Non-renewal of contracts for Tinian execs?

Without citing any reason, Tinian Mayor Francisco M. Borja has notified all Tinian resident department heads and deputy directors that their employment contracts will be terminated this year “unless otherwise notified.”

Borja issued the notice about the “personnel actions” in a one-sentence memorandum dated Dec. 28, 2004.

“This is to inform all resident department heads and deputy directors that, unless otherwise notified, all personnel actions for resident department heads and deputy directors will not be renewed,” the mayor said.

Several calls made to Borja’s office since Friday were not returned as of press time.

Sources from Tinian said that “all personnel actions” include the directors’ employment, which reportedly expires by February.

Among the department heads on Tinian are Norbert Hofschneider for Commerce, Peter Cruz for Public Safety, Bernie Palacios for Cultural and Community Affairs, Ray Cing for Lands and Natural Resources, Jack Borja for Labor, Eduard Borja for Immigration, and Antonnette Perez for Finance.

Borja, whose second term as mayor ends this year under the Covenant Party, also issued a memorandum last month expressing his displeasure over the lack of employee attendance at a municipal-sponsored Christmas party.

“I am deeply disappointed and surprised that only a few Mayor’s Office employees took the time to enjoy this festive occasion with me,” he said in a Dec. 20 memorandum.

Borja said he hopes that the employees’ absence was not due to politics. “I sincerely hope that politics did not play a role in your decision not to attend our Christmas party. All of you should be aware that each and everyone of you deserved to attend and enjoy the celebration of our holiday season and past year’s accomplishments. No one should have denied you that right,” Borja told employees.

The mayor said that the gathering should have been an opportunity to publicly thank his employees.

“As you all know, our Christmas party is my opportunity to thank each and everyone of you for your hard work and dedication for your past year’s employment under my administration,” he said.

Uneasy about the attendance, the mayor asked the employees to feel free to see him “if you feel there are pressing issues or other urgent matters that you would like to discuss.”

Borja said he hopes that his staff would remain supportive of his administration.

“I hope your lack of attendance is not any indication of your unwillingness to continue to provide public service to the people of Tinian during my remaining term,” he had said.