Senate committee hears support, questions for Bartley A. Jackson’s nomination to Commonwealth Port Authority board

A Senate standing committee on Thursday heard testimony supporting the nomination of Bartley A. Jackson to the Commonwealth Port Authority board of directors to represent Saipan and questioned the nominee on how he would address CPA’s financial deficits, staffing gaps and coordination with tourism agencies.

The hearing before the Senate Standing Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigation took place at the Senate Chamber, Kaptuk Hill, Saipan. The committee heard introductions from the governor’s representative, Oscar Babauta, then received testimony from Jackson and a series of public speakers, all of whom spoke in support of the nomination. The committee recorded that four members were present and one member was absent.

Jackson, who said he has lived in the Marianas for 35 years and has been a full-time CNMI resident for six years, told senators he does not “purport to be an expert in the business of the port authority” but that he will “bring a business perspective” and “a tourism perspective” to the board if confirmed. He cited decades of hospitality and hotel-management experience, an MBA from Columbia University…