Open letter to the governor

The prospect of losing Federal Highway funds as reported in the local papers is, to put it mildly, very disturbing. The alleged non-compliance with Federal Highways requirements could have been avoided by having qualified and experienced design, construction and management personnel to run the program. The non-complied items like inspection and project diaries, adequate quantity computation and verification for payment, careful development and documentation of change orders, etc., are basic project requirements inherent to all kinds of projects and not just for Federal Highways projects.

I was hired as Highways Engineer by the TSD, DPW, CNMI in 1979 from the Pennsylvania Dept. of Transportation. Unfortunately, I was not able to work effectively with my immediate supervisor, Chief TSD. In the nine months I was with the DPW, I organized the CNMI Highways department, coordinated with the Federal High Officials in the designation of the CNMI Federal Highway System to qualify for Highway grants, and supervised highway project designs.

Three years ago, I was encouraged by a friend working at CNMI DPW to send my resume of qualification to Mr. Smith, Chief, TSD., DPW, which I did personally through the TSD Secretary. Since I have not heard from he TSD Office for quite sometime, I was again urged by my friend to see Mr. Smith but I was told to wait and I waited the whole morning but was not able to see him because he was with somebody I was told.

On Sept. 29, 1998, I received all from Peter Camacho, DPW Office, Gualo Rai, requesting me to submit my application for a Civil Engineer position which I submitted the following day.
I have not heard from them to date. I wonder if I will ever hear from them. As far as I know, my application is still pending at this time they are desperately looking for a licensed engineer. Intriguing isn’t it.?

I am a Professional Civil Engineer registered, among other States and Territories, in t he CNMI. I am a retired Highway and Bridge Engineer from the Navy Department on Guam. I believe that my experience and qualification could fit into the DPW requirements for a Civil Engineer position.

I disagree with Mr. Smith when he said “it could take months” before they have a licensed engineer onboard. It may take months if he prefers off-island hire over local hire; otherwise, it will take forever if they process applications like they did to mine.

B. Q. Calixterio, P. E.

Civil Engineer