Ka`u News Briefs Nov. 29, 2010

Brittany Smart, the night before being elected to the County Council.
This morning, she announced the staff members Nelson Ho and
Jen Knippling for her incoming County Council office.

Nelson Ho

NELSON HO, former Deputy Director of the county Department of Environmental Management, has been selected by incoming County Council member Brittany Smart to be her researcher and to write her legislation. Ho will take the job currently held by Bradley Westervelt, who works for outgoing councilman Guy Enriques. Smart said that Nelson Ho is the perfect person to work with her since she will chair the Environmental Management Committee on the County Council. She said that his background working for the county will give him insight into solving the needs for solid waste management in Ocean View and other sites throughout the district. Ho currently works for Recycle Hawai`i and chairs the Big Island Sierra Club group.
     Nelson Ho said this morning that he is looking forward to working with all the people of the district and tackling the ongoing needs of the community.

JEN KNIPPLING, who volunteered and worked her way up to become manager of Brittany Smart's successful County Council campaign, will become the council aide. Smart promised total transparency and frequent contact with the public during her term representing District 6 on the County Council.

TOMORROW, THE OUTGOING COUNTY COUNCIL is scheduled to take up the issue of floating a $56 million bond for capital improvements. Mayor Billy Kenoi contends that the county’s high bond rating makes good sense to finance capital improvement projects for the Big Island. Included would be an $8.8 million dollar recycling and rubbish transfer station in Wai`ohinu. Smart said that if the bond issue comes up before the new council, she would consider how much debt the county would shoulder given expected decreases in tax revenues. "I don't agree with putting us in further debt," she said.

INCOMING GOVERNOR Neil Abercrombie is asking everyone who comes to meet him on Sunday, December 12 to bring at least three cans of food or a cash donation to the Food Bank. Abercrombie will be meeting with residents after his inauguration at Pahala Plantation House from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the corner of Maile and Pikake Streets in Pahala as part of his round-the-state visit to meet the people.

ANYONE WHO FINDS A PEST on a Christmas tree that has been imported from the mainland should call the state Department of Agriculture's pest hotline. The ag department does not have the manpower to inspect every tree that comes onto the island but did find invasive slugs on some trees imported to O`ahu. The ag department is also worried about importing yellow jackets. People taking trees home have already found tree frogs and salamanders. If you find a pest that might have hitchhiked to Hawai`i on your Christmas tree, call the hotline at 643-PEST. That is 643-7378.