state level would open up a big door that mayors could potentially use to amass the sole power to hire and fire these individuals.
We’re not accusing the Carvalho Administration of trying to set itself up for a major power grab. We’re simply concerned about the possible abuse that could happen down the road if the wrong hands get such an opportunity in their grip.
Keeping this process more insulated from everything that comes with politics — from the money to the motivations — better serves the public for whom these leaders work.
For similar reasons of insulation, the state laws prescribing how the counties appoint and remove these individuals should be upheld.
The Charter Review Commission should drop the proposal that would restrict the authority of boards and commissions to appoint county department heads.
As Westerman said, “Let the mayor be the mayor and let me be the fire chief.”
While there is an argument for improving accountability by transferring more power to the mayor, we should refrain from politicizing these positions further.
