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

PRECINCT 6 (ROTA) CANDIDATES

JUAN MANGLONA AYUYU
Republican Party

Educational Background
Elementary School-Rota
High School-George Washington High School, Guam
College/University-University of Guam, Guam
San Jose State Ext. Course, Saipan
Solano Community College, California
54 Credit Hours

Professional Background
Resident Director—Department of Public Works-2001-April 2005
Chief of Staff—Municipal Council-1998-2001
Administrative Officer—Municipal Council-1996-1997
Owner/Manager—Rota Service Station, dba Real Estate Broker, Construction Gasoline Service Station-1990-1994
Revenue—Customs Officer, Finance-1987-1989
South Pacific Island Airways-1985-1986
Naval Shipyard, Mare Island, California-1984

Community Involvements
Site Committee Chairman Far East Major Little League-(1999)
Overall Chairman-Bisita Lute (2002)
Overall Chairman-Asia Pacific Regional Tournament (2003)
Vice-President-Little League (2004)
Construction of Rota Little League Baseball Field
Construction of Sinapalo Softball Field

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

a.) Economy
b.) Education
c.) Fiscal control/government accountability

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

a.) To revive our economy, elected leaders must work together and determine each islands’ potential for any investment opportunity.

b.) Elected officials and affected agencies must review current tax systems and other investment incentives for potential Investors.

c.) Review anti-business law and constitutional restrictions for potential investors.

d.) support more funding for marketing and investment strategy for the entire Commonwealth.

e.) Explore other alternative Industries besides garment, hotels, restaurants, etc.

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

A. My vision for the Commonwealth and Rota is for our community to receive quality education, health care services, public safety and other vital services from other agencies as mandated by law. There must also be a balance between development and protecting the environment.
In order to achieve this vision, we must have cohesive leadership, commitment and dedication from all public employees to carry the goals and objectives to improve the quality of life that we all envision.

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CRISPIN M. OGO
Covenant Party

Personal Background
Spouse: Hera S. Ogo
Father: Misael Ogo, Former Congressman (deceased)
Children: None

Educational Background:
Elementary: Rota Elementary School
High School: Rota High School
College: San Jose City College-1.5 years

Professional Background:
1994-2001 Karidat Social Service-Victim Advocate
2001-2003 Rota Municipal Council-Researcher
2003-Present 14th CNMI Legislature-House of Representative

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

A. I consider the issues of high fuel prices, local unemployment and utility surcharge as the critical issues facing the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Island.

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

A. Develop a strong and vibrant private sector with abundant business opportunities and more high-paying jobs; establish sound financial management for our local government.

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

A. Let us begin from the South. Rota is the Indigenous Island (cultural center) of the Marianas, Tinian is the Gambling Center of the Marianas, Saipan is the Shopping Mecca of the Marianas and the Northern Islands are the Industrial Islands of the CNMI. Currently, we do not have the set plans to fulfill these ideals. The current leadership of the CNMI, with the exception of Tinian, remains mindful of personal achievement, rather than working together for our common good.

Q. What needs to be changed in people’s ways of thinking to achieve your vision?

A. I strongly believe that the people of the CNMI must believe in ethnic diversity. America is built through influences of ethnic diversity. Our citizens and nonresidents must envision growth through cooperation and hard work. We must not depend on our government as a means of financial gain, for it is from the diverse businesses that revenue is generated. Therefore, because of our current economic downturn, let us develop a mindset that the $3.05 hourly wage will do for now, until we begin to appreciate an economic upswing, before we revisit the coveted $5.75 hourly rate. People may be resourceful if their minds and hearts are prepared to face the challenges.

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PRECINCT 5 (TINIAN) CANDIDATES

Editor’s Note: There are two candidates vying for the Precinct 5 seat at the House of Representatives. Candidate Edwin Palacios Aldan of the Covenant Party wasn’t able to make it to yesterday’s deadline.

