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There is something fishy with the very public shaming and removal of Don Guzman from his mayoral-appointed post, and there need be specifics as to why Don is being ousted.
Don served many years with the Maui County Council and had no history of clashes with fellow members.
He unsuccessfully ran for mayor against Victorino, who then appointed him as lead counsel. Noting Don's past service and intelligence, this first appeared as a wise move on the part of the mayor.
Or, was it a "keep your friends close, and your enemies closer" move?
As noted in an article in The Maui News, Don was required to sign a document allowing his removal/firing "without cause/reason" at the time he was hired. Apparently, he did not, which most sane employees would not either. Perhaps this muddied the water.
Perhaps the mayor had wanted Don to "fudge" on legal dealings and Don had legally disagreed (as is his job) and there began the quest for reasons to remove him.
If he raised his voice during these past stressful months, that certainly does not merit removal nor does it equate to "violence." He slapped his desk, not a person.
Mediation, counseling and calm discussion would have been more in order. With someone like Don, an intelligent, soft-spoken person with a clean track record, it appears like a strong-arm set-up, which begs investigation as to the real reason for wanting his removal.
Anika Loki
Lahaina