Lorraine Babauta gets a one-day reprieve

Installing a new Commonwealth Utilities Corp. executive director is proving to be a little difficult for the CUC board of directors, with various concerns being raised by government officials and community members.

Accordingly, the CUC board of directors failed to make a final decision on the planned replacement of current executive director Lorraine Babauta. After discussing the matter behind closed doors for over 30 minutes, board members decided to call a recess and continue the meeting at 1pm today.

In an interview, acting CUC chair Herman P. Sablan said the board members needed more information on the legal issues surrounding the proposed action.

“We need to seek more legal advice. We’re not going to move until everybody is happy and satisfied,” Sablan said.

Members of the public were given a chance to speak before the board went on executive session during yesterday’s meeting.

Rep. David Apatang asked the board to reconsider its plan to replace Babauta until she comes back from Hawaii, where she is currently attending a seminar at CUC’s expense. He also criticized the board for allegedly micromanaging the utility firm.

“I don’t see why she should be terminated. As a board, your sole responsibility is to make policy and give her direction. Let her do her job. You cannot continue to interfere with the operation of CUC. She won’t be able to function because she’s too busy listening to you. She should be given the opportunity to exercise her position as executive director,” Apatang said.

He also expressed confidence that Babauta was qualified for the job, noting her years of employment with the utility firm.

Saipan Chamber of Commerce Alex Sablan opposed the plan to hire former American Samoa Power Authority executive director Abe Malea without allowing qualified locals to apply for the job.

“We just want to ask the board to make this an open process. Before we hire somebody from outside to run our own business, we should at least make an offer to our own people,” Sablan said.

Pamela Mathis, CUC special adviser for corporate communications, reminded the board of the provisions of Public Law 10-27, or the CUC Effective Corporate Management Act of 1996.

“You said that Mrs. Babauta is not being fired, but you also mentioned something about shifting of positions within the management. As your protocol officer, I would like to remind you of the statutes regarding the removal of an executive director,” Mathis told the board.

She cited a provision in Section 3 of the act stating that: “The Executive Director, Comptroller and any other officer may be dismissed by affirmative vote of a majority membership of the board. Any officer subject to dismissal under this subsection may request a public hearing before the board; and in the event of such a request, no dismissal shall be effective unless voted by the board at the conclusion of or subsequent to such hearing.”