Who they are, what you see, and what you don’t

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE CANDIDATES
Precinct 1 Candidates

Editor’s Note: There are 17 candidates for this precinct. Only four candidates managed to send in their responses to the Saipan Tribune as of press time yesterday. The responses of candidates Jesus C. Muna, Nicolas P. Blas, and Joseph C. Reyes have already been featured in previous editions. Today, we feature Herman P. Sablan.

HERMAN PANGELINAN SABLAN
Covenant Party

Personal Background
Date of birth: April 13, 1943
Spouse: Ana Muna Sablan
Children: Ashley, Marvin, Kolin, Leilani

Educational Background:
Elementary: William S. Reyes Elementary School (WSR)
High School: Mount Carmel High School, Mount Carmel
College: Guam Community College, AA in Criminal Justice
Post graduate: University of Guam, Secondary Education and Criminal Justice (132 total credit hours)
Los Angeles Community College-Fire Science, California

Professional Background:
Military:
U.S. Army (1964-1966)-Armored Infantry- E-4
U.S. Air Force National Guard (1976-1991) –254th Civil Engineering Squadron, Anderson Air Force Base Guam-Technical Sergeant

Work Experience:
1966-1967 Hopwood Jr. High School-teacher
1967-1969 Budget & Finance-T.T. Headquarters-budget analyst
1969-1976 Bank of America (Guam & Saipan branch)
1975-1977 Work under CETA: Customs & Quarantine, Guam
1977-1993 Guam Fire Department-retired assistant fire chief
1995-1998 Labor & Immigration-mediator
1998-2003 DPS Fire director-retired
2004-2005 Sablan Topline-operation manager

Q. What would you consider the top issues or concerns facing the CNMI that demand immediate action from our government leaders?

A. Economy, public health, education, government ethics, environment, criminal justice.

Q. What ideas can you bring to the table to revive the CNMI economy?

A. Better federal relation, better relation with Asian nations, and amending the Covenant and local laws that are absolute and are not conducive to business environment.

Q. What is your vision for the Commonwealth? And what are the steps that must be taken to achieve that vision?

1. Self-sustaining CNMI through sound business practices;

2. As Americans, we should be proud and be ever vigilant to preserve world peace.

Q. What needs to be changed in people’s ways of thinking and doing things as a means to achieve your vision? How can that shift in thinking be achieved?

A. Echoing the famous speech of President Abe Lincoln: We must have a government of the people, by the people, for the people.

SENATORIAL CANDIDATES

First Senatorial District (Rota) Candidates

Editor’s Note: There are six candidates for this senatorial district. Only one candidate’s response managed to make it to yesterday’s deadline.

FELIX TAISACAN MENDIOLA
Covenant Party

Personal Background
Spouse: Winnie De Leon Guerrero Mendiola
Children: Trent James Mendiola, West Monroe Mendiola, Daniel Joshua Mendiola, Kenneth DLG. Concepcion, Marvin DLG. Concepcion, Kelvin Lamar Blair, Jarret James Blair and Katherine Renee Doris

Educational Background:

* Master of Science in Management/Bachelor of Science in Business Administration 1979, California National University, Sacramento, California

* Certificate, Total Quality Management, U.S.A. Group/National Quality Academy, 1996, Appleton, Wisconsin

* Graduate, Command and General Staff College, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, 1988, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

* Graduate, Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course, 1986, Fort Sill, Oklahoma

* Graduate, Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, 1982, Fort Sill, Oklahoma

* Graduate, Officer Candidate School (OCS), 1982, Fort Benning, Georgia

* Graduate, First United States Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy, 1971, Fort Knox, Kentucky

* Graduate, Tropic Lightning Combat Leaders Academy, Cuchi, Vietnam, 1969

* Extensive military education and training, 1968-1989 (details will be furnish upon request)

Professional background (abridged)
2000-present Adjunct Instructor, Management, Business, and Criminal Justice, Northern Marianas College; president and owner, Zarpana Consulting Services; part-time farmer/fisherman
1999-2000 Rota Campus Administrator, NMC
1998-1999 Acting Rota Campus Administrator, NMC
1996-1998 Program Coordinator/Instructor, Rota Campus
1994-1996 Director, Public Safety Administration Department, NMC, Saipan Campus
1992-1994 Chief of Staff, Fourth (4th) Rota Municipal Council, Rota
1991-1992 Capital Improvement Project Coordinator, Department of Public Works, Lower Base, Saipan, CNMI
1989-1991 Self-employed farmer/rancher/fisherman, Rota

