09-24-2008, 06:58 AM
Here is my take on Mr. Kenoi. It is based on three events where he was a principle speaker, or the only speaker. I have listened to him (just him) for a total of about two hours.
1. He defines his career in term of all the important people he has met, worked for, knows. He says this is an important reason to vote for him: he has great connections. Fair enough. He is by his own definition, then, one of the "good ol' boys".
2. He has made exactly two campaign promises. The first promise:
Build a first rate transit system on this Island using Federal funds (earmarks) provided by Senator Daniel Inouye. It is urgent, he says, to do this quickly before Sen. Inouye dies. Thus the pressure to elect Billy Kenoi NOW and not in the future. This says to me that he will not help us get these transportation funds if we don't elect him mayor.
3. The second promise:
Bar code documents in the Planning Department.
I don't think bar codes will fix our Planning Department.
There must be a process (system or procedure) in place before you automate it, or you will have no improvement. A process that is dysfunctional can be made to work by a totally committed team of people with an overwhelming desire to serve. If the process is not fixed, they burn out. Managers become cynical. I'd bet that is where we are right now.
Starting with the solution is not how you solve a problem. Tellingly, he got this idea from a friend who works in the County Information Tehnology Department, not the Planning Department.
Wisely, he promises nothing else.
4. He is hostile toward the County Council as a whole and towards certain members. He takes an adversarial view of them. To me, this does not bode well for an effective government.
5. He has loyalty to County workers, the good ones and the others, too.
6. He's had some brushes with the law. He lies about it.
7. He has collected and is spending a LOT of money.
8. He displays charm, humor, warmth, aggression, ego, drive, and tons of ambition.
My bet is he will go far.
I numbered things so you all can pick this apart. You're welcome!
1. He defines his career in term of all the important people he has met, worked for, knows. He says this is an important reason to vote for him: he has great connections. Fair enough. He is by his own definition, then, one of the "good ol' boys".
2. He has made exactly two campaign promises. The first promise:
Build a first rate transit system on this Island using Federal funds (earmarks) provided by Senator Daniel Inouye. It is urgent, he says, to do this quickly before Sen. Inouye dies. Thus the pressure to elect Billy Kenoi NOW and not in the future. This says to me that he will not help us get these transportation funds if we don't elect him mayor.
3. The second promise:
Bar code documents in the Planning Department.
I don't think bar codes will fix our Planning Department.
There must be a process (system or procedure) in place before you automate it, or you will have no improvement. A process that is dysfunctional can be made to work by a totally committed team of people with an overwhelming desire to serve. If the process is not fixed, they burn out. Managers become cynical. I'd bet that is where we are right now.
Starting with the solution is not how you solve a problem. Tellingly, he got this idea from a friend who works in the County Information Tehnology Department, not the Planning Department.
Wisely, he promises nothing else.
4. He is hostile toward the County Council as a whole and towards certain members. He takes an adversarial view of them. To me, this does not bode well for an effective government.
5. He has loyalty to County workers, the good ones and the others, too.
6. He's had some brushes with the law. He lies about it.
7. He has collected and is spending a LOT of money.
8. He displays charm, humor, warmth, aggression, ego, drive, and tons of ambition.
My bet is he will go far.
I numbered things so you all can pick this apart. You're welcome!
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