COMMUNITY BRIEFS

EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE EXTENDED

Due to the high number of individuals applying for assistance, Emergency Food Assistance Centers on Saipan have extended operations through Monday, Sept. 27.

Residents who suffered losses as a result of Supertyphoon Chaba may apply for emergency food assistance at the centers, located at the former Courthouse in Susupe and the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library. Hours of operation will be from 8am to 8pm, Sept. 27.

Residents may qualify if their home or belongings were damaged or destroyed and they have substantial disaster-related expenses and or if they have lost income, resources, or their food supply as a result of Chaba.

NAP recipients in August 2004 may also apply for replacement benefits if their coupons were destroyed due to the typhoon.

For more information, call the Nutrition Assistance Program at 235-9889/90/92.

NON-PROFIT GROUPS CAN AVAIL OF FEMA AID

Private non profit organizations that sustained damage during Supertyphoon Chaba may be eligible for FEMA public assistance. Interested organizations should have available a copy of their articles of incorporation and may call 664-2371 or 323-0613. Deadline for applications to be received is the close of businesses, Monday, Sept. 27, 2004.

ADDITIONAL EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE CENTER OPENS

In response to the high number of residents seeking assistance, the DCCA Nutrition Assistance Program opened an additional Emergency Food Assistance Center last Friday, Sept. 24, at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library on Saipan. Residents who suffered losses as a result of Supertyphoon Chaba may apply for emergency food assistance at this location or at center located at the former Courthouse in Susupe. Hours of operation will be from 8am to 8pm.

For more information about applying for emergency food assistance, call the Nutrition Assistance Program at 235-9889/90/02.

MENTAL ILLNESS WORKSHOPS SET

The Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy Systems Inc., in collaboration with the Community Guidance Center, will be conducting workshops surrounding mental illness on Tinian, Saipan, and Rota. Limited seating is available and all interested individuals are encouraged to attend.

Call NMPASI at 235-7273, 532-7270 (Rota), 433-7273 (Tinian) or 235-7278 (TTY), or call the CGC at 323-6560 for more information and/or special accommodations. All workshops are from 9am to 4pm.

Tinian: Sept. 28, 2004 at Tinian Dynasty

Saipan: Sept. 29, 2004 at Aqua Resort Club

Rota: Sept. 30, 2004 at Sunset Villa Hotel

ADA TRAININGS POSTPONED

The scheduled Americans with Disabilities Act trainings for Sept. 27 and 29 at the World Resort Hotel has been postponed to Nov. 2 and 3. Organizers of the trainings, called “Symposium: Independence Day for People with Disabilities,” apologized for the short notice and thanked everyone for their patience.

REV & TAX REMINDS OF THE NEW AMNESTY PROGRAM

The Division of Revenue and Taxation is informing taxpayers that Public Law 14-28 became effective on Sept. 22, 2004, providing an amnesty period for delinquent taxpayers.

Special return forms will be available beginning Oct. 05, 2004. Delinquent taxpayers are encouraged to file a special return as soon as possible once the forms are available.

Taxpayers who need assistance on delinquent tax payments should contact Lis A. Aldan, collection and remittance branch manger, at 664-1065/664-1067. Taxpayers who need assistance to file a special tax return should contact Piding B. Camacho, compliance branch manager, at 664-1043/664-1040.

The Division of Revenue and Taxation is located at Joeten Dandan Commercial Center, 1st floor. If you have any question(s), call 664-1000.

CHUUKESE ELECTIONS IN OCTOBER

This is to inform all Chuukese who are eligible voters in the CNMI that there will be a special election on Oct. 14, 2004 from 7am to 7pm, at the Garapan Central Park (Round House).

Please contact your regional leaders for more information.