Flashback – April 2000-April 2002

Apr. 4, 2000

Permit delay hinders construction of big hotel

A multi-million hotel project to be managed by Hilton International is facing rough sailing as a result of the delay it has encountered in acquiring a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife. The Obyan Beach Resort project, to be undertaken by San Francisco-based Haas & Haynie Corp., will include the construction of 500-room hotel and two 18-hole championship golf courses. Investors of the project have met with Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio expressing their desire to continue with the planned development which has been stalled for four years now.

CDA asks $500K more from SBA

The Commonwealth Development Authority will seek additional funding from the Guam-based United States Small Business Administration to sustain the demand for small- and medium-scale business loans under its Microloan Program. Board Chairman John S. Tenorio said CDA would be asking SBA for at least $500,000 in additional funds to meet the need for start-up and expansion capital by Northern Marianas entrepreneurs. Mr. Tenorio said at least 11 small-scale businessmen obtained fresh capital from the Microloan Program instituted by the development authority through a seed fund obtained from the Small Business Administration.

Apr. 4, 2001

AGO says titles may be transferred to govt entities

Legal impediments in the operation of financing programs of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development in the CNMI have all been cleared after the Attorney General said a transfer of title can occur between local and federal governmental agencies. The Attorney General’s opinion is expected to ease doubts regarding whether NMHC can actually enter a Memorandum Of Agreement with HUD in connection with its housing programs. Attorney General Herbert D. Soll clarified the issue of whether NMHC is considered a person of the Northern Marianas descent in connection with Article XII of the CNMI Constitution.

Businessmen asked to press repeal of 3-yr. stay limit law

As the Senate prepares to debate on what bill it would choose to decide the fate of Public Law 11-69, Saipan Chamber of Commerce leaders yesterday urged members and non-members alike to attend the session tomorrow. Chamber President Anthony Pellegrino called on all businessmen in the Commonwealth to go up to Capitol Hill and voice their support for either the repeal of the three-year limit law or Senator Ramon Guerrero’s compromise bill. “The Senate will be debating on the three-year limit this Thursday. This would be a make or break deal for all of us. Businessmen should all come in full force to show our unity in this issue,” Mr. Pellegrino said.

Apr. 4, 2002

CPA sets sight on better NMI ports

The Commonwealth Ports Authority will continue to implement aggressive programs to improve port facilities and deliver port services without straining local coffers amid the continued decline of the local economy. This was promised by CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas whose contract was renewed by the CPA Board after two consecutive 30-day extensions. In a memorandum released to all members of the CPA Board, Salas vowed to accept challenges posed by the economic hardships brought on by the September 11 tragedies in the United States and the Asian economic crunch.

OPA rebuffs Maritech anew

The Office of the Public Auditor has rebuffed the second appeal filed by an information technology company, after the Department of Finance expressed its intent to award a contract for computer programming services to A.O. Enterprises. In a decision addressed to G. Anthony Long, legal counsel for the Marianas Information Technology Corp. (Maritech) dated April 2, Public Auditor Michael S. Sablan said Maritech’s arguments failed to convince the OPA that its original decision contained errors that would require a reversal or changes in that decision. “We affirm the findings of fact presented in our appeal decision, as well as our legal conclusions….Maritech’s request for reconsideration is denied in its entirety,” said . This was the second denial made by the OPA on the appeals filed by Maritech in connection with this case.