Unsuccessful Honolulu mayoral candidate Panos Prevedouros entered a not guilty plea yesterday to a charge of reckless driving, and a trial is scheduled in the case Dec. 22.

The plea was entered on behalf of Prevedouros by attorney Earl Partington. Prevedouros was not present at the Kane'ohe District Court session.

Partington also handles legal matters for the Stop Rail Now Group, the citizen's group that lost an attempt to block development of rail rapid transit on O'ahu. Prevedouros, a University of Hawai'i transportation engineering professor, is also a vocal opponent of the rail project.

He was arrested in October on a contempt of court bench warrant because he failed to appear at an earlier court session for the reckless driving citation.

Prevedouros missed the initial court appearance after he sent a letter to the court that said he couldn't attend because, "I am one of experts that have been appointed to the seven-member Council Advisory Transit Task Force," according to court records. He asked for a continuance in the case but it was not granted.

The reckless driving charge is a petty misdemeanor punishable by a maximum of 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.