La Hemo Kula 2008
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Add your commentHuge Hikes in Water Rates Planned for West Molokai
As resources run low, residents may bare the brunt.
By Jennifer Smith
In the midst of a face-off to see who will have to take over utility services on Molokai, the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has been forced to propose staggeringly high rate increases for West End users. While, the proposed increase is meant to be a short-term fix for a potentially long-term problem, many are left wondering whether or not residents will be able to foot the bill.
The PUC is proposing a 121 percent increase for Wai’ola o Molokai users and a 41 percent increase for Molokai Public Utilities, Inc., users. Both companies provide water utility services to the central and west end of the island. In March, Molokai Properties Limited (MPL), who owns the companies, announced its plans to abandon both subsidiaries in addition to its regulated sewer utility Mosco, Inc.
The PUC hopes the temporary rate increases will offset the utility companies’ losses allowing services to continue until either a public or private provider can take over. But a debate rages on between the PUC, MPL, the state, and Maui County over whose kuleana it is to step in.
MPL Attempts to Defy PUC Order
In a June 5 letter to MPL, the PUC ordered the company to continue providing utility services. However, “the utilities can only do what they have the resources to do,” MPL CEO Peter Nicholas said, in a June 11 letter to the PUC.
MPL advanced its utility companies a total of $580,000 in the 2007 fiscal year, and $566,000 for 11 months of 2008 for operating and capital improvements. After taking into account workers’ wages, tax obligations, and payments for goods and services, Nicholas said the companies cannot afford to continue operations.
MPL runs three additional unregulated utility companies. Because the one water company and two wastewater treatment systems are unregulated the PUC cannot order MPL to continue service, but the Commission has made a formal request.
“We do not agree with you (PUC) that the utilities have a duty to service their customers when they are insolvent and unable to do so,” Nicholas said.
Unprecedented Action
While many wonder why the financially stable MPL is not held accountable, Chairman Abbey Mayer said in the Molokai Action Team’s May meeting that it can be very difficult to hold a parent company responsible for the debts of its subsidiaries. He also noted that it is very difficult to force a private company to continue operating at a loss.
Recognizing MPL’s financial limitations, the PUC had no choice but to, “take the unprecedented step of opening a rate case proceeding to order a temporary rate increase,” according to a June 13 letter from the PUC to Nicholas.
The Commission has also reiterated its request to MPL for a transition plan for continued operation beyond August 2008. Other details requested include financial requirements for the three utilities to remain self-sustaining, a description of all utility assets, and an explanation of why Mosco was included in the utility services to be shut down if it is not operating in the red.
The County’s Role
The Commission cannot compel the Utilities to operate in perpetuity, and is consequently looking to the county as the next best utility provider.
In a June 13 letter, the PUC said it is the county’s responsibility to ensure its citizens have access to basic water and wastewater services, and therefore, “urges the county to act expeditiously to do what is necessary to acquire the water and wastewater systems.”
Meanwhile, the county has filed a formal complaint against MPL. The PUC and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs received the document that alleges that the company’s intention to abandon utility services could potentially violate the law.
The complaint also requests that the Commission order MPL to provide a transition plan, investigate the Utilities’ financial records, and provide obtained information to the public.
Looking Out for Consumers
The Division of Consumer Advocacy (DCA) will act on behalf of the customers to decide if the rate increases are reasonable.
“This is unprecedented,” said Catherine Awakuni, Executive Director of the DCA, during Monday’s Action Team meeting. She said normally the utility would request a rate increase instead of the PUC proposing it.
Akwakuni said she has family on Molokai and therefore, has faces to put to names of customers. When considering who will be able to afford the rate hikes, she said that customers may be put into different rate classes.
West End Viewpoints
The West Molokai Homeowners Association (WMA) members have worked primarily behind the scenes thus far, trying to help people realize the wide-spread effect that the closure of the Utilities would have on the island. But members of the organization officially stepped out last week Monday by publicly voicing their concerns during the MAT meeting.
“We are facing a potential water and sewer crisis, said Paul Mordisini, president of the WMA. “Over 3,300 men, women and children who have homes and properties in Maunaloa, Kualapu`u, Kaluakoi, and part of Kalae” would be effected if there was a water and sewage shut down in August.
