But CUC Executive Director Tony Muna had other ideas.
He told the committee’s chairwoman, Rep. Tina Sablan, that he wanted to focus on used oil issues.
He said water and wastewater “should have its own venue and time frame.”
Sablan, Ind.-Saipan, said she had a few questions regarding water and wastewater.
“Those require expansive discussions,” Muna replied.
When Sablan noted the presence of Muna’s deputy director for water and wastewater, Bruce Megarr, the CUC executive director said: “Mr. Megarr is not here on my direction. I told him specifically not to be here. He works for me. He’s excused for being here as far as I’m concerned. Let’s leave it at that. The focus should be on the used oil situation.”
Sablan tried to speak, but Muna cut in.
“At the end of the day, I’m accountable for CUC,” he said. “The pressure that I have to go through I think you need to understand. When I make a decision I don’t do it because I want to exercise…power. I’m doing it based on what I think is important for CUC and in the best interest of the public.”
Sablan said she wanted to hear from the other committee members who were present.
Rep. Frank S. Dela Cruz, Covenant-Saipan, and Sen. Maria T. Pangelinan, D-Saipan, said they would go along with Muna’s decision.
“I’ve no problem with that,” Dela Cruz said.
“It’s up to the CUC executive director,” Pangelinan said.
Sablan, Ind.-Saipan, reminded those present that her request to Muna included updates regarding CUC’s water, wastewater operations since Megarr’s “initial briefing before us in February.”
“There are deadlines coming up [as required by the federal] stipulated orders, and I requested updates regarding the recommendations [Megarr] made [in February] since it’s already May. I also asked for a briefing similar to what we heard in February. I think all of them [used oil, water and wastewater] should be fair game for questioning.”
She said she still wanted Megarr to answer questions later, if there’s still time left.
“Can we do it that way?” she asked.
“Congresswoman Sablan,” Muna said, “I think you should understand—”
“Tina,” Pangelinan said, “can’t we just cooperate with Tony…and let’s move on—”
“I’m not sure exactly what’s going on,” Sablan replied, “but I do want to get going, it’s well past nine. This is still a public legislative briefing. If anyone wishes to remain in the gallery, they’re certainly welcome to do so and if some questions come up we can invite persons in the gallery to speak.”
Muna and Megarr had a sharp exchange of words, but this portion of the official audio recording of the briefing was unintelligible.
