Claiyrvoants and precogs of Kaua`i County Government

The Garden Island newspaper provided an interesting lesson in the genesis of what becomes news and the role a citizen journalist plays. It is a simple recipe, and here it is;

1) Take a letter to the editor like this one I wrote;

Ed Coll to letters,

Mar 3

from Ed Coll to letters@kauaipubco.com, Adam Harju , bcc hsps@hawaiiantel.net, date Mon, Mar 3, 2008 at 9:07 AM subject Where is the need? Show me the money! mailed-by gmail.com

hide details Mar 3 (4 days ago)

Reply

I was surprised to see a notice for professional services from the County of Kauai to pay outside legal council $30,000 to $50,000 to provide research and advice to the County of Kauai Charter Review Commission (TGI, Friday, February 29, 2008, D6).

I was surprised because to my knowledge the Charter Revie Commission
(CRC) does not have a budget, and did not request a legal consultant. Where and how did the perceived need for outside legal council arise if not requested by the CRC?

It appears the County of Kauai is spending an awful lot of taxpayer money on outside legal council even if such legal council is not requested. Why? Whose budget is funding such unrequested services?

2) Use the letter as a tip for a feature story like this one;

County readies for possible charter change

The letter I wrote was not published but the article did include this brief but not totally accurate summary of my letter;

"Still, some residents, such as Ed Coll, of Puhi, question the use of taxpayer money on outside counsel."

"He said that the county seems to be spending 'an awful lot' on a service that was not requested."

I did make that statement but the main question I asked in the letter was left begging for an answers.

How is the process by which something that is not requested funded and received? The obvious answer is back room communications between parties involved that are occurring outside official (and public) channels;

'"This is a proactive effort on my part,' Office of Boards and Commissions Administrator John Isobe said yesterday"

"Charter Review Commission Chair Jonathan Chun said he, for one, would welcome the help."

Pardon my analysis but unless Sonobe is precognitive and Chun is clairvoyant things are being funded and moving forward in most mysterious ways unknown to the taxpayers footing the bill for services that may or may not be needed.

Stay tuned for hidden agendas and special interests ahead.