Council members must respect testifiers

Today I came home to watch the last few hours of the Maui County Council meeting concerning Everett Dowling’s development plans in Makena. Due to my work hours, I was unable to attend in person and provide public testimony for the council’s consideration.      

However, I was still interested in listening to the information and opinions of those who were able to make the meeting. Most people were well-spoken and informed on the salient issues facing Maui and voiced their concerns in a respectful manner. However, I did find one exchange to be very disturbing.       Following testimony by one individual, Councilman Mike Victorino took exceptional personal offense to the testifier’s statements and proceeded to berate the individual. I personally did not find the testimony to be anything worthy of the angry reaction that it incited from Victorino.      

Regardless, I would hope that in the future, our community leaders and role models are cognizant of their actions and remember to treat all people with respect. If council members fail to do so, then it is up to the council chairperson to oversee meetings and make sure conduct is appropriate. Our elected officials are held to higher standards than most of us and should conduct themselves accordingly. Speaking to our council members should be an inviting experience, not one that leaves us embarrassed and belittled.      

Additionally, I hope that the council’s decisions during these tough economic times are not myopic in scope, and our elected officials maintain the perspective needed to do what is best for the many future generations of Maui County.