tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441020117205433950.post3771764196863477805..comments2023-11-04T23:31:40.392-10:00Comments on got windmills?: IT'S BEN DOVER TIMEAndy Parxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15398587036690312685noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441020117205433950.post-72547302506876096012011-12-13T17:48:35.066-10:002011-12-13T17:48:35.066-10:00Gotta say, it makes more sense for Ben to be doing...Gotta say, it makes more sense for Ben to be doing this than being one among nine moving too slowly on the KIUC Board. Never did believe Ben could do much on the KIUC Board, as it is. This new assignment seems more up Ben's alley. Hope he, the Council, and Mayor have realistically evaluated the KESP (as was provided to them by Ben's affiliated organization) and don't waste time, money and energy on unrealistic, and ineffective aspects of the Kauai Energy Sustainability Plan. Cost is already your driver, fellas, no need to add more taxes and subsidies to it, if you know what I mean.Mauibradhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16759237357642699345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441020117205433950.post-707195561775239692011-12-12T11:29:05.913-10:002011-12-12T11:29:05.913-10:00In general, I agree with you. Ben did not meet th...In general, I agree with you. Ben did not meet the expectations of many, but I don't know what he promised. But whatever he may have done to disappoint expectations, his action was in fact to back a crooked deal. And one does have to wonder how many others were vetted for new job? Well, I think he will add to situation and not subtract. I was told he did push for transparency in KIUC. I think he will try to do good things.Ray Songtreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04576302881869411162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441020117205433950.post-21206797758696482142011-12-08T16:35:44.825-10:002011-12-08T16:35:44.825-10:00Thanks Gary. I agree with much of what you say. I&...Thanks Gary. I agree with much of what you say. I'm not saying that Ben doesn't have the skills. Or that he won't do a good job- I'm sure he'll be better than most if not any in the Carvalho administration. My criticism is much more of Carvalho and type of skills he looks for in people he appoints and the reason he appoints them: much more for loyalty than skill... maybe more so than any administrator I've ever seen. (Actually he isn't really bright enough to do it himself- no doubt Beth Tokioka saw that potential in Ben).<br /><br />Ben has turned a deaf ear to issues with KIUC's governance. But people voted for him because they thought he would challenge the way business is conducted at KIUC. I'm certainly not only not the only one that feels this way. In fact I've been astounded at how many people- everyone I've talked to that's not associated with KIUC as a matter of fact- have said they are disappointed in this tendency of Ben's to be a flack-catcher for those that appear to be corrupt inside KIUC. <br /><br />Take the hydropower debacle. I don't know how carefully you followed it but can anyone say the whole petition and vote process was fair and honest... on the up and up? The difference between the way Ben defended the process vs. the way Carol Bain stayed away from doing so was like night and day. As an elected legislator Ben defended the, at times, indefensible and it wasn't just passive silence but an active defense of Bissell's evasions and prevarications. <br /><br />When certain things were beyond the pale I remember that you didn't sit still for it. When the grubbing and grading scandal came up before the council, you kept it on the agenda for a year until the truth was told. When others not only looked the other way when the corruption involved in the Superferry project was plain but tried to cover it up, you took a stand. When some chose to forgo civil rights for political expediency, you said no. All of those put your political career in jeopardy but they were just too blatant to let it go much less defend the indefensible. But Ben- who was elected because people thought he would stand up to the way KIUC conducts business in an opaque and manipulative way- chose to do otherwise. Perhaps he just tried to be a politician without having the skills and the compass to do it. Perhaps now that he is on the administrative side he will do well since he doesn't have to deal directly with a public to whom he is accountable.<br /><br />What I'm saying is that that the skill set Ben used fits perfectly into the things that the mayor looks for in an appointee- it's less of a reflection on Ben than it is on hizzonah.Andy Parxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15398587036690312685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441020117205433950.post-4399725800146753792011-12-08T14:32:52.583-10:002011-12-08T14:32:52.583-10:00Hello Andy. I think you be too hard on Ben (this ...Hello Andy. I think you be too hard on Ben (this coming from someone who is also a political appointee). Ben's heart and energy is clearly in the right place as evidenced by the countless hours he has put into Apollo Kauai for years now IMHO. Yes...every person who starts out as an activist working on the outside...will be "less actified" when they go to work on the inside. One will call it pragmatism, another will perhaps label it compromise and still another will say it is "selling out". It is just the way it works I think. But we need both. We need good people on the inside willing to work with the system and people on the outside banging on the walls and doors, reminding all about what democracy is all about. I think this is a smart move (on multiple levels) that the Mayor is making and I am thankful that we will have someone with Ben's core values in this position. Am sure the two will not always see eye to eye on issues (as is true of the Gov and myself I am sure). But at the end of the day...both Ben and I have to stand on our own and look you and all of our friends in the eye. Time will tell of course one way or another, for both of us I suppose. Take care Andy...keep writing...Gary HooserGary Hooserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03843020198169320298noreply@blogger.com