Safarik, nicked for ethics, kicks back at Stocksdale as council race heats up
Thursday, August 31, 2006 at 07:53AM Delicious stuff buried in Thursday's Tribune-Herald story on Gary Safarik's fine for an ethics violation. The incumbent Puna Councilman was challenged by political opponent Kaniu Stocksdale for promoting his political Web site address in a county mailer and the Ethics Board nicked him $252 for it.
Safarik, who said his secretary did it and that he didn't catch the problem when she read it to him over his cell phone while driving!, wasted no time calling out Stocksdale for her role in getting state contracts to help special ed kids in 2001 when her only qualification apparently was a very personal relationship with the state superintendent of schools.
Safarik, finishing his third term weakened by a failed power play on the Council following the 2004 election, needs another term to get things done if I'm reading his slick brochure correctly. But he's facing challenges not only from Stocksdale, but from the highly visible Hawaiian Emily Naeole, businessman Russell Ruderman, and perennial Puna candidate Roger Evans. If none gets more than 50 percent of the votes in the primary on Sept. 23, the top two vote-getters will go head-to-head in November.
As for Safarik's complaint about Stocksdale's ethics, the modeling agency owner informed reporter Alan Schnepf she is aware of her past but beyond that now. "That's the past," she said. "It's not the present and it's not the future."
Cool. A classic Mark McGwire response with a twist of existentialism. Just don't talk about the past; it's not now or the future. That's a good one. Safarik should invoke that too for his errant Web site address.
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Reader Comments (6)
Neighborhood Watch/Community Policing. $3,340 to supplement Neighborhood Watch and Community Policing Programs; $3,000 for the Ainaloa Neighborhood Watch Program.
There are lot’s of Neighborhood Watch programs that need monies to keep them afloat. Why is it that the only neighborhood Watch Program that he sees fit to single out and and give extra funds is Ainaloa? He decides to fund to the tune of $3,000 the one that he is a member of and the Community that he lives in Now I’m sure that he has just chalked up lot’s of votes from the Ainaloa Community. This good old boy politics has got to come to an end and this kind of monkey business should be reflected at the voting poles. We have asked G Safarik for things in the past which he has agreed to, but to my knowledge we have not received one of them yet. Smile on Gary this is one vote that you are going to have to win not buy. That’s just my option but it is the only one that I am entitled to give.
The Lack
Here is a little more food for thought. Look at Gary Safarik’s own web site http://garysafarik.org/ click on Gary in the news. Read the last paper titled Councilman calls for volunteers-build ATV track in Hilo. Here is a quote, “The estimated cost would be $10,000 to $15,000". As I see it the “discertionary” funds are monies that should be spent in his district not someone else’s.
Here is what he wrote in the Puna News,
ATV/Dirt Bike Track Appropriation. $50,000 for the new 808
ATV / Motorcross Track in Hilo.
My thinking is that I’m Glad that there’s not Tracks being built in a few other Districts or the Puna discretionary funds may have headed that way also.
It was $75,000 a couple of years ago; then up to $180,000 and then $200,000. The Council made these increases as part of the budget process.
The County is rolling in $$ due to the skyrocketing property values in 2004 and 2005.
What's going to happen when the real estate market tanks?
(as it seems to be ready to do)
Is money being invested now so we can make through the dry years?
Not quite sure who I will vote for the Council, but I’m starting the process of elimination. Haven’t heard all of the bull.... yet. Have to go to a few rallies and check out the rest of our contestants.
The Lack
Luana Jones seems capable -- but, we were wary of her direct link to Helene Hale.
The General election could get quite interesting on this one.