“We’re not getting a lot of movement,” Mordisini said, explaining that the issue is nearly halfway through the six month deadline that MPL first gave in March. The WMA prepared a two page chronological list of actions to show what its organization and others have done in the past few months.
Members of the WMA attended the MAT meeting in hopes that the team would contact the state.
“There is much by way of finger pointing, but little by way of coordinated efforts to achieve a common goal-that all Molokai have access to a basic necessity of life – water,” Mordisini said.
“I really feel for the West End Homeowners Association,” said Collette Machado, MAT member and OHA trustee. “I didn’t realize this was getting so complicated.”
Several other MAT members agreed with Machado, but were confused as to whether or not it was the group’s place to get involved. At last month’s MAT meeting, Machado sharply criticized and silenced at least one West Molokai resident who had asked the group for help regarding West End utilities.
MAT member Barbara Kalipi recommended the WMA recruit unaffected community members to help support their cause. “It’s got to be done in the community.”
Voicing Community Concerns
“There is also no guarantee that the ratepayers can afford the increased rates,” according to the PUC.
The county and the PUC will hold forums in July to hear community concerns.
Council Member Danny Mateo and Mayor Charmaine Tavares will host a community meeting on July 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Mitchell Pauole Center.
“We would like to assure Molokai that the County is doing everything possible to protect the community’s rights to essential needs such as water and sewer service,” said Council Member Mateo, in a press release.
The PUC will be holding a public hearing on the proposed rate increases on July 15 at 10 a.m. at Maunaloa Elementary School. For more information contact Kaiulani Kidani Shinsato, Commission counsel at 586-2020.
If approved, these rate increases would be in effect for a period of six months, unless otherwise ordered by the PUC. There is no rate increase proposed for Mosco, as the company appears to be operating at a profit.
Getting Molokai in the Right Zone
County brings zoning inspectors to the island.
"These visits will provide additional access to department staff for residents in these distant communities," Mayor Charmaine Tavares said in a press release.
Visiting inspectors will be available to answer questions regarding zoning and enforcement, as well as conduct on-site property inspections. The inspectors will also be available by appointment during each visit, and the department anticipates an initial schedule of eight appointments per visit.
Typical zoning and enforcement issues that are investigated include non-permitted uses under Title 19 of the County Code, such as setbacks, non-permitted TVRs and doing business on properties that do not allow such uses; signage (under Title 16); and doing work in Special Management Areas without prior approval.
Visits to Molokai and Lanai from inspectors with the Zoning Administration and Enforcement Division of the Maui County Planning Department will take part once a month beginning in July.
Molokai visits will be held the second Friday of each month from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Mitchell Pauole Center, located at 100 Ainoa St., Kaunakakai. If the visit falls on a holiday, it will be held the previous Thursday. However, for the July 11 visit only, office hours will be 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
For Molokai appointments, contact Tammy Osurman at (808) 270-6194 or the Maui County Planning Department at (808) 270-7253. To call toll-free from Molokai, dial 1-800-272-0117 and ask for extension 6194.
For more information on the visits, call the Planning Department at 270-7235.
The Future of the Northwest Hawaiian Islands
Setting the standard for the care of the marine managed area.
Midway is best known as the location of the Battle of Midway, fought in World War II. Today it is the only place within the Monument open for recreation.
By Jennifer Smith
Once the training ground for celestial navigation, and the site for generations of Native Hawaiian practices of cultural and spiritual rights, the Northwest Hawaiian Islands make up nearly three-fourths of the Hawaiian Archipelago. Realizing the significance of the islands and the increasing threats to native habitats from invasive species and increasing outside interest in the area, the islands were recognized as Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in June 2006.
Two years later, the three managing agencies have returned to the Main Hawaiian Islands seeking input from local communities on a 1200 page Draft Monument Management Plan. The document provides a 15 year plan for the fully protected marine managed area.
“My concern is whether or not you have looked to the practitioners,” said Vanda Hanakahi, cultural specialist and chairperson of the `Aha Kiole Advisory Committee. “You need to talk to the people who have knowledge.”
Hanakahi is particularly concerned about the accessibility of the area to practitioners and Native Hawaiian fishermen. “Traditional practitioners need to be given special consideration.”
“We agree this should be preserved,” said Opu`ulani Albino, Hawaiian Immersion School educator, echoing the need to include more local knowledge in the plan.
