“Knowledge is power.”
— Sir Frances Bacon (1561–1626)
RECENTLY the governor announced of his plan to re-examine the offices of his political appointees and make changes based on four criteria.
The criteria being: are my appointees qualified, competent, loyal, and ethical? A fifth criterion must be added. Is this position necessary to the public interest or could some other appointee assume these duties?
Did you know that the governor has appointee power over more than 38 positions? Some of these positions may be constitutionally mandated and others may be required by the federal regulations applicable for obtaining those federal funds.
But, considering our serious financial deficit, the governor could eliminate or not fill those, locally funded, political-appointee, positions that are duplicative or unnecessary. This is the ideal time to trim the fat from the executive branch. Using our limited financial resources wisely helps all of us. Governor Fitial, I appeal to you. Make history! Eliminate all unnecessary offices or ask them to be filled, without salary, voluntarily. JFK said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”
To find out how many jobs are up for gubernatorial review, I went to the executive branch website at www.cnmigov.net
Below, as listed on the governor’s website, are the positions for which the governor makes political appointments. To identify the current occupants of these positions go to the website above Knowing who is in charge of these government agencies is vital knowledge for any caring, educated citizen of the CNMI. These political appointees directly impact your life and are being paid for with your tax dollars. Possibly some of these dollars could be spent more wisely by paying direct public service providers, such as teachers, nurses, policemen, or CUC generator maintenance personnel,
Department Directors – Heads of Divisions/Offices
Finance – Administration
Community and Cultural Affairs – Public Information and Protocol
Department of Labor – Disability Policy and Programs
Lands and Natural Resources – Public Liaison
Commerce – Programs and Legislative Review
Public Works – Indigenous Affairs
Public Safety – Women’s Affairs
Attorney General – Carolinian Affairs
Public Health – Youth Affairs
Public Lands – Military Liaison and Veterans Affairs
Public Defender – Division of Environmental Quality
Vocational Rehabilitation – Office of Personnel Management, Coastal Resource Management, Emergency Management Office
Special Assistant Positions
Senior Policy Advisor
Department of Corrections
Office of Homeland Security
Trade Relations and Economic Affairs
Criminal Justice Planning Agency
Workforce Investment Agency
Special Advisor (In what area? It doesn’t say)
Education
Geothermal and Renewable Energy Resources
Geothermal Energy
I write about CNMI issues in an attempt to continue the education of our citizens. Knowledge is power. Participatory democracy only operates effectively if the citizens care and are informed. If you care and wish to exert your power within this community, don’t let your only government- input be voting. I urge you to visit the executive branch website at www.cnmigov.net the legislative website at www.cnmileg.gov.mp and the judiciary website at www.justice.gov.mp Tell our leaders, often, what you want and why. Visit the executive branch website before the inauguration, Jan. 11, 2010, and advise our governor on which political appointees he should keep or what positions you think are unnecessary. You could even nominate some replacement appointees or offer testimony for current office holders who you think are providing excellent public service. But, maybe, just maybe, we have too many chiefs and not enough Indians. What do you think?
ROGER N. LUDWICK
Sadog Tasi, Saipan
Comments
The CNMI is not that kind of local government. This \"governor\" (\"jefe\" is really more appropriate for a banana republic) does not care who you think should be appointed.