Mike White’s transformation to the dark side was solidified this week after spreading his version of Holiday Cheer to those around him at the Office of Council Services where White holds the title of Chief Administrative Officer which happens when you are also the Council’s Chairman. The Maui Time reported that White has, “declared war on the Office of Council Services.” The chairman wielded his lightsaber by dumping Director David Raatz, and dismissing staffers Sharon Brooks and Ross Izumigawa without prior notice. Adding insult to injury they were escorted out of the building “like criminals.”
It’s a story of power gone mad and juicy enough that there is likely to be a long line to testify against the new leadership scheme of things at the Council’s January 2nd Organizational Meeting. Those not inclined to watch the drama unfold live can skip the whole inauguration festivities in the morning and put the org meeting on their TV big screen beginning at 2 pm.
A ground swell of vocal naysayers objecting to Mike White’s Chairmanship is building and I have a feeling public testimony for this meeting will be overwhelmingly negative. However, what Mike White said in his Maui News (Nov. 27) rebuttal via the “Chair’s 3 Minutes” is correct:
- Announcing leadership positions prior to the start a term is nothing new. However it is only informational until the actual confirmation vote takes place.
- The Office of Information Practices, in Opinion Letter 02-11, confirmed that incoming council members aren’t subject to the state Sunshine Law until taking office.
- The Maui County Department of the Corporation Counsel has also opined that no council members are subject to the Sunshine Law for matters relating to the next council term prior to the term’s start.
But that’s not the point. People are missing the fact that it takes FIVE to tango.The Force only comes to him by having four others behind him. In case you are living under a rock, those four are: