THE Commonwealth Ports Authority is working toward a clean audit, according to its board chair, Kimberlyn King-Hinds.
“But for the fact that the [CPA] board gave its assurances to the Federal Aviation Administration that we would see through the completion of addressing the audit findings by fully implementing the corrective action plan that we have submitted to ensure that our access to federal funding opportunities are not in jeopardy, we would have gladly submitted our courtesy resignations,” she added, referring to Gov. Arnold I. Palacios’ “request” for the courtesy resignations of the board and commission members appointed by his predecessor, former Gov. Ralph DLG Torres.
“The fact is, we are still in the process of working toward ensuring that we have a clean audit and that’s by strictly monitoring compliance with our new standard operating procedures and reporting to the FAA on a monthly basis our progress,” King-Hinds said.
“When I took my oath to serve as a board member, it was an oath to the people to serve CPA to the best of my abilities in accordance with law. A part of that is a commitment to the FAA that regardless of the politics, I will stay and finish up the job,” she added.
Her term ends in October.
In the meantime, she said CPA board is in direct communication with Gov. Palacios.
“This is something that I have personally shared with the governor who is aware of our endeavors and who has not objected to the efforts that we are undertaking for the benefit of the agency. Since Inauguration Day, as [board] chair, I have been in direct communications with the governor providing updates of issues, actions, and progress whether it be about projects or policies that we are pursuing,” King-Hinds said.
“Because I am a member of the board, I am a public figure and as a public figure, criticism comes with the territory,” she added.
“Mischaracterization of my intent and efforts, ‘Trumpy’ tactics deployed to malign my character, or having a coronary because I’m doing what I’m doing, are all par for the course. Those moves, however, will not deter me from living up to my oath and commitment to serve the people with the best of my abilities. We are almost at the finish line, and I will give CPA, this administration and, more importantly, the people, the best of who I am,” King-Hinds said.
“Until then, as the saying goes, ‘potatoes gonna potate and haters gonna hate.’”
Kimberlyn King-Hinds
