COMMUNITY BRIEFS – December 1, 2011

USS Columbia to make first visit to Saipan

The USS Columbia, a Los Angeles class submarine, and the eighth ship of the U.S. Navy to carry that name, will arrive at Charlie Dock Thursday morning around 10am. The USS Columbia will carry 110 officers and crew and will making its first visit to Saipan. The USS Columbia is scheduled to depart at the beginning of next week.

The USS Columbia was launched on Sept. 24, 1994, with the traditional slide down a 1,300-foot wooden ramp, the last American submarine expected to be launched in this dramatic fashion. Future submarines built in the United States will be launched by flooding the dry dock where they are built. Columbia was sponsored by Hillary Rodham Clinton, and commissioned on Oct. 9, 1995. Currently, USS Columbia is under the command of Commander Dennis J. Klein, with Lt. Commander Melvyn Naidas as his executive officer, and Master Chief Donald Williams Jr. as its chief of the boat. (SCC)

DEQ brigade seeks volunteers for cleanup

The Division of Environmental Quality monthly cleanup brigade is deviating from its regular 1st Saturday of the month schedule and has scheduled its December cleanup on Dec. 17, 2011, picking up trash at Old Man by the Sea, Saipan. The beach is littered with float and jet-stream trash and it needs our help so DEQ is asking for more volunteers to join this particular cleanup.

If you would like to volunteer, please meet the DEQ representative on Saturday, Dec. 17, at 8am along the road heading to Kingfisher Golf. Volunteers will split into groups and clean until 10am and break for drinks and then continue, if needed.

This month, outstanding brigade volunteers who participated in at least 10 monthly cleanups will receive a brigade cap and those who participated in at least three cleanups will receive a green brigade t-shirt.

For more information about volunteering, contact the DEQ office at 664-8500/1. (DEQ)

Pohnpei runoff election this Dec. 6

Pohnpei State runoff election for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, Dec. 6, at the Garapan Central Park Round House. Pohnpei incumbent Gov. John Ehsa will face former three-term governor Johnny David for the top post of governor. In the lieutenant governor’s race, a lady candidate topped three men in the general election to lead the race for the lieutenant governor’s post. Kiuhmina Albert will face Kolonia Town Mayor Marcello Peterson in the race for the lieutenant governor’s seat. The polls will open at 7am to 7pm. All eligible voters from Pohnpei are urged to participate in this important election. For more information, contact your community leaders. (PR)

Drivers urged to watch out for cyclists

Motorists are being urged to be particularly cautious when driving on the morning of Saturday, Dec. 3, when the CNMI hosts the 5th Annual Hell of the Marianas Century Cycle.

Cyclists will be riding in packs from 6:30am to 9:30am on the northbound lane of Isa Drive near San Vicente, Papago, Kagman and Capital Hill. There will be cones to indicate the bike lane as well as DPS officers and official media vehicles. If motorists can circumvent these portions of Isa Drive in the morning, it will prevent heavy traffic congestion and enhance safety for all.

For additional safety measures, the public is being encouraged to restrain their dogs in the morning along the route.

Drivers are being urged to be careful as more bicyclists will be training from now until Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011. (PR)