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Three people testified in support of city Corporation Counsel nominee Robert Godbey Wednesday as the City Council began the confirmation process for a handful of city appointees.
Godbey has been acting corporation counsel since July 1. He was nominated to succeed Carrie Okinaga, who resigned June 30 for a post with the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit. The corporation counsel handles civil legal matters for the city and provides counsel to city agencies.
George Marantz, a Kahaluu resident and neighbor of Godbey’s, described him as civic-minded.
"Bob is very fair in nature. Although a lot of times we’ll have a discussion on something and not agree, ultimately Bob seems to do what’s fair every single time," Marantz said.
Godbey worked as the special state deputy attorney general and investigated the Ka Loko Dam breach on Kauai in March 2006. He has been in private practice since 1991 as a partner in Godbey Griffiths.
There was no testimony during the public hearing on six nominees the Council is considering. They are Dr. Glenn Miyasato for the Building Board of Appeals, Paulette Kahalepuna for the Commission on Culture and Arts, Alice Vinton for the Real Property Board of Review, Duane Miyashiro for the Board of Water Supply, and Lyle Ishida and Antonio Saguibo Jr. for the Zoning Board of Appeals.
The nominations will next be considered by Council committees. The full Council is likely to take final votes on the nominees next month.