Board vice chair should resign
As the second signatory of the ethics complaint against Ken Goodenow, attorney and vice chair of the County Ethics Board, I think confronting Mr. Goodenow’s denial is warranted. Our petition is based upon an allegation by someone not associated with the Ethics Board. This individual did not know Mr. Goodenow by sight or name. Being in a hallway and hearing Mr Goodenow’s laughing boast caused that individual to seek out the identification of the happy man. Foolish and arrogant statements can have a way of being noticed just by their very nature.
So now we address the nonsense of the Ethics Board influencing the outcome of a trial that may or not take place in October. Is Goodenow saying to citizens of the island that the public confessions of Mr. Kenoi, concerning two counts of second degree theft, three counts each of third degree theft and tampering with a government record and a single count of lying under oath, are so weak that a simple sanction by the Ethics Board would sway a jury? Speaking of spurious! This is insulting to all potential jury members. Is there a real expectation on the part of Kenoi and friends that a jury is going to be shown public statements of admission of quilt and then vote not guilty?
Are we also being expected to ignore, or are we considered too dumb to know, that the mayor is not required to participate or testify before the Ethics Board? The board has the county auditor’s report of illegal use of his pCard and the public testimony by Kenoi. The board only needs to offer him an opportunity to speak, if he chooses to avail himself of the offer. The canceling of the July meeting was also part of the delaying strategy to prevent the Ethics Board from taking action, in my opinion.
Not to respond to this complaint against Goodenow will be an admission on the part of the board members that they are also part of the “behind-the-scenes-protect-Billy effort as directed by Billy.”
Mr. Goodenow’s trustworthiness is highly questionable. He must be recused from voting on any matters concerning the mayor. The ugly reality is that anyone who is so corruptible has no business serving on an ethics board. Reclaim some of your dignity, Mr. Goodenow, and resign.
Karen Martinez
Kapaau
Kim bashing ridiculous
After reading Larry Chang’s angry letter about Harry Kim not being fit for dog catcher, I would like to make a few points.
Kim was Civil Defense head for the island during very uncertain times for many when lava was wiping out Kalapana and was a decent mayor and a respected, honest man. Mr. Chang, your letter sounds like you are one of those people who move here, get off the plane, buy an aloha shirt, a pair of rubber slippers, and start complaining.
After living here most of my life I’ve never heard the ridiculous story about the two pockets of coqui frogs that Kim could have exterminated. If you knew about them, why didn’t you take care of it. Just think, maybe then you could be mayor.
David Miller
Honaunau