NORMAN S. PALACIOS
Incumbent
Republican Party

Educational Background:
Marianas High School-1980
NMC Undergraduate-1986
Law Enforcement Academy-1989
Primary Leadership Dev. Course
Various military trainings

Professional Background
Chairman, Ways & Means, 14th CNMI Legislature
Congressman-12th and 13th Legislature to present
Chairman, Federal & Foreign Relations
Councilman, 7th Tinian Municipal Council
U.S. Military-1982

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

There are three issues facing immediate action from our government leaders:

Economic: New methodology for an aggressive marketing in the Asian market to bring in new investors from which more revenues will be generated. Without new development, the economy will continue to go south. Progress means new money.

Airline and sea transportation: The CNMI leadership should sponsor a comprehensive working summit with airlines, travel agencies, and hotel operators to reach a win-win deal for everyone.

Sea and air ports should be actively operating in order for commerce to positively improve their activity. We must improve all CNMI ports infrastructures.

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

A. My vision for the future of the CNMI and Tinian is to transform the islands into a truly successful tourist paradise. The steps required include:

More controlled development on each of the three major islands: such as golf course in Tinian; condominiums for Japanese retirees in the CNMI; more casino/hotel complex on Tinian.

More direct air and sea transportation to all three major islands.

The CNMI should support Tinian’s venture regarding casino gaming and the other senatorial districts should refrain from establishing a similar venture.

Q. What needs to be changed in people’s ways of thinking to achieve your vision?

A. CNMI residents should respect each other by allowing equal distribution of wealth on all three major islands. We in the CNMI should understand that we need each other as a whole politically and economically. Each one of us must help develop an attitude of more productivity in government and less dependence on taxpayers’ money.

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PRECINCT 3 CANDIDATES

Editor’s Note: There are 14 candidates for Precinct 3 seats at the House of Representatives. Other candidates will be featured in the succeeding editions of this Campaign 2005 forum.

JESUS SABLAN BARCINAS
Democratic Party

Personal Background
Spouse: Yoneko Sakairi Barcinas
Children: Jesus Sakairi Barcinas Jr. and Jessica Yumiko Sakairi Barcinas

Educational Background
1956-1962-Chalan Kanoa Elementary School
1962-1968-Hopwood High School
(High School Diploma)

Professional Background
1993-Present-Owner, JB Professional Agency
1986-Present -Notary Public
Commonwealth Health Center, Personnel Specialist
United Group of Companies
Assistant/Personnel Manager
Kang’s Professional Agency, General Manager/Resident Agent
Northern Marianas College, Upward Bound Program (PPEC) Activities Coordinator
Hafa Adai Beach Hotel, Housekeeping Manager/Personnel Manager/Duty Manager
Royal Taga Hotel, Bellboy/Front Desk Clerk/Front Desk and U-Drive Supervisor/ Executive Housekeeper & Duty Manager/Front Desk & Duty Manager/Acting General Manager

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

A. How do we as a people survive in an environment in which prices are soaring all around us, yet the government services we receive remain poor and unable to accommodate our basic needs? The reason why I begin my answer with a question is because the three main issues or concerns the CNMI is currently facing is in this question. The question involves the CUC surcharge, the high fuel prices, poor maintenance in most tourist attractions, the ongoing power outages, poor sewage system, unfair practices of private health insurance agencies, a continuing failure of government leaders to provide the much needed budget for the CNMI Public School System, and a very limited distribution of 24-hour water services throughout the island, just to name a few. We have to begin answering this question and I sincerely feel that I and the Democratic Party have the answers.

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

A. Money staying in the CNMI helps the economy. In other words, the economy thrives on money. We need investors to truly have an interest in the CNMI. It seems as though the past few years have demonstrated how easy the CNMI can be used as a means and not necessarily to reach an end. We must keep our loyal investors and continue to build strong relationships with others who are loyal. We must also be loyal to our people. Investing in our future leaders is necessary for a successful CNMI. Though money is vital to our survival, we must remember to hold dear certain important principles such as respect, patience, fairness, honesty, and equality.

