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Borja affirms non-renewal of directors
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Posted on Mar 31 2005
Tinian Mayor Francisco M. Borja stands pat in his decision to let go of two resident directors despite a reported threat of the possible revocation of his authority.
“I stand by my decision which is not to renew their employment contracts,” said Borja.
The Tinian mayor had decided not to renew the contracts of resident directors Ernie Hofschneider of Public Works and Norbert Hofschneider of Commerce. Borja said he has already replaced Norbert Hofschneider with parks and maintenance section supervisor Matthew Masga.
He also clarified, “ I didn’t terminate them. I just decided not to renew their contracts.”
Borja said that as mayor, he has the discretion to appoint and dismiss directors. “If you have the appointing authority, I believe you have the ‘firing’ authority. If I can hire them, then I can remove them,” said the mayor.
As far as he is concerned, the non-renewal of the two directors’ contracts “is a non-issue.”
He said it is the local opposition party, the Republican Party, that is making it an issue.
He said he has discussed the matter with Gov. Juan N. Babauta, who was earlier reported to have written the mayor threatening to revoke the latter’s authority if the terminated directors are not reinstated.
“We’ve discussed my concerns. I know that the governor, although he is a politician, understands local autonomy,” said Borja.
Meantime, the mayor confirmed that Lands and Natural Resources director Ray Cing remains at his post.
“I didn’t terminate him. It’s just a mistake,” he said.
The municipality of Tinian has total FTEs of 161. Based on documents, two of these FTEs are not funded.
Tinian government employees receive annual salaries that range from a low of $15,000 to a high of $50,000.
Records showed that there are three municipal employees receiving $50,000 annual salary. They are public relations and community outreach program chief Bernadita DLG. San Nicolas, chief executive officer Allen Perez, and mayor’s senior aide Henry DLG. San Nicolas.
The mayor, like the three other mayors in the CNMI, receives a $43,200 base pay.