Albino asked how much community feedback has been received, and suggested adding people from Molokai on the panel. She said cultural practitioners should be involved on every level because they have the `ike.
As a Hawaiian, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) Superintendent ‘Aulani Wilhelm said she struggles with the need to have more Hawaiian involvement all the time. She thanked the community for “the most engaged testimony we have had by far.”
“I would like to see more of this talk in the school system,” said Molokai High School graduate Kawai Puaa-Spencer. “If it was, I would have gone to school more,” he said half jokingly.
Puaa-Spencer and three other `opio present stressed the importance of educating students on Papahanaumokuakea, and preserving resources throughout all of the Hawaiian Islands.
“We need to better manage our ecosystem,” said local fisherman Kekama Helm. He agreed that the area could be better managed, but said he doesn’t believe in no catch zones for Hawaiian fishermen. “We realize that with practicing comes responsibility.”
While only about a dozen community members attended the public meeting held last week Monday at Kulana `Oiwi, those who did attend provided well-received comments.
Mikiala Pescaia thanked the Papahanaumokuakea staff for coming to Molokai. She said the organization has been very good about returning to the island to host public meetings, and said the low attendance was a positive sign.
“If they’re not here, it’s a good thing,” Pescaia said, explaining that the plan must be a good one; otherwise the community would be there to say otherwise.
Nearly 14 representatives from Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), NOAA, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) attended the meeting.
Since the government declaration of the area as a recognized Monument, Papahanaumokuakea staff helped to reopen Midway Atoll, unify the permitting process, restore native habitats, and remove countless invasive species.
It took nearly 16 months of preparation to create an inter-agency jurisdiction that met the needs of all three agencies and even now, the plan will be revisited throughout the years to gage progress.
Testimony on the Papahanaumokuakea Draft Monument Management Plan will be received through July 8. Copies of the plan are available at any Hawaii State library, at www.papahanaumokuakea.gov, or by calling 808.792.9530.
To submit comments email PMNM_MMP_Comments@fws.gov or send to Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 5-231, Box 50167, Honolulu, Hawaii 96850.
Meet the Molokai Dispatch Again for the First Time
Kids, Politics and Hawaiian Culture – the foundation of this island newspaper.
By Todd Yamashita
The first time I had my picture printed in a newspaper I was 15 years old and crazy about skateboarding. George Peabody of the Molokai Advertiser News snapped a shot as I was doing tricks off a launch ramp in Kualapu`u. I’ll never forget how proud I felt featured in print for all of Molokai to see.
Almost two decades later, I don’t really launch off of anything anymore, but I am still excited about newspapers and the positive changes they can make within our community. This is precisely why you’ll find news in the Molokai Dispatch that focuses on youth, culture, history, leadership and community voice – the foundation of a healthy community.
Keiki
A few months ago I was visited by Leslie Florea whose mother, the late Myrle Florea, started the Molokai Dispatch in 1985. She said that when her mother had first created the paper, its focus was on the keiki.
“It would be nice to see the kids come back, to see the children write stories again,” was Leslie’s friendly advice to me.
We’ve always done our best to include youth news, but the inclusion of the Keiki Dispatch page added several weeks ago, has helped us come full circle.
The Keiki Dispatch is a collaboration between Kamehameha Schools and the Department of Education showcasing the poetry, art, and writing of elementary students across the island. It is a fine example of the beauty and inspiration of which Molokai children are capable.
Politics
The initial years of the Dispatch were also steeped in politics. This was not strictly an indication of its owners or editor, but more that the Dispatch reflected Molokai’s spirit of activism and cultural awareness of the time.
A quarter century later, our island views have remained, and the Molokai Dispatch returns to honor those roots.
I always tell people not from here that Molokai is the most political place on the planet for its size. Where else can you see tailgating, T-shirts, hula, chanting and prayer involved in public meetings that can go until midnight and span the course of days?
The beautiful thing about Molokai politics, besides the occasional hula, is that it is democracy at its finest. Grandmas, uncles, youth and the everyday person show up to speak their mind because in the end, our voices are heard and corresponding change is made.
Activism
When did “activism” and “activists” become bad words? We owe the birth of the Hawaiian Renaissance to a small group of renegades who had a vision for a better future. Many of these activists came from and still live on Molokai.
