Edwin Aldan sworn-in for second term as Tinian mayor

Over in the CNMI, the mayor of Tinian officially enters his second term in office after being sworn in on his home island Friday. In his speech, Edwin Aldan touched on military development and climate change.

Stormy weather canceled numerous flights coming into Tinian, preventing some dignitaries from attending the inaugural ceremony for Mayor Aldan but that did not stop him from taking the oath of office.  He said simply, "One team - Team Tinian."

Aldan officially entering his second term as Tinian Mayor. He reflected on the hardship of COVID which choked the tourism industry, making military projects on the island even more critical for the economy as federal funds granted to the NMI dry out.

"We started this administration ready to defend and protect Tinian from military activities that we believe to be harmful to our people, destructive to our environment, and incompatible with our way of life," he said.

Those comments coming amid major developments in the hundreds of millions for the divert airfield currently under construction. The mayor also hopes to expand eco-tourism, address solid waste management issues, and be a Pacific leader in renewable energy under their “go green” initiative.

"As we see these typhoons grow stronger and more destructive, we must all do our part to defend our island from the rising sea level because of climate change," he said.

Mayor Aldan also looking at the next generation saying he will continue to empower the island’s youth to take over, noting, "We need to start looking at the mayor’s office as more than just an employment center but a training ground for future leaders in our government and our community."

The mayor hoping to unify political leaders to make that happen.