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San Nicolas’ priorities are infrastructure, economic dev’t
Mayor also expresses concern over island’s drug problem
Former attorney general Joey Patrick San Nicolas was sworn in yesterday as Tinian and Aguiguan Mayor and he disclosed that his priorities are infrastructure and economic development on Tinian and the welfare of the people.
“I am very much concerned about the drug problem on Tinian,” said San Nicolas in an interview with the media shortly after his swearing in administered by Gov. Eloy S. Inos in the governor’s office conference room.
Tinian Mayor Joey P. San Nicolas is sworn in by Gov. Eloy Inos during the Tinian Mayor’s inauguration yesterday morning at the Governor’s Office. (Jayson Camacho)
Along with San Nicolas, Tinian and Aguiguan Municipal Council members Diana Hocog Borja, Edwin Manglona Hofschneider, and Reynaldo Mendiola Cing also took their oaths of office before Inos.
San Nicolas said when they ran months ago, they promised to move Tinian forward.
The mayor said he himself, along with members of the Municipal Council and the members of the Tinian Delegation and the CNMI leadership, especially the governor and lieutenant governor, are going to work together to move Tinian and the Commonwealth forward.
With respect to Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino’s problem with hiring foreign workers, San Nicolas said Tinian Dynasty has its struggles at this time but he is not going to comment on the accusations that Tinian Dynasty has to answer to.
However, the mayor pointed out, the casino industry on Tinian requires the Tinian leadership to support it and also to listen to what their concerns are and in the process come up with solutions so they can drive the casino and the tourism industry on the island.
San Nicolas also stated they are still in the middle of transition as they were not allowed to come in until Jan. 8, 2015.
He said they are still working with the department heads in getting information on the status of the projects and their funds.
“We are still transitioning,” the mayor said, adding that once the transition period is completed, the next step for his administration is to figure out how they are going to make the plans for the island a reality.
San Nicolas defeated then-incumbent mayor Ramon M. Dela Cruz by a mere seven votes. Dela Cruz brought an election challenge, but during the court-ordered recounting of votes, San Nicolas prevailed by nine votes. The Superior Court subsequently dismissed the election lawsuit.
