Community Briefs

OPA WORKSHOP RESET

The Office of the Public Auditor would like to announce that the Government Accounting Training Workshop scheduled for Sept. 29 through Oct. 1, 2004, has been postponed.

The new schedule for the workshop will be Oct. 18 through 20, 2004. OPA will contact all participants and provide notice of venue.

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 collection and remittance branch manger Lisa A. Aldan at 664-1065/664-1067. Taxpayers who need assistance to file a special tax return should contact compliance branch manager Piding B. Camacho 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.

PALAUAN VOTERS IN NMI URGED TO CAST VOTES

All Palauans who are registered voters in the Republic of Palau and are currently residing in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are being encouraged to participate in their country’s presidential election.

In a statement from the Palau Consulate, it said the primary election for the presidency will be held today, Sept. 28, 2004. Voters who have received their absentee ballots may visit the consulate and cast their absentee ballots.

The general election will be held on Nov. 2, 2004 and any voters who requested absentee ballots for the primary will automatically receive ballots for the general election.

For those who did not request the primary election’s absentee ballots may request their absentee ballots for the general election at the consulate. However, if the polling boxes going abroad is granted, then the general election for Saipan will be held on Oct. 30, 2004 and the venue will be announced later on before the general election.

For those needing more information or clarification about the primary and general elections, contact the consulate at 235-6804.

LOCAL ARTISTS SOUGHT FOR CNMI DIRECTORY

The Department of Community and Cultural Affairs-Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture will be creating a publication of CNMI visual and performing (folks and contemporary) artists.

The publication will provide one page per artist for a photo of the artist(s), and up to two photos of artwork or performance. Additionally, each page will include a short biography of the artist(s) and their work and contact information.

“If you would like to be included in this publication, you will need to submit a clear photo of yourself or your group, two photos of your artwork or performance, short biography and contact information to Sinforosa Pinaula at the Arts Council Office no later than Oct. 8, 2004,” DCCA said in a statement.

One copy of the publication will be provided to every artist included in the publication. The publication will be disseminated to the public and private sectors, and will be made available to individuals and entities seeking artwork or arts services.

For more information, contact Pinaula at the Arts Council at 322-9982/3.

SNISWCD MEETING IN OCTOBER

The Saipan & Northern Islands Soil and Water Conservation District would like to inform the public of their monthly meeting on Oct. 6, 2004 at 1:30pm at the Natural Resources Conservation Service Office. For more information, contact 234-6170.