Awards and Decorations (military/civilian)

* Bronze Star Medal, Vietnam, 1970

* Army Commendation Medals (5 awards), 1977-1989

* Army Achievement Medals (4 awards), 1977-1989

* Distinguished Leader Award, 1988

* Good Conduct Medal (2 awards) 1968-1972

* Parachute Badge – Airborne Course, 1968

* Numerous Certificates of Achievement and of Commendations, 1977-1989

* Numerous Certificates of Recognition and of Appreciation from various CNMI government agencies, 1992-2004

* CNMI Senate Resolution in recognition for exemplary military service, and being the first native son of Rota to receive a commissioned officer appointment by the president of the United States, while serving the U.S. Army, 2005

Professional Involvement

* President, Rota Marketing Cooperative Association, present (2005)

* Board of Directors (former president, Vet. Assoc.—1989) Rota Veterans Association, present (2205)

* Manager, Committee-To-Elect Alejo M. Mendiola for Congress (Former Congressman/Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives)

* President, Ecotourism Society Association, Rota, 1998-2000

* Dive Rescue (Volunteer) Team Member, Boating Safety, DPS, 1996-2000

* Member, Academic Council, NMC, Saipan, 1994-1997

* Administrator, Soil and Water Conservation (Governor appointed-Rota), 1993-1994

* Member, U.S. Army Airborne Association, 1968-1989
Scout Master, Grafenwohr, Germany, 1986-1988

* Scout Master, Fort Ord, California, 1981-1982

Q. What would you consider the top three issues or concerns facing the CNMI that demand immediate action from our government leaders?

* Amidst our current economic slump that adversely affects our general well-being, I strongly believe that the most critical issues that mandate immediate resolve are our public utility crisis (power, water, etc., including the surcharge, and the ever increasing cost of fuel), public health and education.

Q. What ideas can you bring to the table to revive the CNMI economy?

* As specified in our Covenant Party platform, the objective is to develop a strong and vibrant private sector with abundant business opportunities and more higher-paying jobs; support and further develop tourism; attract new industries to compensate for losses in garment industry and diversify our economy; create a marketing plan to entice other manufacturers into the CNMI; prolong the survival of the local garment industry until other industries emerge to replace lost revenues; establish sound financial management for our local government; curb waste and abuse; and the list goes on.

Q. What is your vision for the Commonwealth?

* I envision a Commonwealth where strict adherence to ethical standards of conduct becomes the norm for both our leaders and subordinates alike; where the essential needs of the majority takes precedence over other less urgent needs or interests; where both the short- and long-term plans are exacted (based on needs), and/or projected growth and development; where unemployment is kept at a bare minimum; where the merit system becomes the yardstick for one’s advancement; where our economy is sufficiently diversified to sustain a progressively strong and vibrant economic posture; and where our environmental protection measures will indeed promote our islands as a tropical paradise.

Q. What are the steps that must be taken to achieve that vision?
* Establish and enforce the code of ethics.

* Look at, and listen to the people’s plight and demands to better determine their needs.

* Develop sound community planning (short- and long-term), with more realistic goals and objectives to better meet public demands, while relenting to future growth and development concepts and strategies.

* Better support existing businesses; attract and/or entice new industries.

* Establish the merit system for government employment.

* Establish a more stringent environmental protection/enforcement measures.

* Upgrade employment selection and performance evaluation criteria to effectively support the merit system.

* Make people responsible and accountable for their actions or inactions, through enforcement measures.

Q. What needs to be changed in people’s ways of thinking and doing things as a means to help you achieve your vision? How can that shift in thinking be achieved?
* Promote public education, through the media, schools, etc., as a medium for change, to include the above steps.

* Empower the people to activate or effectively influence needed changes (our current practice in government seems to be mostly a government of the people and for the people. The time is now when the people must have more voice in government, where even the power of petition may be used, as a last resort.

Editor”s Note: None of the four senatorial candidates for the Second Senatorial District (Tinian) submitted a response to the Saipan Tribune’s questionnaire.

