08-09-2008, 07:34 AM
What do we do about Emily Naeole? We seem to go from one hu-hu to another, and one has to wonder where this is all leading.
I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, I find her very approachable and have had several congenial and informative conversations with her. I really believe that she wants help Puna and make things better. She has a big heart. Her assistant, Tiffany Hunt-Edwards, is a major asset and a person who always responds to constituents questions and concerns.
On the other hand, there seems to be a lack of the organizational abilities and alliance-building that one needs to be an effective Council member. Temperment is a big factor in effectiveness. The Councilwoman has thrown pencils and called another Councilwoman "donkey" during meetings. She has made, then retracted, and then made again serious allegations against a Hawaiian Homelands official. (I lost track of this one and can't remember where things ended.)
It is impossible to get legislation passed without the support of other members. One does not get support by calling names and telling folks to vote against Bob Jacobson, a person who is a natural ally for Puna. When Ms. Naeole has made alliances, they have tended to be with the Hilo faction of the Council, which is not friendly to Puna in my opinion.
So I am just about at the point where the only question for me is which of the Councilwoman's opponents to vote for. Help me out here, Punawebbers. Am I somehow missing the big picture?
Cheers,
Jerry
I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, I find her very approachable and have had several congenial and informative conversations with her. I really believe that she wants help Puna and make things better. She has a big heart. Her assistant, Tiffany Hunt-Edwards, is a major asset and a person who always responds to constituents questions and concerns.
On the other hand, there seems to be a lack of the organizational abilities and alliance-building that one needs to be an effective Council member. Temperment is a big factor in effectiveness. The Councilwoman has thrown pencils and called another Councilwoman "donkey" during meetings. She has made, then retracted, and then made again serious allegations against a Hawaiian Homelands official. (I lost track of this one and can't remember where things ended.)
It is impossible to get legislation passed without the support of other members. One does not get support by calling names and telling folks to vote against Bob Jacobson, a person who is a natural ally for Puna. When Ms. Naeole has made alliances, they have tended to be with the Hilo faction of the Council, which is not friendly to Puna in my opinion.
So I am just about at the point where the only question for me is which of the Councilwoman's opponents to vote for. Help me out here, Punawebbers. Am I somehow missing the big picture?
Cheers,
Jerry