City Council member Donovan Dela Cruz — angered by what he sees as the mayor's use of city funds for self-promotion — wants to make it a misdemeanor for the mayor or other elected officials to use their image or voice in public information campaigns.

But Dela Cruz's plan makes his cause seem more personal than practical. Bill 34 would prohibit "printing and display of pictures or likenesses" of elected city officials on city-funded written materials distributed or displayed to the public. It would also prohibit the voice or name of an elected city official to be broadcast in a city-funded radio ad.

This is neither necessary nor sensible.

It's true that Mayor Mufi Hannemann puts his picture on things like print ads promoting events like Earth Hour and recycling campaigns. It's common practice among executive-branch leaders to put their face up front when dealing with city or state policies and programs. Hannemann is not alone in this regard.

It's also true that Hannemann has used city funds to promote the city administration's views on the $3.7 billion rail project and to explain the city's position on costly secondary treatment at the Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant. Getting the word out on these crucial projects is prudent policy, allowing folks to comment on these projects, armed with information.

Certainly government leaders should be careful about how they spend taxpayers' money. That spending should be clearly and publicly reported and open to debate. And voters should hold Hannemann and others accountable on this score.

Still, Bill 34 would not eliminate these public information efforts. It would only ensure that Hannemann's actual voice is not used nor his name mentioned in connection with these or other city projects.

At a time when the city is considering weighty issues, such as transit, taxes and more, pursuing petty personality squabbles is a waste of time. Let's move on to the more important issues.