MPLA appraiser cries foul over non-renewal

Former Marianas Public Lands Authority appraisal reviewer Mitchelle K. Aaron is accusing MPLA board chair Ana Demapan-Castro and commissioner Ed Deleon Guerrero of alleged discrimination and retaliation as reasons for his recent non-renewal of employment.

In a letter addressed to Deleon Guerrero, Aaron said that without prior discussion or indication, he was handed a notice on Feb. 6 that he would not be renewed effective Feb. 12, 2006.

The MPLA letter, dated Jan. 25, 2006, informed him that “an in-house appraisal reviewer is no longer needed.”

He disagreed with this, saying that there’s actually quite a workload at MPLA.

“I strongly disagree with your reason. …I am surprised that there has been no prior discussion or indication to me that my position will no longer be needed due to workload,” said Aaron. “As the records will show, there are still a lot of land claims that require appraisals for compensation with which I believe my services are very much needed and still is….”

He also expressed belief that his non-renewal is in retaliation for his participation as a member of the MPLA Transition Sub-Committee, “which recommended for the ‘abolition’ of MPLA.”

Aaron said he is a certified general real estate appraiser.

He said he performed in-house appraisals for MPLA, in addition to his appraisal review duties, “which saves MPLA substantial appraisal fees had MPLA contracted out…to independent appraisers.”

Aaron, who has worked at the agency since 2001, believes that his non-renewal “is not because of not enough workload…but based on retaliation for appraisal reviews of some land compensations claims which were not favorable to the MPLA board and the management.”

In an interview yesterday, Aaron claimed that there were times when the board would disapprove his report or review.

“In my profession as an appraiser, we have professional standards to follow. I couldn’t bend these standards to favor anyone. Although MPLA is a client, I’m supposed to be unbiased. Whatever value we come up, either it favors the client or not, that’s it. It can’t be predetermined,” said Aaron.

Likewise, Aaron complained of discrimination. He said that since Aug. 13, 2001, he has been employed on a yearly contract without problem until last year.

He said that, when his contract was up for renewal last August, he was given a mere 90-day extension or until Nov. 12, 2005.

He was then given a “new 90-day contract” last November, which was to expire on Feb. 12.

“I believe I am being discriminated by MPLA, specifically the chairperson. …As you and I are fully aware, some MPLA contract employees are given four-year contracts. Some other MPLA contracts are given the normal one-year contract,” he said.

MPLA was reached but would not make comments on the issue yesterday.

MPLA public information Ed Arriola Jr. said the chair and the commissioner would be able to comment on it today.