First Senatorial District (Saipan & Northern Islands) Candidates

CLAUDIO “CLYDE” KOTOMOR NORITA
Covenant Party

Personal Background
Spouse: Jenita Babauta Castro
Children: Cody Julian, Vicky Jean, Maegan Julia, Ashley Ann and C. Joshua.

Educational Background:
Tanapag Elementary School
Mount Carmel High School, Class of 1984
Northern Marianas College, Associated of Applied Science in Criminal Justice

Professional Background:
Current Job: Representative, 14th CNMI Legislature
2003 to January 2004; President Jural Group, Information and Security Consulting

In 2002, retired as a Police Major, CNMI Department of Public Safety, after 20 years of exceptional service.

In 1984, joined the CNMI Department of Public Safety as a Police Cadet. Graduated from the CNMI Police Academy with highest honors as the class valedictorian.

Worked various sections within DPS, including Corrections, Patrol, Traffic, Criminal Investigation and Drug Task Force.

Management Positions in DPS:
In 1989, appointed Senior Drug Investigator for the CNMI Drug Task Force.
1990, appointed Special Agent in Charge for Special Operations.
1991, appointed Chief of Criminal Investigation Division (CID).
1995, appointed Chief of Federal Programs.
1998, appointed Chief of Special Services, overseeing Federal Programs, Special Operations, Training and Development, Community Policing, and Criminal Justice Information Systems.

Q. What would you consider the top three issues or concerns facing the CNMI that demand immediate action from our government leaders?

I believe that the economy is the most critical issue facing the CNMI. Although there are other pressing issues, such as quality health care and education, reliable power and water distribution, among many other concerns, everything depends upon a strong and vibrant economy for funding and support. Once we fix the economy and bring in new money, our other areas of concern can be addressed with appropriate funding and good management.

Q. What ideas can you bring to the table to revive the CNMI economy?

Reviving the CNMI economy requires three specific responses.

First and foremost is the immediate response to stop the obvious exodus of businesses that are already here in the CNMI. We need to cut government red tape and unrealistic fees that place additional and unreasonable burdens on our existing businesses. We should change our attitude and be more responsive to their needs so they can operate and flourish here in the CNMI. We should look at incentives to entice these businesses to stay and continue contributing to our local economy and society.

Secondly, we should tighten our belts and prioritize government spending. We need to look at our government spending and reduce expenses. Such reductions can be found in looking at a part-time legislature. This alone could save as much as $3.4 million dollars. We must cut government travel and use modern technologies, such as the Internet and e-mail communication, for training and communications. The use of teleconferencing technology is already here. Why we haven’t fully maximized it is my question.

In prioritizing our government spending, we also have to be mindful of health, education and welfare. We must also put money into programs and agencies that would ensure a good return on our government’s investments. Through sound fiscal planning, strategic belt-tightening and prioritizing, we could easily realize substantial savings and increase our revenues within a few years, eventually reaching previous government resource levels, which would be more comfortable for the CNMI.

Lastly, we should turn the CNMI into an investor-friendly destination. We preach about inviting investors into the CNMI, yet we don’t create the environment that reflects our invitation. The treatment of the businesses here in the CNMI is enough to scare away any investor. We should create a conducive, investor-friendly CNMI. This can be done by overhauling our labor regulations, our public land leases, our tax incentives and exemptions, and other laws and regulations that seem to be more of a hindrance or barrier to visiting investor.

Q. What is your vision for the CNMI? And the steps to be taken?

My vision for the CNMI is to be the premiere U.S. territory, offering tourism, manufacturing and educational services to a wide variety of different market segments, from Asia to the U.S. and beyond.

As a U.S. territory, the CNMI is the only U.S. possession with a unique benefit to offer countries in the Asia-Pacific. Our ability to control our own immigration and minimum wage, and the security and safety of a U.S. possession, should be the means to expand our tourism market and rescue our apparel industry, as well as establish diversified new industries, including legitimate educational institutions serving students from Asia and abroad.

Q. What needs to be changed in people’s ways of thinking and doing things as a means to help achieve our vision and goals?

