It's an election that's gone to the dogs -- at least in one neighborhood board race. Neighborhood board
races driven by issuesCandidates address topics from
dog parks to meeting attendanceBy Crystal Kua
ckua@starbulletin.comNeighborhood board elections are in full swing, complete with 530 candidates, 175,000 ballots and pockets of spirited competition.
"I think it's just as feisty as ever," said Elwin Spray, the elections coordinator with the Neighborhood Commission office.
Whether it's a reduction in the number of board members in Waianae or board member absenteeism in Kailua, neighborhood board campaigns in different areas are punctuated by different issues.
And the more passionate the issue, the more lively the contest.
"Usually it's issue-generated. Usually it's external to the boards; usually it has to do with what's going on in the community at large," Spray said. "It's what's percolating; it's what driving the community."
One race in particular has been a real dog fight.
Controversy over whether a park should be built in Manoa for owners to walk their dogs has left a group of Fido fanciers doggone mad at current neighborhood member Michael Kliks.
The Manoa Dog Coalition, a loosely formed group of about 50 dog owners, has mailed fliers endorsing three pro-park candidates -- incumbent Hank Chapin and newcomers Jim Deutch and Chuck Pearson -- and asking that no support be given to Kliks.
"At least if we can get some voice and a couple of members on the board that are pro-dog park, our chances of getting the dog park are better," said coalition member Carolyn Borges. "This is near and dear to our hearts. We love our dogs."
Kliks, who could not be reached for comment, has come out against any public park for dogs. He also has complained about dog owners walking their pets in Noelani Elementary, calling it illegal, according to board minutes.
Borges said that the coalition has gathered 600 signatures for a dog park that plans call for being located on an underused section of Manoa District Park.
"This has whipped up interest," candidate Chapin said about the dog issue.
Another area where the campaign is picking up is Waianae because the number of seats is dropping to 15 from 25.
"The dynamics of utilizing that large a board were kind of difficult," Spray said. "At least 10 people will not be returned to office, so there's a lot of campaigning going on in the Waianae community."
Board member Cynthia Rezentes said she was Waianae board chairwoman for four years, and managing a large board proved challenging at times. Reducing the number of members should help improve the workings of the board.
"Hopefully, it will be easier, improvements in moving our meetings along, hopefully get information out on time, get them educated on issues," Rezentes said.
While Waianae has too much participation, Kailua has too little, at least according to one current board member who is turning absenteeism into a campaign issue.
Larry Bartley, who is also running again, said that poor attendance at the Kailua Neighborhood Board meetings has made the panel "impotent." Some measures have failed because there haven't been enough members present, he said.
"I'm certainly not voting for people who aren't attending a lot of meetings, and am urging other people not to," Bartley said.
A total of 454 seats are up for election in the 32-board system. Elections are held every two years.
Neighborhood board ballots must be postmarked by next Monday. The winners will be announced May 1. An installation ceremony will be held May 17, and the new board members take office June 1.
Neighborhood boards Web sites