Nielsen to start using DVRs in ratings

I wanted to wish ALL our new elected and the re-elected representatives to government WELL. I also want to thank “the powers that be” for making the inauguration take place on Commonwealth Day like it should have been all along. I didn’t know who actually made the decision for when the inauguration would take place so I wrote a letter to Gov.- elect Benigno R. Fitial asking him to try and make sure we recognize Commonwealth Day for what it really is—the Inauguration Day of our first elected leaders. We teach our students this fact about Commonwealth Day but its hard to teach children to follow this tradition when the leaders aren’t doing it themselves—well they got it right this time.

I have written about this before and I’m so glad to see the governor- and lieutenant governor-elect have more concern for the people of the CNMI attending the inauguration than their personal off-island friends. I’m sure many people in the CNMI don’t know this but previously, we (the people) have been the second consideration given for inauguration day, which is why it was not being done on Commonwealth Day. There may have been some inaugurations during the ‘80s on Commonwealth Day but the failure to use this day for inaugurations goes back for many inaugurations, not just the last inauguration.

Having the inauguration on Commonwealth Day follows the tradition of what that day should entail and it is cost affective because when the inauguration is not on Commonwealth Day most if not all of the government is “off with pay” for two days instead of one. We will save one day’s pay for all government employees by simply following the tradition established by the CNMI founders. I’m sure the founders must be tickled pink to see that we finally got it right because it will be 28 years since the first inauguration took on Jan. 9, 2006.

Thank you governor- and lieutenant governor-elect and who ever you had to convince to reestablish the tradition of having the inauguration on Commonwealth Day so the people can attend. I just hope it will remain a “tradition” because it was meant to be a tradition that respects the attendance of the people of the CNMI over everyone else. One people, one direction on Inauguration Day and don’t be late, the food line will be extra long this time.

Ambrose Bennett
Kagman