Blackburn Announces 2012 Candidacy for Wailuku Council

Joe Blackburn

By Wendy Osher

The 2012 Maui elections are more than a year away, but the campaign trail has already begun.

Wailuku resident Joe Blackburn announced his 2012 candidacy for the Wailuku Council Seat.

Blackburn named water, reclaimed water, recycling, sound fiscal management and promoting a healthy environment, as the top issues he plans to address.

The Wailuku Council Seat is currently occupied by Council Member Michael P. Victorino, who has held the post since 2006 and is now in his third term.

Council members are allowed to serve for five consecutive two year terms under current laws.

In his current capacity, Victorino serves as Chair of the Water Resources Committee and Vice-Chair of the Infrastructure Management Committee.

Blackburn, meantime has a combined 30 years of service under his belt in Public Safety on Maui.

He began his service as a Maui Police Officer, and also served for the Maui Fire Department,  retiring in 2002 as a Fire Rescue Captain.

In the private sector, Blackburn worked as the Safety Director at Maui Electric Company.  He is currently the president of his own small business.

Blackburn earned Bachelor’s Degrees from California State University at Chico in Business Administration and Western Oregon State College in Public Fire Administration. He has a Master’s Degree from the University of Hawaii in Higher Education Administration.