#neldon mamuad

The name of voided Maui mayoral candidate Neldon Mamuad will still appear on the primary election ballot, but votes for him will not be counted toward the end result.

Maui mayoral candidate Neldon Mamuad’s nomination papers are invalid according to a determination issued today by Maui County Clerk Danny Mateo.

The County of Maui will pay $25,000 in attorneys’ fees and damages under a settlement reached with the American Civil Liberties Union after the group filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of resident and commissioner Neldon Mamuad over a crowd sourcing Facebook page he manages.

Councilman Michael Victorino joined five other members in voting in favor of the $50,000 expenditure for special counsel.

A co-plaintiff in the suit is Pamela Lichty, an ACLU board member, and president of the Drug Policy Action Group.

Is the Maui County administration attacking MauiWATCH, and thus free speech, or is this really all about an employee harassment case against Neldon Mamuad being spun in a very different direction?

Mamuad was ordered to attend counseling and training sessions and was warned of “additional discipline” if he failed to comply with guidelines set forth in the disciplinary action.

The council must approve or disapprove of the nominations by a March 31, 2012 deadline, or the nominations will be deemed approved.