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Committee forwards two Veterans Advisory Committee nominees to full council with favorable recommendations
Summary
The committee voted unanimously (9-0) to forward Mayor Alameda's nominations of Edwin B. Guzman and Reginald G. Alexander to the full council with favorable recommendations; both nominees described long records of veterans service and benefits work.
The Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs voted to forward two mayoral nominees to the full council with favorable recommendations: Edwin B. Guzman and Reginald G. Alexander. The committee recorded nine ayes on both motions.
Mike Alameda, executive assistant to the mayor, introduced both nominees. Introducing Edwin B. Guzman, Alameda said Guzman would serve a term expiring Dec. 31, 2030 if confirmed and summarized Guzman's U.S. Army Reserve service and decades of work with the federal Department of Veterans Affairs.
Nominee Edwin B. Guzman described his work as a readjustment counselor in post-traumatic stress programs and said his mission has been to help combat veterans reintegrate and regain everyday abilities. "A lot of them are still stuck out there," Guzman said, summarizing his approach to helping veterans reconnect with family and community supports.
Alameda introduced Reginald "Reggie" G. Alexander as having senior Navy advisory roles and extensive post-service work helping veterans access benefits. Alexander said he has about 26 years of Navy service and roughly a decade serving veterans locally with the Veterans Benefits Administration; he said his experience links the Veterans Benefits Administration, state and county providers and can help veterans get the benefits they deserve.
Council members praised both nominees. Council member Connie Lee Kleinfelder, Council member Kerkowitz and Council member Eustace each thanked the nominees for their service and expressed support for forwarding the nominations to the full council.
Committee action: The committee voted to close the files on Communications 750 and 751 and forward the nominations of Edwin B. Guzman and Reginald G. Alexander for the Veterans Advisory Committee to the full council with favorable recommendations; the clerk recorded nine ayes on each motion.
Ending: The committee moved from nominations to the next agenda item, a parks-related resolution.
Sources and speakers: Mike Alameda (mayor's office), nominees Edwin B. Guzman and Reginald G. Alexander, and council members who spoke during the March 3 meeting in Hilo.
