Posted on: Wednesday, November 10, 2004

Harris' nominees may be put on hold

Advertiser Staff

Mayor Jeremy Harris has nominated more than 30 people to various city boards and commissions in recent weeks, but some City Council members say all new appointments should be blocked until Mayor-elect Mufi Hannemann has reviewed them.

"The number of nominations really puzzles me, because some of the vacancies have been there for at least two years," council chairman Donovan Dela Cruz said. "I think we can allow the new mayor some time to comment."

Councilman Charles Djou, who chairs the council's zoning committee, said he will block all pending nominations to the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Building Board of Appeals. "Rather than have the outgoing mayor pack the city boards with his appointees, we should give the mayor-elect the opportunity to opine on who is appropriate for these vacant posts," he said.

Harris spokeswoman Carol Costa said nine of the 31 pending nominations are reappointments needed to ensure that certain boards can form a quorum.

"There will be plenty of time for the next mayor to make appointments once he is sworn in," she said.

Hannemann, who becomes mayor Jan. 2, is visiting American Samoa and could not immediately be reached.