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

A. My vision for the Commonwealth includes a governor with a vision. A strong leader with a vision can and will change the CNMI’s current situation. “Vision for Action” is my political platform. This vision incorporates action such as working as a team, managing wisely, making decisions in the pure interest of the people and its welfare, listening with intent and sharing with interest, delivering with promise and security, and serving as a role model to the people of the CNMI, its future leaders, and the rest of the world. The steps that must be taken to achieve this vision begins with electing a leader who has a plan that is workable, achievable, realistic, and deliverable. Without such a person, we will continue to make the same mistakes.

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

I trust in the people of the CNMI. Though we are a tiny population (compared to the rest of the world), we are loyal and committed, and passionate. The past few years have allowed voters to take a second look at our leaders and vehemently question its decisions and practices. The voters are smarter, more informed, interested, and will make THE decision come election time for a greater CNMI. I think the changes in people’s way of thinking are happening right now and can only continue to evolve as we get closer to election day. The shift in thinking is also happening as every reader reads this newspaper. Voters, the future of the CNMI is truly in your hands—at your fingertips.

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ESTANISLAO ‘STANLEY’ TUDELA MCGINNIS TORRES
Independent

Personal Background
Spouse: Arlene Blas Cabrera Torres
Children: Stanley Jr., Regina, Charles, Kenneth, Anthony and Jeric

Educational Background:
Elementary: Saipan Elementary School, 1947 to 1955
High School: Mount Carmel High School, 1956 to 1960 Graduate

Professional Background:
Pan American Airways, Sales & Marketing, 17 years
HITA Travel, Owner & Operator, 13 years
Legislature (Representative), 12 years (1992-2004)

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

The economy is the most important issue facing the CNMI. Our economic strength is vital in all phases of our Commonwealth lives. Granted, we have encountered adverse global situations, like the 9-11 attacks and the ongoing “war on terror,” but we can’t keep making excuses for the terrible mismanagement of CNMI taxpayers’ money and federal assistance. Every week we read story after story of government mismanagement, greed, and corruptive practices, which have adversely affected the individual lives of our local residents and visitors. The leaders of the CNMI must realize that all individual and business revenue sources of our CNMI income are getting fed up with the squandering of funds on excessive travel and projects that only benefit a few leaders, over the welfare of the many CNMI residents.

Following the importance of a strong economy, our quality of life is another very important issue facing our Commonwealth. Without the necessary funding to provide essential services, our people continue to suffer from lack of clean government water, overflowing sewers, power outages and an abused environment. Not only do our local residents suffer, but our major sources of revenue from tourists and investors also suffer. Tourists are getting tired of dirty, red-flagged beaches, tourist sites being targets for robbers and lack of maintenance, and the feeling that the CNMI is spoiled and doesn’t even care to keep our islands safe and clean. The defaced and urine-smelling Japanese shrine near the new tourist mall in Garapan is a prime example of government neglect and laziness.

Another issue is the CNMI’s global reputation, which is becoming one of unfriendly business atmosphere and a place of broken dreams. We cannot afford to continually frustrate potential investors with empty promises and keep thinking investors and tourists are dying to come here to paradise, when our island paradise is losing its reputation as a friendly and efficient island for great tourism and investment. The current administration can spin the news all it wants and keep asking President Bush to pose for photo opportunities to print in our local newspapers, but why would Japan Airlines abruptly pull out of the CNMI and decide to fly to the Marshall Islands?! Why is Continental stopping various flights to Saipan? And why is poor Harry Blalock so overloaded with bad news about our current administration that he must be exhausted with all these CNMI problems?

