MPLA redistributes hire-and-fire power

The Marianas Public Lands Authority board of directors, in a move that could end political squabbling among its members, has stripped the chairwoman of her authority to hire and fire employees, and barred members from making decisions concerning any employee related to them.

During a meeting on Rota on Wednesday, the MPLA board adopted a resolution to redistribute equally among board members the authority to hire and/or terminate employees.

The resolution was signed by all the board members present at the meeting. They are MPLA chair Ana Demapan-Castro, and board members Nicolas Nekai, Benita Manglona, and Felix Sasamoto.

The only other board member, MPLA vice chair Manuel Villagomez, was not able to make it due to health reasons.

“In the interest and spirit of cooperation and teamwork, the board hereby rescinds the delegation of authority given to the chairperson to hire and/or terminate employees and that each board member shall have equal powers to hire and/or terminate employees when gathered in a published meeting,” a portion of the resolution reads.

The resolution also clarified that a majority vote of the board should constitute an official board action, particularly when the matter being decided upon concerns the hiring or termination of any employer.

“Whenever a board member has a conflict of interest to make a decision pertaining to any employee[s] who is a relative, either by blood or adoption, that board member shall not participate in any decision or action pertaining to the related employee,” the resolution further stated.

A new policy was established for renewing employment contracts. Under the new rule, an employment contract may be renewed without the approval of the majority of the board members. If no board action is taken before the contract expires, then the employee’s position will be deemed vacant and must be re-announced.

The board also appointed Nekai as chair of the personnel committee. Nekai replaces Demapan-Castro.

Moreover, the board resolved to delegate to the commissioner full and complete authority to hire and/or terminate employees below his position, subject to the concurrence of the personnel committee chair or the full board in a published meeting.

In an interview, Demapan-Castro expressed hope that the resolution would restore harmony within the MPLA board.

She said the resolution took a huge part of the discussion during Wednesday’s meeting, which, she said, went smoothly and was “very productive.”

During the meeting, the board also approved the Marianas Visitors Authority’s request for renewal of its authority over public lands designated as tourist sites, as well as a request to designate a lot for the new Garapan Head Start Center.

Demapan-Castro said the board also discussed the newly enacted amendments to the Land Compensation Act.

Gov. Juan N. Babauta threatened last week to dissolve the MPLA board if its members failed to resolve their differences over the employment of former commissioner Henry Hofschneider.

Acting on the authority given to her in July 2003 by Villagomez and then board members Pedro Igitol and Pedro Atalig, the MPLA chair suspended suspended Hofschneider last July.

On Sept. 17, Villagomez, Nekai, and Sasamoto attempted to reverse Demapan-Castro’s order by signing a memorandum instructing Hofschneider to return to work. Sasamoto and Nekai subsequently rescinded their support and signature, rendering the memo invalid.

Only Villagomez, who is the first cousin of Hofschneider’s father, stood firm.

Earlier this month, Demapan-Castro appointed Edward Deleon Guerrero as the new commissioner. Both Demapan-Castro and Hofschneider’s camps remain mum on the issue of Hofschneider’s employment status with MPLA. They are currently involved in litigation in the U.S. District Court.

Three MPLA meetings have since been postponed due to the board members’ differences, including one that the three board members called for.