In an interview, Zoning Board Chairman Diego Blanco said their action is “for the best of the commonwealth and the zoning office.”
He declined to elaborate, saying “they have a policy not to discuss personnel matters.”
The Zoning Board said they appreciated Wyatt’s professional performance.
But “at this time, the Zoning Board believes that it is in the best interests of the Zoning Office and the residents of Saipan to discontinue the services of Mr. Wyatt,” its statement added.
Zoning planner Therese T. Ogumoro has been designated as acting zoning administrator.
In a statement, Blanco said, “we expect to see further progress with the improvements to and implementation of the Saipan Zoning Law under Ms. Ogumoro.”
Ogumoro has worked for the Zoning Office for more than four years now and has served as acting administrator on two previous occasions.
In an interview, Ogumoro said she assumed the responsibility of the administrator starting yesterday.
The atmosphere at the office remains “very normal,” she said, as she declined to further comment about the board’s action.
Two week ago, this reporter learned that the board would terminate Wyatt.
“I’ve certainly not heard that. I hope it’s wrong,” Wyatt said at the time.
Yesterday, he was not available for comment as he was already on vacation leave.
Wyatt was hired on July 19, 2010 and was given a two-year contract.
On Friday, Wyatt was given a 30-day notice of termination by the board.
His predecessors were Victor Barrett, who served from June 2009 to Jan. 2010, and Steve Tilley, formerly of Coastal Resources Management, who was the zoning administrator from 2006 to 2009.
