‘Focus legislative energy on worthier subjects’

This is in reference to Senator Pete Reyes’ concern over the venue of the State of the Commonwealth address. It is obvious that common sense is not working at its best here because the Multi-Purpose Center was designed and is intended for the hosting of such events. The event is not about where the hosting should take place, and whether or not the senators or any member of the legislative body are to attend the governor’s address. It is each member’s fiduciary responsibility as a “public servant” to make themselves available to receive the delivery of the governor’s message.

Most importantly, it is about access to the event by the public—the very people who voted for each and every member of the Legislature, including the governor—so that members of the community are informed of the state of their government. The people who have worked and visited the legislative building are well aware that the facility is not equipped to accommodate the number of people (in the past) who have attended important events at the Legislature. I believe that the Senator would agree with me that it is logical to use a large facility and a broadcast event versus a small facility (such the legislative chambers) and a broadcast event because more people would have access to the information from the governor.

Furthermore, I agree with Senator Reyes that the CNMI government cannot afford to be luxurious. Therefore, the Legislature should set a precedent by introducing legislation to cease or reduce (if not already) the $5,000 monthly stipend for its members and refrain from leasing luxury gas-guzzling vehicles, including non-essential off-island travel (i.e., conferences).

It’s healthy to have different perspectives and political philosophies as long as the public’s interest is not being compromised. Until such time that a new legislative building is built with an auditorium capable of hosting such event, the governor should continue to deliver the State of the Commonwealth Address at the Multi-Purpose Center because this is in the best interest of the public. Instead of re-introducing resolutions and debating on where the governor should deliver the address, I urge Senator Reyes to focus his energy to support Senator Luis Crisostimo’s effort in protecting our environment, specifically, the U.S. military’s activities in the bombing of the Northern Islands and the kinds of toxic poison that’s being released into our pristine environment, which may pose a long-term detrimental impact on our natural resources, thus affecting our traditional source of food, which we have depended on for hundreds of years.

Recently, a Northern Marianas College instructor and students were funded and tasked to work on a preliminary study on the effects on human injuries and environmental damage caused by World War II exploded and unexploded ordnances. This is another issue where Senator Reyes can make a significant and equally important contribution as the Senate President to assist the project in any capacity that he can extend. Further, I am equally concerned with Senator Reyes’ position on the military economy in the CNMI. He asserted the importance of the economic gain for the CNMI from the military presence but at the same time compromise the health and safety of the environment. Personally, I believe that as an NMI descent, it is paramount to protect the interest of our environment for our children para i futuran i famagu’on ta, above any economic gain from the military. Senator Reyes’ policy of supporting the military economy, specifically the bombing of Farallon de Medinilla, is a shortsighted vision by a well-respected public servant. In retrospect, the CNMI is receiving too little in terms of financial gain, as negotiated in the Covenant agreement, in comparison to the huge impact on the environment, noise pollution and health—physical, emotional, and psychological—of these military activities, If one really thinks about these military maneuvers, it is Guam and other military installations that are benefiting the most from these activities.
[B] Liana Hofshchneider
[/B][I]Honolulu, Hawaii[/I]