Meet New Kailua Board Candidates

Del.icio.us

The buzz about the Kailua Neighborhood Board lately is that the panel needs a dose of “new blood” and new perspectives among its members.

To fill this need, Concerned Citizens of Kailua will host a “Meet the New Candidates” night at 6:30 p.m. Friday (March 9) at St. John Lutheran Church, 1004 Kailua Road.

“The ultimate goal is to introduce new candidates. A lot of people feel the board as it is set up now, doesn’t reflect the views of the community as a whole,” said Josh Rubino, a CCK member and new candidate for a board seat.“People are running; they want to see a change on the board in general.”

The event will be set up similar to a “speed dating” session with separate tables for candidates representing the various districts. Attendees will go from table to table and spend a set amount of time at each, getting to ask questions about current issues. Fliers will be set up as well, representing each candidate.

“We invite everyone to come out,” Rubino said.”(It) gives people a better design of how the election is going to go, how they vote, when they vote (and to) to introduce new candidates.”

The 15 new candidates and their sub-districts are:

Subdistrict 1 (Kalaheo Avenue, Lanikai, Kailua Beach and Kaimalino): Mary M. Beddow, Frank T. Lockwood and Josh A. Rubino

Subdistrict 2 (Enchanted Lake, Keolu Hills): Richard F. Bratt, Bob Grantham

Subdistrict 3 (Maunawili, Olomana, Pohakupu, Kukunono): Ron Weinberg Subdistrict 4 (Coconut Grove, Aikahi, Kailua Town, Kalaheo Hills): Brian W. Bagnuolo, Michele Brooks, Lesli Kahihikoloe, Daniel N. Port, Curt Ruotola, David A. Shamblin, Libby Ellett Tomar, Rick Velasquez and Arnie D. Tellez.

Current members up for re-election are Larry Bartley, Kalana Best, John Brown, Kathy Bryant-Hunter, Jon Chinen, Michael Correa, Mike Dudley, Debbi Glanstein, Joe Harding, Knud Lindgard, Charles Prentiss, Claudine Tomasa, Linda Ure, Josh Wisch, Donna Wong, Jim Corcoran, Susan Dowsett and Christian Porter.

Profiles of all candidates, both new and incumbents, may be viewed on the city website at http://www.honolulu.gov/nco/2007canprofiles.htm. Click on the number 31 (Kailua Neighborhood Board is No. 31).

The 2007 spring election for Oahu neighborhood boards is being held to fill 444 seats on 32 boards. For the first time, voters will have the option of casting their votes on the Internet. The city has joined hands with Commercial Data Systems to create an online voting system. Beginning March 23, residents may log on to www.nbvote.com to cast their votes.

For contested races, paper ballots will be mailed out March 23. They must be mailed back by April 16. Each includes a voter number for those who wish to vote online.

For more information, call 527-5749.