Community Briefs

LAST DAY TO RENEW MILITARY CARDS

Today is the last day for military, reservist, retirees, and their dependents to renew their military I.D. cards. A representative from the 9th RSC Hawaii I.D. Card Section is 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.

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 age 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.

SAIPAN STUDENTS INVITED TO JOIN EXCHANGE PROGRAM

The Office of the Mayor of Saipan is inviting students to participate in the 2005 Sanpo-En Winter Cultural Students Exchange Program to be held on Nagoya, Japan, from Feb. 11 to 16, 2005.

Only 12 students will be accepted for the program.

The following requirements must be met in order to travel to Japan:

* Must be a Saipan Student between the age of 15-17 years old;

* Must have a valid passport not to expire within the next six months; (for non U.S. citizens students, you are required to obtain a tourist visa to enter Japan);

* Must submit a copy of passport and or Japan tourist visa;

* Must submit $284.70 for round trip airfare;

* Must submit $4.70 for group travel insurance coverage;

* Must have at least $300 for personal expenses;

* Must submit application form, two 2”x2” photos and with payments to the Mayor’s Office;

* Interested students must pick up an application form at the Mayor’s Youth Learning Center in Chalan Kanoa, District #3, next to the basketball court or the corner of Gregorio’s Avenue and Hilarion Street.

All listed requirements must be met and submitted to the Mayor’s Youth Learning Center no later than Friday, Jan. 21, 2005.

For more information, contact the Mayor’s Office at 234-6208/80, or youth program coordinator Olinka C. Chaudhry or youth assistant Jemalyn T. Tenorio at 234-6211.

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 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 residents 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.