Previous Story
Rota council members get more power
|
Posted on Sep 29 2008
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial has signed into law a bill setting guidelines for the designation of an acting mayor and acting chairperson of the municipal council for Rota.
The Rota bill became a local law after the governor approved it on Friday, Sept. 26, 2008.
Previously, the Rota mayor has the power to appoint whomever he chooses to serve as acting mayor when the mayor is to be away from the island.
However, the Rota lawmakers maintain it is more appropriate that the position be filled by a member of the municipal council because they are also elected officials of the municipality. They add that it is appropriate to establish the acting chairmanship of the municipal council.
Under the new legislation, the chairperson of the Rota Municipal Council should serve as acting mayor whenever the Rota mayor is off island. If the chairperson is also away, vice chairperson will assume office. If both the chairperson and vice chairperson are absent, the remaining council member will be the acting mayor. If all council members are away, the mayor will appoint an acting mayor to carry out the duties of his office until the mayor or any member of the municipal council returns.
The same guidelines will apply to the designation of an acting chairperson of the Rota Municipal Council.
