Posts
Above photo;
Glenn Mickensin in 1953 as a pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers
|
James "Kimo" Rosen is a retired professional photographer
and amongst other things lived in a tent outdoors for 7 years.
Rosen currently resides on the tropical island of Kaua'i
with his best friend and spiritual adviser Ivanka-Obama, The Bipartisan Dog!
  
Sunrise photos July 2019
(These photos made it to Hawaii News Now)
Photos courtesy,
James "Kimo" Rosen
|
Publishers note;
Aloha Readers,
Glenn was a retired professional baseball player
 |
| For all Glenn's family and friends |
Most important Glenn was a gentleman and decent person who could differ with you but never stooped to name-calling, bullying or character assassination as is the norm these days. Glenn and I were friends and at times had differences of opinions, however, we always had civil debates in our numerous emails over the years. Glenn always ended all his emails in his signature style of,
"Your pal, Glenn." I'm going to miss my pal.
God bless,
James "Kimo" Rosen
Publisher/Blogger-n-chief~dakinetalk blog
Blog #2044~Kimo's world #291
My pal Glenn Mickens will be sorely missed
Glenn Mickens was
locally known
 |
| Glenn Mickens in his home office Photo courtesy of and used with permission of the Garden Island news |
My Friend, Glenn Mickens was a frequent guest-blogger on dakinetalk blog. (this blog)
Glenn was also a prolific letter to the editor and Guest columnist contributor to the Garden Island news and gave frequent testimonies at Kauai county council meetings and other concerning political events. Before becoming friends,
I first encountered Glenn on TV, like so many of you, since all Kaua'i County council meetings are recorded and replayed all week on local government access TV. I once asked Glenn why he never ran for the county council? You're at all the meetings anyhow with notes testifying? His reply was he wouldn't have all the freedoms he does as a private citizen to speak his mind, and that he did, like one of my favorites in nicknaming the Kauai landfill," Mt. Trashmore!"
 |
| Mr. Mickens testified often at Kaua'i county council meetings |
Glenn lived on Kauai with his wife Ruth for the last 28 years. Born July 26, 1930, in Wilmar, California. He was a pitcher in Major League Baseball.
Last but not least Glenn really wanted to see 3 major things happen on Kauai.
1- Give the county manager style of government a chance.
2- Opening up the AJA baseball
3-To build more roads and open the haul roads to accommodate the traffic.
One of Glenn's Favorite expressions
Glenn and I over the years exchanged 100's of emails about the county, state, and national politics. Although on a few subjects we disagreed, such as the multi-use trail,
I am going to sign off to you Glenn,
Your pal,
Kimo
The Garden Island news published an updated version of this blog as a guest column on August 26, 2019!
~My pal, the ‘warrior’ Glenn Mickens~
I saw a recent County Council meeting on TV where they memorialized and honored my friend, nitpicker and county watchdog Glenn Mickens. (BTW, Glenn enjoyed being called a “nitpicker” and “watchdog”) I wish I had been there to testify and eulogize my pal and give my heartfelt sympathy to Glenn’s wife, Ruth.
How many people are honored and memorialized by a group they continued to hound and criticize week after week, month after month, year after year? Although Glenn was known as a county watchdog and nitpicker he was much-loved by not only his friends but his adversaries. Marj Dente said it best at the County Council meeting: “Glenn was not a nitpicker, he was a warrior!”
Glenn and I over the years exchanged 100’s of emails about politics, although on a few subjects we disagreed, such as the multi-use trail, and even the current president. Glenn never name-called and always debated in a civil manner without bullying, name-calling or character assassinations, a lost art these days.
Glenn understood freedom of speech, something we are rapidly losing in this country.
Glenn religiously ended all our frequent email correspondences in his signature style of, “Your pal, Glenn.” When I wrote him back I always signed off in the same manner. I am sure he did this with his many friends.
I first encountered Glenn on TV, like so many of you, since all Kauai County Council meetings are recorded and replayed all week on local government access TV. I once asked Glenn why he never ran for the County Council. “You’re at all the meetings anyhow, with notes, testifying?” His reply was he wouldn’t have all the freedoms he does as a private citizen to speak his mind, and that he did, like one of my favorites in nicknaming the Kauai landfill “ Mt. Trashmore!”
Glenn was a professional baseball player who pitched for a brief time for the Brooklyn Dodgers, and he had the privilege of knowing and playing ball with the great baseball legend Jackie Robinson, who broke the color barrier in baseball history. This may be one of the reasons Glenn was so adamant on trying to get the AJA (Americans of Japanese Ancestry), baseball league, to open its doors to all races and genders. Who knows, this may happen someday.
I heard that after 23 years of testimony and using his favorite quote, “ready, fire, aim,” that the county was laying out asphalt improperly, they finally corrected their actions from Glenn’s continued, patient efforts.
Heaven now has Glenn to be their watchdog, not that heaven needs a watchdog. Now there’s something for a civil debate.
Glenn was truly a warrior, but most importantly, to me and so many others, he was a true friend and ‘pal.’
•••
Additional readings on Glenn Mickens!
Please read my blog titled, Glenn Mickens deserves better published on 07-10-17.
Former Garden Island journalist Tommy LaVenture called it, my best writing.
Also as a tribute to Glenn enclosed is a link to visit all 30
of his guest blogs published on dakinetalk blog;
Hana Hou,(Encore)
