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San Nicolas hears public on Tinian’s proposed loan
From left, councilor-elect Antonio SN. Borja, Tinian Mayor’s Office CEO Allen Perez, Ignacio Kiyoshi, Sen. Francisco Q. Cruz, Labor Department resident head Jay Jess San Nicolas, councilor Dianne H. Borja, Tinian Mayor Joey P. San Nicolas, Epi Cabrera of the CNMI Grants Management Office, Mary Ann B. Arriola of the CNMI Grants Management Office, councilor Edwin M. Hofschneider, Fire and Emergency Services Department resident head Mathew C. Masga, William Villagomez of the CNMI Grants Management Office, Lands and Natural Resources Department resident head Guillermo Borja, and Frankie Angel of the CNMI Grants Management Office. (Contributed Photo)
Tinian Mayor Joey P. San Nicolas led a public information hearing at the Tinian Public Library on Jan. 4, 2017, on Tinian’s proposed application for a loan with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The low-interest loan, called a USDA Rural Development Community Facilities direct loan, will be used to fund the design and construction of secondary roads at Marpo Heights II and fund the design and construction of a new mayor’s office.
The Mayor’s Office believes these two Tinian projects will prove beneficial for the island’s people.
“Residents of Tinian that reside in the Marpo Heights II area have had to endure a significant amount of challenges with the gravel road they use daily. The challenges become even greater during the rainy season and inclement weather. We hope to finally resolve this issue through this option. With the construction of a new Mayor’s Office at the old Japanese building located next to the San Jose Church, progress toward centralizing local government agencies will come closer to realization. In addition, the construction of the new mayor’s office at the proposed location will mean a huge savings in rental fees as compared to the present situation,” according to a Tinian Mayor’s Office statement.
The statement adds: “Although our local casino revenues have taken a huge hit in 2016 and has presented Tinian with even greater challenges financially, [San Nicolas], with the support of the Tinian leadership, has taken the approach of looking for innovative solutions in moving Tinian forward.”
“We will continue to work together toward creating progress and improving the livelihood of the people of Tinian. These infrastructure projects are only a part of the overall work that I pledge to work with our leadership to make a reality,” said San Nicolas.
