FLASHBACK

MAY 18, 2005

Power plant runs out of fuel-again

Lights went out again in various Saipan villages after the Puerto Rico power plant ran out of fuel for the second time in less than two weeks. Pamela Mathis, the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s special adviser for corporate communications, said the fuel ran out due to the failure of Mobil Oil Marianas, to deliver oil that the utility firm paid for on Monday. The power outage hit Middle Road areas at 9:40am. About two hours later, CUC had to turn the Garapan area offline, as increased power demand put additional pressure on the Lower Base power plant.

Mainland investors look for local partners

A company that taps water from humidity to solve the CNMI’s water needs, the world-renowned Hilton International, a California firm that seeks to establish a nursing school on Saipan-these form part of the group of investors that are currently on-island and are assessing local business prospects. Some 15 investors representing companies engaged in diverse industries assembled yesterday at the Hyatt Regency Saipan for the 2005 Business Opportunities Mission sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Interior. The mission ends today.

MAY 18, 2004

LibDay festivities relocate to Fishing Base

The 2004 Liberation Day festival will not be held at the American Memorial Park this year, as it has for the past 10. Instead, it has been moved to the Fishing Base across from Kristo Rai church. According to Vic Cepeda of the Saipan Mayor’s Office, the decision to move the festival was made by Mayor Juan B. Tudela during a conference not too long ago. Cepeda said the mayor’s decision was prompted after being informed that several vendors had complained about the restrictions placed on them by the U.S. Park Service.

MAY 18, 2003

A step ahead for NMI militia

Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio on Friday announced that Hawaii Senator Daniel Akaka has informed him that provisions for a National Guard for the CNMI have been included in the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2004, or Senate Bill 1050. Section 925 of S. 1050 reads that: “Establishment of the National Guard of the Northern Mariana Islands of the bill amends Section 101 of Title 32 of the U.S. Code by adding the Northern Marianas or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to all pertinent sections of existing law.”

Group intensifies anti-crime stance

The CNMI Crime Stoppers is forging partnerships with public offices and private organizations to intensify its campaign against the rising number of criminal activities in the Northern Marianas. CNMI Crime Stoppers president Jim Arevnoski said the distribution of thousands of bumper stickers, which contain the anti-crime group’s tips line and other information, is just the beginning of what has been touted as a stronger commitment by the community to the fight against criminal activities.

MAY 18, 2001

Takeover plans collapse

The Commonwealth government will map out mechanisms to ensure that no other federal takeover threats would be made in the future after the US Congress refused to act on a federalization proposal yesterday. This as Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio planned to collaboratively work with US legislators. He said the CNMI will continuously seek the assistance of the US Congress to thwart future attempts to federalize local immigration and labor systems. He stressed that the administration will not let down its guards and defenses as continuous monitoring of activities in the United States will be carried out.

Planned coup uncovered

Speculations are rife that some members of the House of Representatives are cooking up strategies to unseat Speaker Benigno R. Fitial, in what appears to be the first election-related manipulation by a particular group in the Legislature. But Fitial said the House remains apolitical despite differences and party affiliation. He said members remain focused at crafting and passing measures aimed at reviving the Commonwealth economy. The unconfirmed reports of a coup in the House of Representatives reached Fitial’s office several days ago but the speaker said it bothers him the least, stressing that his focus remains his legislative duties.