Maui Parks and Transportation Nominees Advance

Swearing-in the directors — The Inauguration and Oath of Office Ceremony of Mayor-elect Michael P. Victorino and Appointed Directors & Deputies. (1.2.2019) (File Photo: Ryan Piros)

A council committee unanimously voted to advance Mayor Victorino’s Director nominees for the Parks and Transportation Departments last night.

Nominations for Karla Peters as director of the Department of Parks and Recreation; and Marc Takamori as director of the Department of Transportation advance to the full council.

The committee deferred action on the Mayor’s other appointees following several hours of community testimony.

The panel for the Council’s Governance, Ethics and Transparency Committee will reconvene on Jan. 30.

Mayor Victorino was unable to attend Wednesday’s hearings by the council committee, chaired by Council Member Mike Molina, because he’s in Washington, DC, taking part in the 87th Winter Meeting of the US Conference of Mayors.

Chief of Staff Deidre Tegarden represented Mayor Victorino and testified in favor of his appointees’ confirmations saying, “Mayor Victorino convened a Selection Committee to review applications for administration positions.  The committee sought the most qualified individuals and those committed to customer service.”

Selection Committee Co-chairwoman Madge Schaefer testified that the committee reviewed applications and interviewed applicants without Victorino’s participation. She said Victorino asked committee members to seek applicants who have local values and are customer-oriented. Committee members asked tough questions and held in-depth discussions about the applicants when interviews were completed, she said.

Mayor Victorino said, “The independent committee interviewed applicants and made recommendations for my approval. The committee diligently vetted applicants without interference and with the goal of finding the best individuals to serve the people of Maui County.”