I WRITE to bring to your readers’ attention several important reasons why Governor Babauta is correct in his appointment of Mr. Robert Schwalbach and Mrs. Celina Babauta and at the pay rate they have been given.
Mrs. Babauta was an executive secretary to Lt. Gov. Benjamin T. Manglona and Lt. Gov. Jesus C. Borja. She was an executive secretary in the executive offices of the governor in the previous administration. Mrs. Babauta covered for Donna Cruz whenever the need arose.
In any organization, including a new administration, it is necessary to have people who have both a working knowledge of the system and an institutional knowledge of the office. Mrs. Babauta has both. She has been in the executive offices of the governor for over 10 years and she is one of the very few people who know the organization of the very valuable archive of records Donna left behind. Donna’s shoes are very difficult to fill and her departure is a great loss to everyone who has to deal with the Office of the Governor. However, it is comforting to know that someone as capable as Mrs. Babauta has been appointed to fill that position. I have no doubt that she is an excellent choice. The demands the position places on the employee more than justify the $45,000 salary. Whether it is Mrs. Babauta or anyone else for that matter.
Robert Schwalbach is one of the hardest working government employees I have come to know. The people who know the quality of Mr. Schwalbach’s work and his work ethics know that he deserves the pay rate he is given. Mr. Schwalbach is one of the few people in the Office of the Governor I know I can depend on to do his job the best he could. Hands down, Robert Schwalbach is the best choice for the job. As for the money, he is more than worth it.
GREGORIO C. SABLAN
Garapan, Saipan
