Please support request to Governor Lingle to fill vacancies at the State Historic Preservation Division

[Jill Byus Radke]

Aloha,

Please contact Governor Linda Lingle in support of filling vacant positions at the State Historic Preservation Division.

 

The Governor has instituted a hiring freeze across the State in response to falling revenues (http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008809130331)  Any exceptions to the restriction need to be approved by her personally.

 

The State Historic Preservation Division, which was already understaffed, has seven vacancies.  SHPD has requested exemptions in order to fill five of the positions, including two Architectural Historian vacancies that are 90% funded by federal grants.

 

Please contact Governor Lingle at governo...@hawaii.gov and support the Division’s request to fill these positions.  A sample message is written below, but can be personalized to reflect your own thoughts.  Support can also be faxed to 808 586-0006.  The mailing address is Hawaii State Capitol, 415 S. Beretania St., 5^th Floor, Honolulu, HI 96813.  The telephone number 808 586-0034.

 

Thank you for continuing to support preservation in Hawai‘i.  The State is a critical partner in this endeavor and it needs qualified professionals to make the system function.

 

Mahalo,

Kiersten

 

Kiersten Faulkner, AICP

Executive Director

Historic Hawai'i Foundation

www.historichawaii.org

 

 

SAMPLE MESSAGE

 

The Honorable Linda Lingle

Governor, State of Hawai‘i

Hawaii State Capitol

415 S. Beretania St., 5^th Floor

Honolulu, HI 96813

 

RE: Support for Request to Fill Vacancies at State Historic Preservation Division

 

Dear Governor Lingle:

 

Please approve the request from the State Historic Preservation Division to fill five vacant positions and grant a waiver to the State’s hiring freeze.

 

The two Architectural Historian positions are 90% funded through a federal grant.  It is fiscally responsible for the State to contribute the remaining 10% to fill these critically important positions.

 

The Architectural Historians work with public agencies, private citizens and businesses on identifying and avoiding impacts to historic sites.  They work directly with the development community, community organizations and homeowners in reviewing permits, nominations to the Register of Historic Places, and applications for federal and county preservation tax programs.  Without these positions being filled by qualified professionals, many projects will be delayed or stopped, leading to frustration by applicants.  In addition, the historic places will suffer from a lack of qualified reviewers.  Incentive programs designed to encourage reinvestment will not have staff support, causing more delays.

 

The Division also needs to fill at least three additional vacant positions in order to manage its workload and provide timely responses to the applicants, clients and citizens who need these services.

 

Please approve the exceptions to the hiring freeze that will allow SHPD to meet its mandates and help preserve the historic legacy of Hawaii.

 

Sincerely,

 

(Your Name)