In fact, those who know Molokai’s history can tell you that this island is defined by consistent activism. Before western contact, Molokai was known for its political, economic and spiritual independence. That tradition remains unbroken today.
Too often, mainstream government is over-manipulated by the agenda of individuals or profit driven corporations who seek to gain at the loss of the community or the environment. More times than not it is community activists - community advocates, who bring accountability to the selfish motivations of others. This balancing act is a true gift.
The Molokai Dispatch supports and celebrates Molokai’s spirit of politically active and informed groups and individuals who are striving to find a better way.
Hawaiian Culture
Pidgin English is a combination of Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, Filipino, English and other languages. But the intonation and sentence structure are mainly Hawaiian. Molokai is the same way.
With a 60% indigenous population, Molokai is predominantly Hawaiian. Although Molokai is made of a patchwork of ethnicities, Hawaiian culture is the underlying foundation which unites us all.
Everyone loves Molokai, whether they live here or not. There are many reasons to love Molokai, but above all the Friendly Isle is cherished for the beauty of its land, the warmth of its people, and the richness of its culture.
For over a thousand years, Hawaiians have prospered on this 38 mile long and 10 mile wide island. In the process they’ve created a framework for aloha `aina, aloha `ohana, and aloha Ke Akua. This set of values is augmented by their rich culture and tradition.
The Molokai Dispatch believes that in celebrating and perpetuating Hawaiian culture, we are supporting a framework for all other cultures and traditions to flourish within. Imua!
A Biased Newspaper?
The Molokai Dispatch is biased towards the betterment of Molokai. We seldom print news that does not directly affect Molokai readers. Nor do we choose to print slanderous advertising or letters that forward personal agendas.
We aim at printing news and information that contributes to a healthy and informed community. We prefer news that is reported in a positive manner, and feel subjects that are challenging and passionate in nature should be accompanied with solutions.
At the end of the day our viewpoint and opinion will side with the greater community. Time and again, this island has democratically decided what is best for itself. The Molokai Dispatch will always support Molokai’s spirit of self determination.
Molokai News, Molokai Style
While you might not find stories covering every event in the week, you will find quality news that is comprehensive and insightful, written in a way that is meaningful to our Molokai readers. We value quality and depth above quantity and volume.
Above all, we attempt to report information that will inspire new ideas and encourage dialogue which will result in the empowerment of our community, thus perpetuating Molokai’s unique cultural legacy.
Leslie Florea paid us perhaps the best compliment when she said, “I give you a lot of credit for reporting honesty instead of just what people want to hear because it’s not one in the same. At the end of the day it’s not necessarily what we leave behind it’s what we inspire in others.”
Mahalo Nui Loa to Leslie, our new and longstanding advertisers who make this newspaper free, and to our loyal contributors, readers and their families who are the ultimate inspiration of the Molokai Dispatch.
By Order of Kamehameha
Kalaniana`ole Hall restoration breaks ground.
Thanks to the help of Staff Sergeant Lester Delos Reyes, 11 members of the National Guard helped with construction the first week of the project.
By Jennifer Smith
In 1937 by order of Kamehameha, the first gathering place for Native Hawaiians in the Territory of Hawaii opened its doors on Molokai. Kalaniana`ole Hall served as a place for Hawaiian families to care for the sick and provide the dead with a fitting burial.
The hall would go on to be listed on the State Register of Historic Places and serve as a clubhouse to support social gatherings. From community meetings and hula lessons, to martial arts practices and movie screenings, several generations of Molokai community residents have memories in the hall.
Unfortunately, over 70 years of hard weather and frequent use have deteriorated the building into almost disrepair. Luckily thanks to the continued support of community members and several organizations, the restoration of Kalaniana`ole Hall will soon bring the building back to its original beauty.
A blessing held last week Monday marked the beginning of what will hopefully be somewhere between a three to five month restoration.
Kupuna of Kalamaula and members of Halau O Kawananakoa Helu Elima, the Molokai chapter of Hale O Na Alii O Hawaii and current owners of the hall, reminisced as Reverend Anna Lou Arakaki began the ceremony with a pule. Aunty Sheila Awana followed with a blessing for the building, which was also the site of her high school graduation.
