FLASHBACK – June 30, 2011

CNMI to seek changes in takeover proposal[/B]

Calling Sen. Frank Murkowski’s (R-Alaska) federal takeover proposal “more flexible,” Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday said he would ask for changes in the pending legislation during an oversight hearing next month by the U.S. Senate Energy and Resources Committee. He also expressed hope the nation’s lawmakers would consider the state of the island’s economy when they deliberate on the bipartisan measure introduced in May that would apply federal immigration laws in the Northern Marianas. Murkowski, chairman of the Senate committee dealing with island issues, has set the hearing on July 27 in Washington D.C. to review the measure, which is one of seven federal takeover bills now pending in Congress.

The Federal Aviation Administration is reviewing a proposal to establish Saipan as the Aircraft Rescue Training Hub in the Western Pacific region, according to Carlos H. Salas, executive director of the Commonwealth Ports Authority. “If this materializes, we hope to get federal funding to help us run the program,” said Salas, adding that the Regional Aircraft Rescue and Training Program will benefit the islands of Guam, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Palau and even Hawaii. The proposal for Saipan to become the training ground came from Martinez Jacob of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Aircraft Rescue Office in Hawaii.

PIBBA delegates note advancement in language standards[/B]

Panelists representing the five political entities of the Pacific Islands Bilingual Bicultural Association conference yesterday disclosed major advancements in the Indigenous Language Development Standards in their respective islands as a result of the PIBBA conference held in Kosrae last year. During an open discussion, the association grouped together island leaders who shared to other participants improvements on the development standards in their respective entities. This tradition has been set to measure the impact of the yearly meet which tackles concerns besetting bilingual and bicultural issues throughout the Pacific. PIBBA International Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Marilyn Salas from Guam has noted on major advancements brought about by the conference to bilingual programs all over the region.

Pressing for the preservation of culture and heritage of the Pacific islanders, Tinian High School outstanding student Carl King-Nabors underscored the need to initiate learning of the first language at home. An active student leader, Mr. Nabors said parents should start prepping up their children the basics of their native language as early as possible. Speaking before participants to the 19th annual Pacific Islands Bilingual Bicultural Association, Mr. Nabors stressed that the preservation of one’s own culture and heritage can be achieved only through a coherent community effort.

CUC plans $15K as starting salary[/B]

The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. plans to raise its starting pay from $13,000 annually to $15,000 beginning October this year. CUC executive director Lorraine A. Babauta said in her recent communication to Arizona-based consulting firm, Fox Lawson & Associates, that beginning fiscal year 2004, CUC is considering pegging the starting salary at that level. If premiums are to be embedded, she said, then the base salary for those in hazardous positions “would certainly start out higher.” Babauta also sought the advise of the firm as to whether the CUC would continue with its premium pay or adopt a total compensation scheme.

The NMI Retirement Fund has urged Gov. Juan N. Babauta to nominate two new Board of Trustees, to replace two members whose terms expired on June 6. Fund administrator Karl T. Reyes said that, with the terms of Marian Tudela and Thomas Saures having expired, the board seats that are required by law to be filled by a Carolinian and women representatives are now vacant. Reyes said that the Babauta administration has already been informed about this and asked it to nominate their replacement. When asked if they have heard anything from the governor yet, Reyes said no.