By Hugh Clark
Advertiser Big Island Bureau
HILO, Hawai‘i — Mayor Harry Kim has submitted the names of eight nominees for County Council confirmation to the newly established Hawai‘i County Fire Commission.
The commission, created by charter amendment in the November election, will be responsible for selecting a fire chief. Previously, the chief was chosen by the mayor and confirmed by the council.
The change was recommended by the Charter Review Commission after several publicized disputes over promotional policies within the fire department.
Big Island Fire Chief Edward Bumatay retired in December, but at Kim’s request, he has continued as acting chief under a personal services contract.
The nominees are: retired paramedic Rudy Hart of Hamakua, retired schoolteacher Karen Maedo and retired corrections officer Louis Kaoiwi, both of Hilo, businessman Scott Salfen of Puna, community leader Thomas Reece of Ka‘¬, retiree Terry Wallace and retired Mainland firefighter Alexander Biro, both of Kona, and water geologist Stephen Bowles of Waimea.
Kim said a ninth member from Ka¬mana and downtown Hilo will be named later. The council is obligated under the charter to act on the nominations by April 22.
Kim also forwarded to the council the names of two nominees for other commissions. They are Jeanne Yagi of Hilo, a teacher and state elections official, to the Civil Service Commission, and former Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee Hannah Springer of Kona to the Planning Commission.
[back to top] |