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

A. My main focus will be to instill a sense of economic integrity into our government system, hoping this economic integrity will spill over to the executive branch of government. We need to streamline our government agencies, to stop the vast complaints of too many fees and regulations that kill the business spirit. I would like to introduce legislation to streamline all government agencies, and to also curtail all unnecessary travel and wasteful projects until the government pays all its bills, submits timely retirement payments, and appoints qualified individuals who will carefully watch over our various agencies. I will always keep an open office to listen to anyone’s suggestions or complaints, not like the current administration that leaves people sitting for hours waiting for the governor who sometimes never shows up. I also promise simple and effective legislation to encourage business and tourism to our islands. How can some of our current leaders excuse themselves from the terrible mess we are in? Our leaders have been continually exposed to global education and travel—some of them have very excessive travel to their credit—and how can they say that certain global problems are the cause of all our problems and that they didn’t know these problems would adversely affect our islands. Where is the truth in proper planning and anticipation of these problems? We can’t keep asking Uncle Sam to bail us out. Uncle Sam is having major problems of his own, e.g., Katrina, Rita, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc., so how can we depend on the continual assistance from the federal government? We need to garner the strength of our ancestors, who survived in these islands using their bare hands and common sense. The integrity of our ancestors should be a guiding light for our current leaders, and we should stop copying the “suit and tie” bureaucrats in Washington, D.C.

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

My vision into the future is one filled with the happy faces of our island residents, feeling secure, raising healthy families, living in harmony with our international visitors and residents, and prospering in their daily lives while still enjoying our traditional way of life. This will take the inspired leadership of our elected officials, and I, for one, look forward to helping lead our Commonwealth in this direction. The steps I will take are stated above in questions number 2 and 3.

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?

To paraphrase a great leader and gentleman to the world, I ask my fellow citizens and residents of the CNMI to “ask not what our Commonwealth can always do for you, but what you can do for our Commonwealth.” The island tradition of helping your neighbor and our government, no matter what political party, needs to be the thinking of our people. There will always be differences in people, but we all need to work together for the sake of our small island communities. Of course, the best way to have people support you and trust in your leadership is to work hard and represent them in the best way that you can.

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RAY ANTHONY NARAJA YUMUL
Independent

Editor’s Note: Rep. Ray Yumul is currently deployed in Iraq. He was not able to respond to the questions provided by the Saipan Tribune but his wife provided the paper his background.

Personal Background
Date of Birth: August 18, 1972
Spouse: Maria Theresa “Marites” Acosta-Yumul
Child: Dominic Jude “DJAY”
Parents: Jesse B. Yumul and Frances Camacho Naraja

Professional Background
Current Job: Congressman, Precinct 3, 14th Legislature
Sergeant, U.S Army Reservist

Previous Jobs:
YCO Corporation, dba True Value Hardware Stores, Liberty Dept. Store, Jollibee, Servistar, Do It Best Hardware, Motorsports, Naked Fish Bar & Grill

Vice President and General Manager,
Deutsch Industrial Products Division (California)
Employee Services Representative (HR)
Sam’s Club – A Wal Mart Company (California)
Marketing / Membership Sales and Customer Service
The Inland Empire Tourism Council (California)
Intern
Mediage Corporation (California)
Computer Sales Associate

Educational Background:
National University, San Diego, California
Received a degree of Bachelors in Business Administration
Completed 1 semester of graduate school, Human Resource Management.
University of California at Riverside – Extension
Completed 12 units of undergraduate work of which 8 units were marketing classes.
Riverside Community College
Completed 50 units of undergraduate work
Received an outstanding achievement award for Distinguished Service in 1991.
Marianas High School, Saipan
Received a high school diploma in 1990
Taken basic electronics through vocational education

Military Background
100TH Battalion, 442nd Infantry Division – Det. Saipan US Army Reservist.
Fort Benning School, Infantry
Blue Force Tracker, Digital Master Trainer Course
Awards:
Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Army Service Ribbon

Community Involvement
American Red Cross (1997-2003)
Club 200 Fundraising contributor
Workforce Investment Agency (formerly JTPA) (1997-2003)
Summer Youth Employment Training Program employer
Northern Marianas Islands Crime Stoppers, Saipan (2003)
2003 Crime Stoppers Month contributor.
Saipan Agricultural Fair Association (2002-2003)
Annual Saipan Agricultural Fair Contributor
Member:
Saipan Chamber of Commerce Since 1997
Marianas Visitors Authority Since 1999
Northern Marianas Beauty Pageant Association (1997-1998)
Organizer:
Saipan Autofest Car Show (2000-2002)