I TESTIFIED before the Senate’s EAGI Standing Committee for the rejection of Mr. Bruce Jorgensen who was nominated to the Commonwealth Ports Authority to represent the island of Rota. Primarily because I am convinced that he is not a bona fide resident of Rota or the CNMI in general. Premise on the fact that he has a habit of using other people’s post office box to persuade authorities that he is a resident as stated in court documents.
I will not go into details, as I have said what I needed to say on the public hearing that was conducted by the Senate EAGI Committee. What I am most interested to know is who among the three Rota senatorial delegation members will stand up to make this right, and fight for right of a true Rota stakeholder to represent Rota. The record of the hearing reflects that the people of Rota don’t want Jorgensen. The people who testified in his support don’t live in Rota. Who are you going to listen to? The people who actually live in the community? Or, people who don’t think that the people of Rota are not smart enough or capable enough to be on the CPA board.
It is fascinating to hear how aggressively some voiced their concern about the cost of living in Rota and blamed CPA for it. But were silent on the protection to be represented by a true stakeholder from Rota. The question is, will anyone stand up and be counted to ensure that Rota is represented by someone who understand the needs of Rota and are living in Rota experiencing the hardship and struggles that Rota residents go through? I know that Rota is watching this matter closely to see who in the Senate will hear their voice and stand up for them. I refuse to believe no one is qualified to be nominated to this position.
History shows us that Rota produces highly educated residents, to include medical doctors, PhDs, lawyers, judges and even one of the best governors the CNMI has had the privilege to have been served by. During the public hearing the chairwoman of the Marianas Visitors Authority said that there’s no one in Rota more qualified that Mr. Jorgensen. How does she know? She doesn’t even live in Rota. Are you going to listen to people who don’t live on Rota tell Rota what’s best for Rota? Didn’t I say this in my testimony?
I sincerely thanked those that have signed a petition to protest the nomination of Mr. Jorgensen. You, the resident of Rota, know better if he’s truly a resident of Rota. But for now, we just have to see who is brave enough to step up to the plate and demonstrate to the people of Rota that they will not allow this to happen.
PETE P. REYES
CPA board member
