Flashback May 2, 2000-2002

[B]MAY 2, 2000

Gov’t okays plan to settle CUC bills[/B]

The government has pledged to make a monthly payment of at least $1.3 million to the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation to pare down over $11 million it has owed in overdue utility bills for the past few months. Finance officials have reached the payment plan with CUC after the government-owned utility firm demanded settlement of the debt.

[B]Administration spending dropped by $35M[/B]

Living up to the expectations of its self-imposed cost-cutting measures since 1998, the Tenorio Administration managed to slash its spending for the last fiscal year by more than $35 million, according to a report from the finance department. The DOF report, contained in the commerce department’s economic review, disclosed the Commonwealth spent only $220.3 million in Fiscal Year 1999, lower from the previous period’s $255.6 million.

[B]NMIRF warns against approval of 5 House bills[/B]

Northern Mariana Islands Retirement Fund Administrator Juan S. Torres has warned the House Judicial and Governmental Relations Committee to defer action on five proposed measures due to their potential impact on the agency’s financial integrity. In a letter sent to Rep. Dino M. Jones, Mr. Torres said not one of the bills would help improve the Fund’s current financial condition, but instead put further strain on its cash position at a time when government revenues are down.

[B]MAY 2, 2001

Not enough nurses at CHC[/B]

At least nine retired nurses were called back to work yesterday by the Department of Public Health in efforts to alleviate problems associated with the shortage of nurses to man the hospital. Last month, the health department was forced to “borrow” nurses from the Rota and Tinian Public Health Centers to ease burdens of on-duty nurses working round-the-clock at the CHC.

[B]Firm sued for illegal dismissal[/B]

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has lodged complaints against a local corporation in behalf of the latter’s former employees whom it allegedly discharged for complaining against the company. Elm’s Corporation, a company that does business as Town and Country Restaurant, is facing a civil action suit before the US District Court for allegedly performing unlawful employment practices against workers Gemma Soriano and Antonio Magtibay.

[B]Road cleared for solid waste transfer station[/B]

Remaining obstacles for the construction of the sanitary landfill and transfer station were finally resolved after the last of the three environmental permits was approved yesterday. Lt. Gov. Jesus R. Sablan disclosed the Army Corps of Engineer 404 or Water Quality Permit was finally approved, which would allow the Department of Public Works to begin with the much-delayed landfill project in Marpi.
[B] MAY 2, 2002

US court stops FDM bombing[/B]

A federal court issued an injunction ordering the immediate halting of all military activities on Farallon de Mendinilla Island that would harm its bird population. Judge Emmett G. Sullivan, sitting on the bench for the U.S. District Court of Columbia, issued the injunction on April 30 (Columbia time), effectively enforcing the declaration of illegality that it rendered against the military bombing exercises sometime last March.

[B]Receiver hoped to pacify worried BoS depositors[/B]

Superior Court Presiding Judge Edward Manibusan ruled late Tuesday to appoint businessman and lawyer Randall Fennell as Bank of Saipan receiver for a period not exceeding 30 days. The judge’s ruling came even as a question was left hanging on whether the court has “competent jurisdiction” to decide on the appointment of the said outside expert, due to the government’s failure to cite a cause of action in its filed petition against BoS.

[B]SandCastle starts entertaining Saipan tonight[/B]

The Saipan tourism industry is in for an exciting addition: Multi-million-dollar entertainment venue SandCastle Saipan will open its doors today. The new entertainment venue offers Las Vegas-style performances complete with showgirls, a magic show and others that are guaranteed to awe audiences, said Mark S. Baldyga whose company—Baldyga Group Inc.—is responsible in bringing the facility into the island.