Posted on: Thursday, March 15, 2001
Mansho loses council posts
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer
Beleaguered Honolulu Councilwoman Rene Mansho yesterday gave up her position as Budget Committee chairwoman and a mostly ceremonial post of council vice chairwoman.
Advertiser library photo • Feb. 3, 2001
Late yesterday afternoon, the City Council added the expected reorganization to its agenda and quietly assigned Mansho to head the Public Works Committee and put that panel's former chairman, Steve Holmes, in charge of the Budget Committee.
Councilman John DeSoto will take over as council vice chairman.
DeSoto praised Mansho for having "the initiative or courage" to step down.
Other council members commended her for doing the right thing by leaving the high-profile leadership posts.
In characteristically resilient fashion, Mansho said she looked forward to the new assignment.
"I really thank my colleagues for this opportunity to continue to work with my colleagues," she said.
Mansho was fined $40,000 yesterday by the state Campaign Spending Commission and was expected to be under the scrutiny of the city Ethics Commission in a closed-door meeting today. Both agencies accuse Mansho of misusing her office and campaign money.
Mansho was replaced as chairwoman of the Budget Committee and as council vice chairman.
