MANOA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD FIASCO EAGLE SCOUT IS DENIED SERVICE ON NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD
From Eric Marshall for Senate www.Eric4senate.com
Honolulu, Hawaii - The position would have been left vacant before the partisan Manoa Neighborhood Board # 7, members would allow a Republican to serve on the Board; despite the candidate, Zach Thomson being qualified and a respected Eagle Scout Local Den Leader and a civic volunteer.
On Wednesday, October 6th, at the Manoa Neighborhood Board Meeting, it was said that it was the first time anyone had been denied a chance to fill a vacancy on the Manoa Neighborhood Board. Zach Thomson a businessman, active civic leader, founder of the non-profit Lucent Film Academy, Eagle Scout and Active Boy Scout Den Leader, who is a husband and father that lives with his wife and child in the Manoa community was denied the chance to serve on the Manoa Neighborhood Board.
The position would have been left vacant before the members of the Manoa Neighborhood Board would allow the resident and Republican candidate for State House to be allowed to volunteer his time and expertise to the Manoa community. One of the key vocal opponents and members to vote against the nomination of the Eagle Scout was Tom Heinrich, a session worker for Senator Taniguchi, a Democrat.
The only criteria to serve on the Manoa Neighborhood Board are that you reside in the sub-district that represents Manoa; and you are able to attend a monthly meeting held on the first Wednesday of each month. Candidates for elected state office are not prohibited to serve on the Manoa Neighborhood Board. Zach Thomson disclosed that he was a Candidate for State House District 24; and thereafter, he was not elected to the Manoa Neighborhood Board. A minimum of 9 votes are needed to confirm a Manoa Neighborhood Board member. The vote was 8-3-1 with 2 excused. The three votes in opposition were from Tom Heinrich, Robert Whitaker, and Martin Eby--with one abstention by George Simson--thereby, Zach Thomson was voted down.
"It was a disgrace." said nine year veteran and past Manoa Neighborhood Board Chair Nadine Nishioka, who witnessed the fiasco. Member and past candidate Kimberly Case abruptly left the Board in disgust after Zach Thomson was denied the opportunity to become a member of the Manoa Neighborhood Board. Kimberly Case publicly stated "I am so disgusted I am now leaving." Case then left in protest; and she has filed a complaint with the Board Commission and is waiting for the hearing to receive guidance.
The Mayor's representative, Hubert Minn, made note also that the election was not fair or right after Thomson was denied. Another resident of Manoa, Sarita Corn, teacher at Department of Education of Hawaii, who stated that she had Senate aspirations and had worked for Willie Espero, a Democrat that night was approved affirmatively; by the remaining 10 Manoa Neighborhood members to become the newest member of the Manoa Neighborhood Board.
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Zach Thomson: http://zachthomson.ning.com/, http://www.facebook.com/zacharythomson
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