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Members of the City Council have agreed to keep Chairman Ernie Martin in the top leadership position as the calendar starts on a new year of business.
Martin would retain the chairmanship, with Councilman Ikaika Anderson continuing as vice chairman, according to a resolution submitted to the city clerk.
The resolution, dated Wednesday and signed by the seven current Council members who will be returning next year, still must be introduced and voted on by the full Council when it opens the year Jan. 2.
"I am pleased and humbled by the support of my colleagues who have agreed to my continued service as chairman of the City Council," Martin said Thursday in an emailed statement. "I consider that support as an affirmation of my leadership style."
Councilman Breene Harimoto would serve as floor leader, replacing Rep. Romy Cachola, who was elected to the state House and already has taken office.
Those who signed the resolution included the two newest members: CouncilmanJoey Manahan, who was sworn in last month to replace Cachola, and Council woman Carol Fukunaga, who took the oath of office last week to fill the seat vacated by U.S. Rep.-elect Tulsi Gabbard.
Councilmen Nestor Garcia and Tom Berg, whose terms end officially Jan. 2, did not sign the resolution. They said their goodbyes to the Council on Wednesday as members held their final meeting of 2012.
Garcia and Berg are being succeeded by Council members-elect Ron Menor and Kymberly Pine, respectively.
"I am impressed with Chair Martin’s leadership of the City Council and his commitment to fair and open government," Menor said in an emailed statement. "I look forward to taking office in January and having the opportunity to work with him on many issues of importance to the people of my district."
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