COMMUNITY BRIEFS

MTEC MEMBERSHIP MEETING TODAY

The Marianas Tourism Education Council will be holding its annual membership meeting today, Sept. 29, 2005, at the Pacific Islands Club Napu Room.

The purposes of the council are: (a) to foster and improve community understanding of the visitor industry; (b) educate the general public, especially school students, about the value, social benefits, and economic contributions made to the community by the visitor industry; and (c) instill, improve and promote the “hafa adai” hospitality spirit throughout the Northern Mariana Islands community.

Any person, business entity, organization or agency interested in becoming a member of MTEC is welcomed to attend. For more information, contact Jocelyn Pascua at MVA at 664-3200.

ATTENTION TO ROTA CANDIDATES, TREASURERS

The Office of the Public Auditor will be conducting a presentation on Campaign Finance Reporting today, Sept. 29, from 5pm to 7pm, at the CPA Conference Room of the Rota Airport.

Presentation to be conducted by Public Auditor Michael S. Sablan, assisted by Geraldine B. Demapan and James Livingstone.

For more information, call the Rota Office at 532-6481.

DPS TO CONDUCT OP/CR, SOBRIETY CHECKPOINTS

The Department of Public Safety’s Traffic will be conducting sobriety and Occupant Protection and Child Restraint checkpoints, or OP/CR checkpoints on Friday, Sept. 30.

DPS would conduct its first of two sobriety checkpoints on Friday from 8pm to 9:15pm on Beach Road Susupe by the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Hall. The second setup will then be from 10:30pm to 11:15pm on 2W Garapan by Highway Market.

Each checkpoint conducted will last at least 75 minutes, or 1 hour 15 minutes, at each location. This activity is part of the DPS’ efforts to deter and detect impaired driving and to ensure that all vehicle occupants are protected.

In addition, DPS traffic officers will be conducting highway criminal interdictions, saturation patrols, aggressive driver interdictions, and laser activities. For more information, contact Sgt. Joseph Flores at 664-9084-5. (PR)

APPLICATION FOR ABSENTEE VOTING DUE OCT. 26

The Commonwealth Election Commission is informing all registered voter who will be away from the Northern Mariana Islands on election day that they need to apply to vote by absentee voting in order to receive a ballot on which they could cast their vote. The commission will only send ballots to those who apply to vote by absentee voting.

Individuals who registered to vote from outside the Northern Mariana Islands and who will be away from the Northern Mariana Islands on election day must still need to apply to vote by absentee voting in order to be provided a ballot that they could cast and return by mail to the Election Commission’s mailing address.

All requests to vote by absentee voting must be completed and submitted to the commission by Oct. 26, 2005. Applications to vote by absentee voting may be downloaded and printed at http://www.votecnmi.gov.mp/downloads/absentee_ballot.pdf and the application may be sent to the commission by mail or by facsimile.

Anyone requiring more information on any election matter is asked to call the commission at 664-VOTE or by email to cec@saipan.com or info@votecnmi.gov.mp. (PR)

PAWS FUNDRAISER MEETING ON OCT. 5

Doggie wash? Family pet show? Walkathon?

Pet Assistance and Welfare Services, or PAWS, has come up with some great ideas for its next fundraising event, but the organization needs the public’s help to make them happen.

Any PAWS member or member wannabe who would like to lend a helping hand in planning and carrying out some fun activities in support of PAWS programs, please come to a meeting at San Antonio Elementary School, Room B-3, on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 5:30pm.
PAWS welcomes your ideas, your energy, and your commitment to helping Saipan’s pets. For more information, e-mail directors@paws-saipan.org or call 322-9464. (PR)

WEDNESDAY NIGHT WILDNESS @ GIG

Music lovers and club denizens will get a special treat tonight as the weekly party catering to Filipinos continue to attract a huge crowd.

Taking center stage to delight the crowd is Saipan’s most sought-after band, the Big Beats band, showcasing the singing prowess of their new female vocalist.

To make it more affordable, cover charge is being lowered to $6 per head inclusive of one local drink.

Today’s birthday celebrants can get in for free. Just present a birth certificate or a driver’s license or call 234-5050 for more details. (PR)