COMMUNITY BRIEFS

AGING, DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER OPENS

The Office on Aging, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, announces the opening of the Aging and Disability Resource Center, a one-stop center helping individuals aged 60 and over and adults with disabilities to access clear and uniform information and counseling on all available services.

The ADRC provides information and referral in determining the eligibility of individuals for public and private long-term support programs and benefits that can help them with their special needs. It also directs and guides individuals in accessing needed support and the services of agencies within the network.

For assistance or more information, call the Aging and Disability Resource Center at 670-664-2598 or the Office on Aging at 670-233-1320 or visit the ADRC at 1347 Ascencion Ct., Capitol Hill.

VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS WANTED

Wanted: CNMI volunteer firefighters. For those interested, there will be a general meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2005 at 6pm at the Airport Fire Station.

If you need more information, contact the Airport Fire Department at 664-3513 or 2542 or email cpa.torres@saipan.com

Minimum qualifications to become a volunteer firefighter include:

• Graduation from high school or equivalent (G.E.D.) is desired. If none, must complete a G.E.D. prior to receiving firefighter certification;

• Shall not be less than 18 years old;

• Shall have no record of felony or criminal conviction;

• Must posses a valid CNMI drivers license;

• Must be in good medical health in order to perform strenuous firefighting duties. A medical, physical exam must be completed prior to certification training;

• Must have the commitment and dedication to be a volunteer firefighter;

• Must pass a urine drug test;

• Must be a U.S. citizen or resident from the Freely Associated States of Micronesia;

• Must pass a physical fitness test prior to Firefighter I certification test:

-1 mile run within 12:00 minutes

-40 sit-ups within 2:00 minutes

-30 push-ups within 2:00 minutes

DEADLINE LOOMS FOR TAX AMNESTY

The Department of Finance is reminding delinquent taxpayers that the deadline to apply for tax amnesty under Public Law 14-28 is on Jan. 19, 2005.

The department’s Division of Revenue and Taxation and the Division of Customs Services said in a statement that they will use their full authority after the amnesty filing deadline to enforce collection on all outstanding tax obligations from taxpayers.

“The Department of Finance encourages all delinquent taxpayers with outstanding tax obligations to visit the respective division to clear their obligations before the tax amnesty program expires on [Jan. 19],” said Finance Secretary Fermin M. Atalig in the statement.

RENEWAL OF MILITARY CARDS

A representative from the 9th RSC Hawaii I.D. Card Section will be on Saipan on Jan. 7-12, 2005. They will be at the Army Reserve Center from 7:30am to 4:30pm to issue/renew I.D. Cards to military, reservist, retirees, and their dependents. Call the Reserve Center at 322-6680 or the Military and Veterans Affairs Office at 664-2650.

CHAMORRO/CAROLINIAN LANGUAGES SURVEY ON

The Chamorro/Carolinian Language Policy Commission is now conducting a community language survey on the indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian languages used at home and in the community.

The survey will be conducted on the islands of Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and the Northern Islands.

The commission is asking the community’s cooperation in the survey. They are requested to accommodate the persons tasked to conduct the study as well as answer their questions as honestly as possible.

The Chamorro/Carolinian Language Policy Commission is under the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs.

For more information, call the language commission’s office at 288-5321/26/27.

2004 W-2CM FORMS DISTRIBUTION ONGOING

The Division of Revenue and Taxation wishes to inform all CNMI employers that the distribution of the 2004 W-2CM forms and instructions is ongoing.

All businesses and employers are asked to pick up forms during the regular business hours, from 8am to 4pm, at the office of the Division of Revenue and Taxation located at the Dandan Commercial Center. The deadline for filing 2004 W-2CM form is Feb. 28, 2005 at 4:30pm.