“We are trying to bring it back to what it was like when it was first built,” said David Bayly, foreman for Stein and Son, Inc., the company hired to conduct the restoration. He said the completion date will be dependent on time and materials.
The company is trying to use as much of the original building as possible, but Bayly said the building is old and full of termites. “Another year or so and we would have had to bulldoze it, but I think we caught it in time.”
The Maui based company has done several other restoration projects, including Keomuku Church on Lanai, Pioneer Inn and other buildings on Front Street in Lahaina.
On Monday Stein and Son, Inc., brought in four more workers, and two local carpenters to assist in the restoration.
And with the help of Staff Sergeant Lester Delos Reyes, 11 members of the National Guard made a big dent in the first week of construction.
“We were fortunate to get involved,” Lieutenant Dale Balsis said. “We are trying to help out the community … so they have a gathering place.”
The National Guard members were here for one week on their annual training. According to Lieutenant Balsis this was their first restoration/demolition, they typically build from the ground up.
“It was really exciting for the guys,” to learn something new and help out the community in the process, Lieutenant Balsis said.
Mycrogen also donated a crew and backhoe to help speed up the work. Community volunteers provided meals for the crews last week.
“The renewal of Kalaniana`ole Hall means keeping the memories of past generations alive for the benefit of generations to come,” said Stacy Crivello, Molokai Enterprise Community (EC) president, in a press release.
The EC, also known as Ke Aupuni Lokahi (KAL), Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), Friends of Kalaniana`ole Hall, Lokahi Pacific, USDA Rural Development, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and Halau O Kawananakoa Helu Elima, were among the organizations who came together to make the restoration of the hall a reality.
“We want to go back to the concept of Native Hawaiians being presented to death with dignity,” said Billy Akutagawa, member of the Friends of Kalaniana`ole Hall. He said the restoration has been a long time coming, and is excited to see it underway.
According to Akutagawa a dedication was held about three years ago for the hall, but with only $100,000 and a large dependence on a volunteer based workforce, the restoration hit several stumbling blocks. However, a license agreement between KAL, DHHL, and Halau O Kawananakoa Helu Elima now ensures that the building will finally receive the much needed care it deserves.
To date, funds committed include $550,000 from OHA through the efforts of Trustee Colette Machado, $55,000 from KAL, and $100,000 from USDA Rural Development. Plans for the restoration were prepared by Mason Architects, Inc., an architectural firm specializing in historic preservation. Maui Architectural Group, also with historic preservation expertise, has also contributed to the process.
Hawaiian Telcom Residential Customers Can Receive Free Phones
Phones will work even when power goes out
The corded telephones work on the low-level electrical current provided from Hawaiian Telcom central offices, which have back-up power systems in case of emergencies. “In the aftermath of the October 2006 earthquake, most other phone services could not operate without electricity,” Brown said, “but Hawaiian Telcom’s reliable landline home phone service kept operating, providing an added level of safety to our customers who could continue to reach emergency services and loved ones.”
Ilia Reyes, Record Breaker!
Local boy out-swims competition in championship event.
2008 Long Course Age Group Swimming Championships held at the Veterans'
Memorial Aquatics Center from June 12-15. Reyes, swimming for the Kamehameha Swim Club, was on three record-breaking relay teams and earned two individual gold medals during the course of the four-day meet.
On day 1, Reyes swam on the 400 M Freestyle Relay team. Well-known for his quick starts, Reyes led off the relay and was followed by Brett Gomes, Mitchell Chong, and Kekoa Taparra. The quartet finished within two seconds of breaking the state record.
The second day of competition for Reyes involved the trials of the 50 M Free and the 200 M Free events. Reyes earned the top seed for the 50 Meter event and the fifth seed for the 200 Meter event in the morning prelims. Although he placed fifth in the finals of the 200 M Free, Reyes and Gomes waged a tremendous battle in the 50 M Free and both swimmers were rewarded with a tie for the gold medal.
The day concluded with the 400 M Medley relay. The Hawaiian record of 4:08.00 went crashing down after Chong, Kila Pickering, Gomes, and Reyes were done with their swims. With Reyes swimming the anchor leg (freestyle) and splitting a :54.29, the foursome clocked an outstanding 4:05.29 to close the day's swims.
