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Questions veracity of claim King harmed OCS morale

I feel compelled to clarify an inaccuracy in The Maui News regarding former County Council Chairwoman Kelly King and the Office of Council Services (OCS). It has been stated that “… those with direct knowledge of the situation, who did not want to be identified, said Kelly King created a difficult working environment that drove qualified people away and created ‘strained relationships’ with Office of Council Services staff.”

As director of Office of Council Services from May 2018 to May 2019, I can state that during the period of Council Member King’s chairmanship, OCS staff morale had increased significantly. I saw a transformation of OCS staff from working in constant fear of losing their jobs at the whim of certain council members to feeling valued, respected and appreciated. I heard of numerous previous instances where an OCS staff member would report to work in the morning only to be told they were being terminated and escorted out with their belongings in a box.

During Kelly’s leadership, we received an unprecedented response to OCS’ posted vacant positions. We received many responses from millennials in particular who were excited to work at OCS given Kelly’s strong interest in the environment and protecting the aina. Alternatively, in 2018, we struggled to fill vacant positions as there was little interest given the difficult environment at OCS.

Given my direct knowledge and willingness to come forward, I am rather perplexed by the veracity of the statement cited above by “those with direct knowledge of the situation who do not want to be identified.”

Maria Zielinski

Lahaina

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