Potluck celebrates successful transition, inauguration activities

Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang thanks the people who showed up at their potluck gathering to celebrate the smooth and successful transition and inauguration activities, at the Civic Center in Susupe yesterday. Also in the photo, seated at the same table listening to Apatang’s speech, is Gov. Arnold I. Palacios. (FERDIE DE LA TORRE)

Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang joined a potluck gathering by their supporters at the Civic Center in Susupe yesterday to celebrate the smooth and successful transition and inauguration activities for the new administration.

Palacios told the crowd of less than 150 people that he and Apatang want to extend their appreciation to the transition and inauguration committee officials and members for all their hard work.

Palacios said the transition and inauguration activities were a challenge because they had a runoff election and election results certification issue.

“It took us time to organize the inauguration and the transition. But be that as it may, we got through it. We got through it because of a lot of people were giving a lot of work from both committees,” the governor said.

He said a lot of people were impressed with the inauguration despite the challenges.

Palacios said it was a well-organized inauguration and that the guests from off island were impressed by the simplicity of the event.

“Thank you to the transition and inauguration committees. It was a job well done,” the governor said.

Apatang said they appreciate everybody’s effort and hard work, and described the inauguration preparation as similar to a war room as people were jumping left to right trying to get things organized.

“We’re putting our heads together, working together, it’s always a good effort. At the end, we came out with good results. It’s very impressive inauguration,” he said.

Oscar M. Babauta, chairman of the Palacios-Apatang inauguration committee, said the executive committee recommended that they get together with the entire team and show their appreciation to the hardworking members and supporters of the transition and inauguration committees.

“So we are having a sort of a family picnic,” said Babauta, referring to their gathering in a tent near the basketball court that started at 11am.

Transition committee chair Claudio K. Norita thanked not only the Palacios-Apatang supporters but also the Democratic Party team who, according to him, came to really help “all the way from the start to the finish line.”

“I know it’s a small gathering of our actual supporters. I think people are moving back to their lives, their jobs and other commitments today. But I’m glad that you’re here. I hope that you will share our appreciation today with all of our friends and family for their hard work, for the support in this campaign,” Norita said.

Among those seen at the gathering were Senate President Edith E. DeLeon Guerrero (D-Saipan), Sen. Celina R. Babauta (D-Saipan), Rep. Ralph N. Yumul (Ind-Saipan), Rep. Vincent Aldan (Ind-Saipan), Rep. Roman Benavente (Ind-Saipan), and Rep. Blas Jonathan T. Attao (Ind-Saipan).