I believe the most obvious step to achieve our vision and goals would be to change our attitudes. As we can see, our Commonwealth is going through a rude financial awakening. We need to set aside personal and political differences or agendas, so that we can all revive our ailing economy. It is said that we have all theses advantages guaranteed by our Covenant agreement with the United States, yet our failure to see beyond our own personal differences and agendas will only lead to many missed opportunities and to our own downfall if we don’t wake up and start working together in close cooperation for the benefit of our entire Commonwealth.

As William James said, “The greatest discovery of any generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude.”

PETE PANGELINAN REYES
Independent

Educational Background:
University of Guam
John F. Kennedy, Guam

Professional Background:
* Senator, from the 11th to the 14th CNMI Legislature

* Chairman, Saipan & Northern Islands Legislative Delegation, from 12th to 14th Legislature

* Member, House of Representatives, from the 8th to the 10th CNMI Legislature;

* Vice-Chairman, Saipan & Northern Islands Legislative Delegation, 9th CNMI Legislature

* Chief of Customs Service, Division of Customs Service, Department of Finance: Commissioned Lieutenant Colonel

* Consultant/Researcher, Senate, CNMI Legislature

* Compliance Branch Manager, Division of Revenue & Taxation, Department Of Finance

* Payroll Branch Manager, Department of Finance (T.T. Government)

* Bank Teller/Collector, Bank of America/Guam

* Supply Ordinance Specialist-SP5, E-5, U.S. Army

Q. What would you consider the top three issues or concerns facing the CNMI that demand immediate action from our government leaders?

A. The Economy
B. Island Infrastructure
C. Education

Q. What ideas can you bring to the table to revive the CNMI economy?

Businesses are the backbone of our government. Therefore, the government must promote partnership with the business community by downsizing unnecessary government bureaucracy and establishing friendly business policies. This attitude will not only assist the current businesses operating on the island to generate more revenues, but will also entice potential investors to the Commonwealth.

The CNMI is blessed with the most consistent climate in the world and is very attractive to foreign investors due to its close proximity to Asia. We also have one of the best telecommunication systems in place. While there is still room for improvement in the area of our infrastructure, such as public utilities and road, having reliable and stable access to the rest of the world is most critical to investors. Our information technology, I feel, is up to par with the rest of the world, and we must continue to enhance it to meet the technological advancement needed to stay in tuned with the world.

We must also focus on the most important component of a vibrant economy. That is, education. While climate, location and infrastructure are important elements of an investor’s ground rules, an educated society is also an essential requisite of potential investors. The economic stance of the CNMI depends on a strong educational foundation. To ensure an energetic economy, we must dedicate resources to education because an educated society is a predictor of good economic development.

The CNMI also need to explore other avenues to maximize receipt of federal grants. While doing so, we must ensure that all grants provided by the federal government are drawn down in a timely manner to avoid losing them. This seed money can be used to generate revenue for funding needed infrastructure, which will eventually have a ripple effect on our economy.

Q. What is your vision for the Commonwealth? And what are the steps that must be taken to achieve that vision?

I envision our children being educated and returning home to lead us into the future. The step needed to achieve this vision is very simple. We must be committed and determined to provide our children the resources they need for their education.

Q. What needs to be changed in people’s ways of thinking and doing things as a means to help you achieve your vision? How can that shift in thinking be achieved?

There is a pre-conceived notion in our community that our local residents are not motivated enough to gain and maintain employment. This is a fallacy. I believe that when given the opportunity to be employed and to compete on a truly leveled playing field, our local citizens can and will shine.

To encourage this, mechanisms need to be put in place to entice, train, retain and sustain a successful local lobar force. We can do this by starting and educational revolution in which every citizen is encouraged to participate in issues affecting them and our Commonwealth. We do this at the legislative level by creating and enforcing policies that protect education, economic development, health & wellness and environmental issues.

