“I feel compelled to ensure that the people of Tinian are given a full depiction of how municipality funds are expended. The Open Government Act is a great tool but only if people are given a complete disclosure of facts. All those elected should share equal responsibility in leadership, governance and accountability of performance on behalf of the people they represent,” she said in her letter dated Jan. 18 to Dela Cruz as well as the council and delegation members.
According to King-Hinds, a former chairwoman of the Northern Marianas College board of regents and a supporter of Dela Cruz in the 2009 elections, she “understands the game of politics.”
She added, “I know the game very well and choose not to play by rules that continue to benefit a few, is destructive to my community and does nothing to promote progress that people rightfully deserve and need.”
She asked Allen Perez, the acting municipal treasurer, to help distribute copies of her letter to Tinian officials.
In her Open Government Act request, King-Hinds asked for copies of all professional service contracts awarded, including those transacted by the previous administration of former Mayor Jose San Nicolas.
She wants to see the list of names of individuals and the copy of actual contracts, terms and conditions, contract amounts, invoices, statements, checks, and receipts.
King-Hinds also requested copies of public records within the custody and control of Tinian officials 10 days of receipt of her letter.
She wants to see all municipal funds requested and expended on behalf of the Tinian Municipal Council and the members of the Tinian Legislative Delegation (to include the duration of the former Mayor San Nicolas’ administration) which include:
• Travel
• Professional services contracts
• Rental
• Official representation
• Donations
• A complete line-item listing of any expenditure involving municipal funds to date as requested by the Tinian Legislative Delegation and the Tinian Municipal Council.
“This request is to review the above mentioned public records. In the event I will need copies of the public records, I will make arrangements with the appropriate person to make copies on site, or pay for any reasonable cost of requested copies,” King-Hinds said.
