By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

THE Tinian legislative delegation will push for the formal implementation of a charter that will give the mayor full authority to enter into loan agreements, coordinate extension of federal programs, appoint department heads and even terminate employees without cause or notice, and be free from any intervention by other sectors of the commonwealth government.
Sen. Henry H. San Nicolas, chairman of the delegation and son of Tinian Mayor Jose P. San Nicolas, said they will introduce a local legislative initiative in their next session to enact a charter for the municipality of Tinian and Aguiguan.
“It’s sort of a formality because it has already been ruled by the (federal) court that Tinian is a charter municipality. The purpose of introducing the initiative is to set everything straight as to the extent of the power under the separate charter,” Senator San Nicolas, Covenant-Tinina, told Variety.
In an earlier interview, Mayor San Nicolas said Tinian cannot solely depend on local appropriations and needs to find ways to seek financial assistance so it can realize infrastructure development.
The mayor said he will seek authority to enter into loan agreements.
Tinian, he added, will need $95 million for the expansion and construction of key infrastructure projects in preparation for the entry of more casino investors and the military buildup on Guam.
Senator San Nicolas said “it is the desire of the municipality to have a separate formal charter consistent with the Commonwealth Constitution.”