Flashback May 9, 2000-2002

Teno says no to proposal to create PCB task force[/B]

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has nixed a proposal by the Legislature to create a local task force to look into the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination in Tanapag, saying that issues surrounding the problem are currently being addressed by his administration. But he invited representatives from each chamber to work closely with a local working group tasked with responding to its adverse impact on public health and environment to get lawmakers’ input and recommendations. The group comprises the Department of Public Health, the Division of Environmental Quality and community representatives of Tanapag, which work hand in hand with federal agencies.

The House of Representatives yesterday passed a Senate proposal laying down qualifications for the CNMI’s Attorney General aimed at updating earlier laws that set the requirements for the position. The AG appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate must be a resident of the Commonwealth, a graduate of law school accredited by the American Bar Association and a member of the CNMI Bar for at least three years before his or her appointment. These are among the amendments made to existing statutes governing the AG post under Senate Bill 12-24 offered by Sen. Edward U. Maratita.

NMHC saves over $1.18M from debt pact with MPLT[/B]

The Northern Marianas Housing Corporation’s restructured debt service agreement with the Marianas Public Land Trust is projected to result in savings of more than $1.18 million a month. The money saved is equivalent to the financing of at least one new home a month and if the relief is calculated for the 10-year period of the debt moratorium, NMHC stands to benefit from close to $12 million in additional funding from the MPLT. This was made possible by the implementation of Public Law 12-27, which granted an appropriation of MPLT’s future distributions to the General Fund to be used to repay the housing agency’s loan.

The Commonwealth’s chapter of the Society of Human Resource Management, the CNMI’s professional personnel organization, will be holding its monthly membership meeting on May 10 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Judith Anderson, board agent and attorney, will be special guest speaker at this month’s meeting. Ms. Anderson will discuss with the SHRM members and guests the role of the NLRB, protected actions of employees, and how rights of union employees have recently been extended to non-union employees with regard to employer investigations of employee misconduct.

CUC helping workers with trapped paychecks at BoS[/B]

Commonwealth Utilities Corp. executive director Bernard P. Villagomez said his management is assisting the 28 employees who did not get their salaries Friday last week because their payroll was directly deposited to the Bank of Saipan get their paychecks. “CUC employees affected by the Bank of Saipan’s temporary closure requested that we release their next paycheck now,” said Villagomez in a report to the CUC Board. “These checks are being processed to assist the employees.” He said, though, that the checks would not translate to payroll advances, which are not normally allowed by the utility firm. “This is money that they’ve already earned, not cash advances.” Villagomez was not available for clarification yesterday.

A bill that appropriates $1.08 million from fees collected under Saipan Local Law 11-2 now goes to Gov. Juan N. Babauta after the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative delegation passed the bill during yesterday’s session. The measure was intended to supplement the budget of the Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council and for the renovation and improvement of the Honorable Pedro P. Nakatsukasa Building. It allocates $120,000 for the operational cost of the municipal council and the renovation of the Nakatsukasa Building. It also set aside $600,000 for the Street Naming Commission so it could go about its business of naming the streets of Saipan.