THOMAS “KIYU” PANGELINAN VILLAGOMEZ
Republican Party

Personal Background
Date of Birth: September 06, 1953
Spouse: Virginia Victoria Castro Villagomez
Children: Thomas Peter (Noah); Tasha Pei (Tamme); Manuel; Francisco; Luise Victoria
Father: Manuel Seman Villagomez (Kiyu)
Mother: Luise San Nicolas Pangelinan (Obo)
Father-in-law: Francisco Camacho Castro (Salamon)
Mother-in-Law: Julie Crisostimo Aldan

Educational Background
Mount Carmel School, Saipan
Marianas High School, Saipan
Suomi College, Hankock, Michigan
Armstrong Business College, Berkeley, California

Professional Background:
CNMI Senate (1994- Present)
CNMI House of Representative (1990-1994)
Microl Corporation, Saipan MP (1983-1990)
M.S. Villagomez Enterprises, Saipan, MP (1981-1983)
Albatross Trading Co., San Francisco, California (1976-1981)

Q. What would you consider the top three issues or concerns facing the CNMI that demand immediate action from our government leaders?

Over the last year, the rising costs of fuel and energy policy have proven to be one of the most contentious issues in the CNMI, with political differences in many areas. Rising energy costs and increasing gasoline price volatility have had significant effects on our economy and are a major concern to the CNMI’s businesses, consumers, and local government. I will promote a well-balanced energy policy that encourages clean, safe, reliable and affordable forms of energy, and to appropriately weigh environmental protection with our need for economic expansion. Incentives for conservation and efficiency are critical to meeting these needs.

Second is education. I am committed to ensuring that every child has access to quality education necessary for success in the future. I have been a strong advocate of the Commonwealth’s education system and the students and families that are served by them, and I will continue to be in the future. I support giving more spending autonomy directly to school administrators at the school level, where the actual needs are best understood and can be addressed.

For our residents who are pursuing higher education abroad and on-island, I am one of the strongest supporters and protectors of college scholarship money. As educated residents of the CNMI, the new college graduates are obligated to give back to the Commonwealth that has given so much to them. I believe every effort must be taken to place a high priority to hire our CNMI residents who have completed a higher education. The knowledge and experience they gained will benefit our Commonwealth tremendously. I firmly believe that we must continue to fight for a gradual increase in our minimum wage. Decent wages will both benefit our local workforce and help entice our sons and daughters with a higher education to pursue their profession here on our islands.

Last, but not least is our economy. We must take steps to strengthen the internal economic strategies and infrastructures of our islands so that we would be less susceptible to regional economic forces, which we have very little or no control over. This requires the collective effort between the Legislature, the Executive branch, and the business community. We all must work together to develop a workable plan that would enable us to diversify our economy, but also ensure that the types of industries we invite to our shores promote environmentally-friendly businesses, guarantee local employment with advancement opportunities, and will ensure that our land and natural resources are not permanently depleted.

Q. What ideas can you bring to the table to revive the CNMI economy?

(1) The CNMI establishing itself as a 21st century communications hub, which serves as a bridge between Asia and the Americas;

(2) Setting up the Commonwealth Health Center as a premiere pediatrics hospital serving the Pacific region;

(3) Establishing free-trade zones in the CNMI to entice different industries to set up their businesses on our islands;

(4) Enticing high-tech industries to set up businesses in the CNMI to teach our people advanced skills in higher trade and provide better-paying jobs;

(5) Other potential ideas which we can explore together.
As cliché as this may sound, I truly believe that if you build it, they will come.

Q. What is your vision for the Commonwealth? And what are the steps that must be taken to achieve that vision?

We each have our own vision for a better future of our Commonwealth and the well-being of our Chamorro and Carolinian people. Those visions vary as do our philosophies and the policies we would pursue to achieve those visions. But I cannot reiterate enough the necessity for unity between our elected leaders so that we can take political action to solve our islands’ significant problems. Many of the problems have worsened considerably despite the very best efforts of very well-intentioned politicians who have been elected to this government because of the lack of teamwork and communication between our elected officials. That is why I ask that all our elected leaders set their political differences aside and unite to work together for the betterment of the CNMI.

Q. What needs to be changed in people’s ways of thinking and doing things as a means to achieve your vision?

There is a deep-seated mistrust of politicians and a lack of understanding of politics. As government leaders, we need to rebuild the trust that was once instilled on our people. Those of us who have pursued the profession to govern share many common ideals and make significant sacrifices in the pursuit of those ideals. I believe we all have great ideas, but without cooperation our great ideas will go nowhere. If we are committed to making the CNMI a better place to live in, let us work together, so that the political process will win, and our goals can be accomplished and our visions or dreams can come true.