Letters | 7-6-15

Some appointees more suited than others

Some appointees more suited than others

It would be interesting to determine what Hawaii County taxpayers purchased for an annual salary of $110,000, the apparent top salary for two newly selected county directors and manager.

The manager (“Okamoto named Hawaii County Water Department manager,” West Hawaii Today, June 26) of the Water Department will earn $110,000 annually and supervise a department of 168. He is a licensed professional engineer, has been employed by the Water Department since 1996, and has held supervisory positions since 2000. He has experience in supervising capital improvement projects and budget preparation.

The new director of the Office of Aging, who will receive the same salary, will supervise a staff of 12. Recent experience includes manning the single-person office of the state Office of Health Equity. He has also taught classes for Argosy University and holds an advanced degree from a Midwestern university.

Comparing the resumes of these new county managers, whose resume seems to most qualify that person: a 19-year veteran of the department he will supervise, who has no apparent political connection or a former state bureaucrat whose recent experience includes managing the campaign of a mayoral candidate? You decide.

Richard Dinges

Hilo