Governor certifies 30 govt vacancies

The Babauta administration has certified 30 vacancies at different departments and agencies, including 14 for the Department of Public Safety, six for the Attorney General’s Office, and six for the Rota municipal government.

Gov. Juan N. Babauta or Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente said in seven different letters to the Legislature that these positions were vacant and must be filled during the period of the present continuing resolution.

“The filling of these vacant positions are of vital importance for the efficient delivery of essential public services. Continuing appropriations are available for the full personnel costs associated with this vacancy,” the administration said.

For the understaffed police department, the certified positions were four dispatchers, four firefighter cadets, three police officers I, two firefighters I, and police lieutenant.

For the AGO, the administration certified vacancies for the positions of two assistant attorney generals, legal secretary, special investigator, immigration inspector I, and immigration inspector trainee.

For the Rota government, the certified vacancies were for the positions of assistant public information officer, two project development workers, two community workers, and field operations supervisor.

On Sept. 13, 2005, Rota Mayor Benjamin Manglona sent separate notices of non-renewal to seven employees, including an account clerk, an administrative officer, two community workers, two project development officers, and school aide.

Manglona cited lack of funding as the reason for his decision. But his opponents said that the seven employees, who are identified with the Republican Party, were let go for political reasons.

Other vacancies certified were for the positions of capital improvement project adviser and enforcement and compliance officer I at the Department of Commerce; librarian III at the Revenue and Taxation Division of the Department of Finance; and emergency physician at the Department of Public Health.

In related news, Babauta allowed an emergency medicine specialist at the Commonwealth Health Center to receive an annual salary exceeding the $50,000 cap set by the Compensation Adjustment Act.

Dr. Patrick Tong will receive $112,000 per year.