Name on ballot:

Alberta de Jetley

Running for:

Maui county council – Lanai

Political party:

Non-partisan election

Campaign website:

Albertadejetley.com

Current occupation:

Journalist

Age:

75

Previous job history:

Publisher/Editor, Lanai Today; Publisher/Editor Hana News; Owner/Farmer, Alberta’s Farm 2003-2016; Manager, Lanai Taxi & Transportation Co.; Author, Images of America, Lanai (published in 2015); free lance writer, various publications 1984 to present

Previous elected office, if any:

none

Please describe your qualifications to represent the voters of your county.

Since returning to the island of Lanai in 1996, I’ve served on numerous boards, commissions, and committees. As the publisher/editor of the community newspaper (Dec. 2008 to Nov. 2019), I’ve covered almost all of the community meetings by govt. agencies and others regarding changes/projects on our island. I understand our community’s economic history; we must work together to create a sustainable future for our island.

What will be your top priority if elected?

My top priority is getting our residents through Covid-19 with a roof over their head and food on their table. So many businesses have been closed!

As Hawaii faces the COVID-19 pandemic, what more should county government do to protect residents’ health?

Maintain present rules such as wearing masks and social distancing. Provide tracing and more testing if need be.

What should county government do to help residents who have been economically affected by the pandemic?

A food stipend using a debit card would be helpful because then residents can buy their own choice of foods, especially if they do not eat processed for canned foods because of dietary restrictions.

Should public worker furloughs, pay cuts or downsizing be used to help the county deal with lower tax revenues and higher expenses during the pandemic? Why or why not?

We should try not to do furloughs, pay cuts or downsizing but this is not the time to do salary increases or create new agencies within the county.

What specific solutions do you propose to combat homelessness?

Create small villages with basic facilities such as showers, toilets and laundry facilities. Put up basic tent-like structures for housing single occupants; provide lockers for storage of valuables. Provide separate areas for families and when school starts again, provide children with transportation to school.

Do you support reforms to policing in Hawaii? If yes, please explain what reforms you support.

I’m a strong believer in community policing. It really helps when residents know their cops and they are visible in the communities they serve. Although I grew up with guns in our home, I think officers should use their weapons only as a last resort. Officers participating in community events and school activities have really make a difference in our youth programs on Lanai.

Is there anything more that you would like voters to know about you?

I am very approachable and will sit down and talk to anyone. My experience as a reporter helps me to look at both sides of an issue and to work towards finding solutions to problems instead of creating roadblocks. I really enjoy interacting with all kinds of people. I support Maui County’s non-profit organizations that help our community’s residents in so many different ways. I also have a special place in my heart for the Maui Humane Society and the Lanai Cat Sanctuary for caring for our dogs and cats.