LIHU‘E — Ian Costa, county planning director for the past seven years, has offered his written resignation to the Planning Commission. In a two-paragraph letter addressed to Caven Raco, commission chair, and the other commissioners, Costa gives no reason for
LIHU‘E — Ian Costa, county planning director for the past seven years, has offered his written resignation to the Planning Commission.
In a two-paragraph letter addressed to Caven Raco, commission chair, and the other commissioners, Costa gives no reason for his decision to resign, effective Dec. 1.
“I have dedicated my heart and soul in the performance of my duties as the director of planning for the last seven years,” Costa states in the letter dated Nov. 16.
The Planning Commission is charged with hiring the planning director.
Costa and Raco could not be reached for comment Friday.
Imai Aiu, deputy planning director, would not comment on Costa’s resignation nor whether or not Aiu is interested in becoming planning director.
In his letter accepting Costa’s resignation, Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. said he hopes Costa will continue working for the county in some capacity, and urged commissioners to name Michael Dahilig, deputy county attorney assigned to the Planning Department and Planning Commission, as interim director until commissioners name a permanent successor to Costa.
Both letters are agenda items at the Nov. 23 commission meeting, and Carvalho said he would make himself available for that meeting.
Costa’s resignation, which was not known to his brother, George Costa, director of the county Office of Economic Development, is the first of some other anticipated changes in Carvalho’s administration, said Mary Daubert, county public information officer.
See the Saturday print edition of The Garden Island for more details.
∫ Paul C. Curtis, assistant editor and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or pcurtis@kauaipubco.com.
