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Appointment of zoning board members questioned
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Posted on Dec 13 2004
Senate minority leader Pete P. Reyes is questioning the recent appointment by the governor of members to the Saipan Zoning Board, making the issue a top agenda in tomorrow’s session of the Saipan and Northern Islands legislative delegation.
“There is question. I want to question that during the session. I don’t think the governor has the authority [to appoint the members],” Reyes, who chairs the delegation, said.
He said the time for the governor to appoint members to the board had long expired. The zoning law was passed in the 9th Legislature.
“It actually expired,” he said, declining to elaborate except to say, “It’s going to be interesting.”
The delegation meets tomorrow at 10am.
When reached, Gov. Juan N. Babauta said that he made the appointment after consulting with his legal counsel and the Attorney General’s Office.
“We knew about the concerns and so I had it reviewed by my legal counsel and AGO. It’s determined that I could still make an appointment,” Babauta said. “And given the fact that we need a zoning board badly, I went ahead and made the appointment of seven people to the board. This is a very dynamic group, a very diverse group. I think they’re going to make an excellent job.”
Babauta said that, if the concerns are legitimate, he would be more than happy to work with the Legislature and the local delegation.
Citing the need to rid Garapan of illegal operations, Babauta last month reconstituted the Saipan Zoning Board, naming his appointees to the panel: Maria Pangelinan, Rex Kosack, William Concepcion, Andrea Alepuyo, Connie Coward, Henry Hofschneider, and Isidoro Cabrera.
The governor said the board is tasked to zone the Garapan commercial district area and the rest of Saipan “so that there is order in the house.”
Authorities aim to transform Garapan from a red-district area to a wholesome, family-oriented destination.
