Flashback – July 6, 1999-2001

[B][U]July 6, 1999[/U][/B] [B]WPEC opposes any takeover proposal[/B]

Business leaders have expressed opposition against compromising the Covenant provisions to allow the federal government to control local immigration, minimum wage and customs standards on the heels of several legislation under consideration by the U.S. Congress. The Western Pacific Economic Council (WPEC) has issued its position on the federal takeover proposals awaiting actions in both houses of the Congress, noting the relentless attacks and accusations against the Northern Marianas in recent months. “WPEC cautions against any deviation from the position that the CNMI Covenant should be protected at all costs,” the group said in a statement. “WPEC cautions against any change in position where total local control of immigration and minimum wage should be protected.”

[B]American Memorial Park to get facelift[/B]

The American Memorial Park will soon get a much-needed facelift once a proposal to float bonds worth $2 million is approved by the CNMI government to finance three key projects in the popular recreation site, according to Lt. Gov. Jesus R. Sablan. Anticipated to be completed before 2001, the plan will call for improvement of the nature trail as well as the construction of a track and field oval and a flower-bearing garden to be called the Marianas Memorial Garden within the park grounds. In an interview with reporters last Friday, Sablan said the Commonwealth Development Authority and the Marianas Public Land Trust will jointly undertake the proposed bond flotation.

[B][U]July 6, 2000[/U][/B] [B]CPA criticized for increasing airport fees[/B]

A top official of Japan Airlines yesterday warned the CNMI government against imposing additional fees at Saipan International Airport to prevent aircraft carriers from transferring to neighboring island Guam. Yukiharu Enomoto, district manager of JAL, said the CNMI should consider implementing incentives to lure more airlines into the Northern Marianas just like Honolulu and Guam airports which both earlier waived landing fees for a certain period. Speaking before the Saipan Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting, the JAL executive criticized the recent 65 percent increase in aircraft landing fee and 38 percent hike in passenger facility charge carried out by the Commonwealth Ports Authority in March 2000 at this time when airlines are having difficulty to survive due to the slowdown in the island’s tourism economy.

[B]CUC to carry out reforms[/B]

The board of the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation is reviewing recommendations that will reform its operations and policies, which officials hope will improve its services to the community. Board Chair Jesus T. Guerrero said that while CUC has focused on the Saipan power project, other issues and concerns continue to draw much-needed attention. “The board has spent a good deal of its time reviewing operations policies and practices, completing draft internal guidelines for the expenditure of official representation accounts, clarifying utility extension policies, which will now undergo internal review before final publication,” he told a recent meeting.

[B][U]July 6, 2001[/U][/B] [B]Landfill bidding may reach court[/B]

Lawyers of losing joint venture bidder Western Equipment, Inc. and DRC Pacific, Inc. said they will exhaust all legal remedies to get the multi-million dollar contract for the construction of the Marpi Solid Waste Facility, even it means going to court. “We’ll pursue all our legal remedies. At the moment, we’re waiting for their response,” said Bruce Mailman, one of the legal counsels for WEI-DRC. Mailman said the government “can’t just sweep” the bidding process that will eventually turn out to be a “mockery of the regulation” if the contract is eventually awarded to the joint venture of Dick Pacific Corporation and Pacific Drilling Ltd.

[B]’Save kindergarten program'[/B]

Rep. Brigida DLG. Ichihara has expressed concern over the impending closure of the Public School System’s kindergarten program due to funding woes and promised to look into the matter to find ways to save the program. In an interview yesterday, Ichihara told reporters that when she heard of the plan to close down the kindergarten program, she was disturbed. “As a former teacher, I was concerned and I hope that our government will be able to find funding for this so that the kindergarten program would continue to be provided for. I know that the program is not compulsory but it is essential in providing for a strong foundation for our children’s education,” she said.