Flashback – April 2002-April 2004

April 3, 2002

US envoys pledge to help promote NMI

A senior lawmaker’s efforts to promote the Commonwealth as a tourism and investment destination has borne fruit, after securing the commitment of American embassies in Japan and South Korea in helping the CNMI promote itself in these countries. In letters addressed to Rep. William S. Torres, U.S. Ambassador to Tokyo Howard H. Baker Jr. and U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Thomas C. Hubbard both pledged to use the ample resources of their respective embassies in promoting the CNMI as part of tourism and investment efforts for the United States. In his letter to Torres, Baker said he has already instructed the embassy’s Commercial Section-which has an active tourism promotion program-to work with the Marianas Visitors Authority to promote increased Japanese travel to the Commonwealth.

Bill seeks to slash board, commission seats

Coming on the heels of other cost-cutting measures, Senate Floor Leader Joaquin G. Adriano has introduced a measure that would uniformly reduce the number of members of all boards and commissions in the Commonwealth to just five, with terms that would expire with the term of the appointing governor. Although compensation for meetings attended would be increased, Adriano said his bill, Senate Bill 13-42, would effectively reduce the operational cost of all boards and commissions in the Commonwealth. “In light of the dwindling financial resources of the CNMI government, it is necessary to reduce costs while maintaining the delivery of essential services to the public,” he said yesterday.

April 3, 2003

Proponents fine-tune drag racing bill

Legislators are fine-tuning a bill seeking to legalize drag racing in the Northern Marianas, as part of efforts to ensure the safety of both the racers and the spectators, according to Saipan Rep. Martin B. Ada.In an interview, Ada disclosed that proponents of House Bill 13-256 are scrutinizing every aspect of the drag racing legalization plan, noting that safety is on top of their list of priorities. Also, the congressman said that they are addressing some of the concerns raised about the plan, including environmental and land use issues. He added that they are also checking with the Historical Preservation Office to be sure that the land area, which will be used for the activity, does not have historical value.

SEDC: Summer start for pedestrian mall

With the near-completion of design plans for The Promenade, the $2.8 million pedestrian mall in Garapan, the Strategic Economic Development Council is anticipating an early summer groundbreaking for the project that will help stimulate the local construction economy and give a much-needed facelift to Saipan’s main tourist district. At its monthly meeting earlier last week, SEDC Chairman and Governor’s Special Assistant for Capital Improvement Project Management Chuck Jordan projected a 12-14 month construction period for the project, which the Council hopes to open at the same time as the American Memorial Park Visitors Center in June 2004.

April 3, 2004

CRMO suspends quarry permit

The Coastal Resources Management Office has temporarily stopped quarry operations on Capitol Hill, saying they have caused adverse public safety and environmental impacts that include cracks on building structures and soil. CRMO director Joaquin D. Salas issued a cease and desist order to Solid Builders’ Ben Fejeran. Salas said CRMO’s enforcement officers noted the impacts in a recent site inspection. “The findings of the site inspection show that the cracks on the interior floor of the nearby homes, cracks on the walls, cracks on the walkways and the separation of the walkways from the building structures have increased in width in addition to new cracks on the soil,” Salas said.

House lauds Guerrero

House Rep. Timothy Villagomez paid tribute to Guam Business magazine’s Executive of the Year Juan “Pan” T. Deleon Guerrero during a brief ceremony Thursday at the lower house. Villagomez handed Guerrero a plaque of recognition for his untiring sense of community spirit and his involvement in the business community. “Whether he is sitting behind his desk running his many businesses, hacking away on some golf course or selling tickets for the American Red Cross Club 200, Juan never looks tired. He seems to be always ready to tackle new challenges, take on a new adventure,” the representative said.