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Casino commissioners set to fly to Las Vegas this February
Saipan Casino Commission commissioners Juan Sablan, Alvaro Santos, Joseph Reyes, Justin S. Manglona, and the would-be commissioner from Tinian are set to travel to Las Vegas, Nevada, next month to learn first-hand how a casino operates.
“All of us will have to be trained because we have no knowledge about the casino industry,” said Sablan in an interview yesterday afternoon following the commission’s meeting at the Governor’s Office on Capitol Hill.
Sablan added that by that time hopefully a commissioner from Tinian would’ve been appointed and confirmed by the Tinian Legislative Delegation.
“We’ve talked to JP San Nicolas and he said he’s going to appoint a commissioner from Tinian and hopefully he or she will confirmed by the delegation.”
In related news, Sablan said the commission is just about ready to name its executive director. He said the commission received four applications for the job opening and that the four commissioners will make a decision by next week.
He said after the naming of the executive director, the commission will then choose among five applicants for the legal counsel position, this time with the help from the executive director.
“I want the executive director to be part of the process of choosing the legal counsel because they’re going to work together.”
Last month, the commission also adopted its rules and bylaws.
Sablan added that aside from the executive director and legal counsel positions, the commission is also looking at finalizing the renovations at their office, which is located at the former Credit Union building on Capital Hill.
When they’re finally settled in and both the executive director and legal counsel positions filled, Sablan said they would now be really ready to tackle their mandate to regulate the island’s casino industry.
He said they have yet to meet officials of Saipan integrated casino developer, Best Sunshine International, Ltd.
“Not at this point as they were off-island during the holidays. We’re planning to meet with Best Sunshine after we choose the executive director. We will meet with them at their convenient schedule.”