On Saturday, Reyes had only one individual event but it was his specialty, the 100 M Free. Entering with a seed time of :55.74, Reyes swam a :54.45 in the prelims and earned the top seed for the finals. In the finals, Reyes blazed to a :53.71 and another gold medal.
As they did the night before, the team of Chong, Pickering, Gomes, and Reyes closed the day's events by bringing down the 200 M Medley Relay Hawaiian record of 1:52.82, lowering the mark to 1:51.70, and adding another gold medal around their necks in the process.
Sunday's events brought the anticipation of the meet concluding with another record. The final event was the 200 M Free Relay. Again, Reyes led off and was followed by Pickering, Chong, and Gomes. The record of 1:39.30 didn't stand up to the performance of the four swimmers as they established a new mark of 1:38.62.
For the meet, the Kamehameha Swim Club totaled 1,952 points and more than doubled the second place team.
Former age group coach Lloyd Yonemura teamed with Dain Kane behind the mics to call the action throughout the entire meet. Both officials marveled at the performance of Yonemura's former swimmer. "He's done very well since he left our pool and has faster swimming ahead of him. Now that he's on the UH-Manoa swim team, he's training harder and longer. You can see it in his performances and you can feel his confidence rising. I'm so proud of his accomplishments over the years!"
Congratulations to Ilia and his teammates of the Kamehameha Swim Club!
Ex-Ranch Employees Get Back to Work
A fifth of laid-off workers have found jobs.
Months after the devastating closure of Molokai Ranch in April, displaced workers persevere in the face of a tough job market. With over a fifth of the workers with new employment, steady progress continues to be made in the effort to get people back to work.
“So far they’ve been in really good spirits,” said Alberta Patchen, manager for the Kaunakakai Workforce Development Division (WDD). The WDD is one of several government agencies busy trying to assist nearly 60 former Molokai Ranch employees find work.
Of the 98 employees on a list released from Molokai Ranch, 23 are back to work, 8 are still working for the Ranch, 10 haven’t filed unemployment claims, 1 has filed a temporary disability insurance claim, and 1 has filed a workman’s compensation claim.
However, back to work could mean anything from being on call, to relying on a previously obtained second job. The difficulty comes in finding long term positions for the displaced workers.
“The good thing about Molokai Ranch workers is that they have been employed for a while,” Patchen said, explaining that most displaced employees have strong motivations to get back to work. “We’re hopeful.”
Displaced Ranch workers will soon receive additional support from nearly $390,000 in grant money. Hawaii Department of Labor (DOL) received last week, a federal grant to help with re-employment services including skills assessment, individual career counseling and occupational skills training.
The grant is a “helping hand to laid-off Molokai Ranch workers, as they seek new jobs,” said Senator Daniel K. Inouye, in a press release. “Loss of employment, especially due to circumstances beyond your control, is a painful experience.”
The grant is expected to help about 60 displaced workers.
Molokai General Hospital has also completed a grant application asking the Hawaii Medical Services Association (HSMA) Foundation for assistance in paying former Ranch employees’ COBRA medical premiums for six months. The grant would assist employees with, or employees who have family members with chronic illnesses.
Returning to school is also an option for displaced workers who would like to enhance their resumes. The University of Hawaii recently released funds to help former employees of Molokai Ranch, Aloha Airlines, ATA Airlines, NCL America, and the Weyerhaeuser Corporation gain training in the classroom. The fund is effective until June 2009, and provides a one-time only 50% discount to the cost of tuition, up to a maximum of $500 per eligible laid-off employees.
“We are very encouraging to have them go back to school,” Patchen said. “But we realize they still need to keep their finances up.”
Patchen witnessed other historical hits to unemployment on the island such as the exit of Del Monte’s pineapple plantations and the closure of the Kaluakoi hotel, and said the best advice for displaced workers is to keep their spirits up and keep applying for jobs.
Timing can sometimes make the difference in getting a job or not, as application deadlines are often tight. The WDD tries to get the word out about work quickly, and then helps in making sure that applicants follow through. The goal is to get an interview, Patchen said.
In an attempt to make the application process as painless as possible, the WDD’s resource room is open Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Job seekers can visit the office any time and use the computers, copy and fax machines, and receive one-on-one assistance.
The WDD is asking employers who have job openings to please give them a call so that the opening can be listed. For more information call 553-1755.
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