A commissioner can get up to $75,000 in annual salary.
He said nine individuals were recommended: Matthew C. Masga, Don A. Farrell, Jose P. Kiyoshi, Michael H. San Nicolas, Ignacio K. Quichocho, Kimberly K. Hinds, Gabriel DLC. Evangelista, John E. Untalan and Charlene M. Lizama.
San Nicolas acknowledges the delegation’s funding concerns, but added that there is a need to “spend money in order to make money for Tinian.”
Former Commissioners Bill Cing and Serafina King-Nabors’ terms expired last year and they have yet to be replaced.
The five-member commission serves as the regulator and decision-maker for the island’s casino industry.
The commissioners are appointed by the mayor and serve a term of six years.
Each commissioner is limited to serve only one term.
San Nicolas said he anticipates “opposition” to his decision, but added that appointing two commissioners “will help Tinian’s economy.”
He did not explain how paying two officials up to $150,000 a year can help the cash-strapped municipal government.
“I am not looking for popularity but productivity for Tinian,” he said. “I believe we have to spend money to make money, especially for our casinos. We need these commissioners to work for our casino industry.”
San Nicolas said he needs “trusted and qualified individuals” to serve on the commission.
In an interview yesterday, delegation chairman Sen. Joseph P. Mendiola reiterated their earlier position to suspend the appointments due to lack of funding.
He noted that the term of one of three remaining commissioners will expire in Jan. 2009 and the mayor’s vacancy announcement is supposed to fill that position.
Mendiola, Covenant-Tinian, said the legislative delegation “supports” the casino commission, but added that “as long as there is a quorum” it can continue to operate despite the two vacancies.
