What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

“I’m thankful that I have one hell of a great family who supports me in everything I do. I’m thankful that I am in the position to represent the Commonwealth. Being in this position allows me to make a difference in people’s lives.”
[B]—Acting Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez
Office of the Governor[/B]

“As for me, I’m thankful for all of you. Without you, Beautify CNMI would never have made it out of the starting gates. Look at what we’ve accomplished in six short months: We planted over 1,700 trees; we recycled over 260,000 lbs of recylable material; we’ve had almost weekly cleanups of beaches and roads, our biggest cleanup on 10/20 attracted over 3,380 volunteers; we’ve signed an MOA with Balli Steel to remove junk cars and goods at no cost to the government; we’ve cleaned up and restored tourist areas, both historical and natural; on top of that, we’ve done this by including segments of our community that don’t always get to “hang out” together. I’m hopeful that we can continue to draw in more partners and as Cinta says, ‘continue to infect people with the Beauty Virus.’ Happy Thanksgiving, everybody! I am thankful that I was able to come back to Saipan and make a difference in a few people’s lives.”
[B]—Angelo O’Connor Villagomez
Beautify CNMI[/B]

“I am personally thankful for my health, and for the love and indulgence of my friends and family. For the CNMI, I am thankful for the tremendous support of the community on the issue of domestic violence. I’ve never lived in a place where there was so much sustained interest in learning about DV and trying to eliminate it. Some of the people who have devoted their time to the issue are Lauri Ogumoro and the other wonderful people at the Guma Esperensa; Officer Andrea Ozawa and Commissioner Rebecca Warfield at DPS, and Chief Prosecutor Jeff Warfield.”
[B]—Jim Benedetto
Office of the Labor Ombudsman[/B]

“This year, I am extra thankful for the health and well-being of my family. I pray that we continue to enjoy this and wish it true for everyone in the CNMI.”
[B]—Joseph Kevin Villagomez
Department of Public Health[/B]

“I’m thankful that I’m still here and not sick, that my family are healthy. Im very, very thankful for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new veterans cemetery. It’s been long waited for.”
[B]—Ruth Coleman
Military Veterans Affairs Office[/B]

“I am thankful to the Lord for giving more understanding to people in the CNMI of what’s happening to us.”
[B]—Howard Macaranas
Office on Aging[/B]

“There are so many things to be thankful for. Personally, for the blessings to me and my family. I’m very thankful for the support of my staff, for doing things that are expected to serve the community better. I am thankful for the successes that the community has reached. In spite of the challenges, there’s still the spirit of unity. I’m still very optimistic.”
[B]—Mike Sablan
Office of the Public Auditor[/B]

“I am thankful this year for my mom living on Saipan with me now, and for my brother and his wife for visiting me from Michigan.”
[B]—Kathryn Barry, PTI[/B]

“There are a lot things to be thankful for. I’m thankful to be alive, to remain hopeful for Saipan.”
[B]—Novelyn Tenorio
Chinatown[/B]

“I am thankful that we are about to end the year and nothing really has happened that is too drastic on the island, and that we are surviving the economic changes.”
[B]—Judge Juan T. Lizama,
Superior Court[/B]

“Very simple: [I am thankful for] my God, my family and my country, in that order.”

“For friends and family. For such wonderful peers in the Rotary Club. They’re very supportive people.”
[B]—Deanna Kelly-Tessen, Microl[/B]

“I am thankful for all the opportunities and for giving me the job I like.”
[B]—Elly Stoilova, PIC[/B]

“I’m thankful for my family and my newly-born baby daughter.”
[B]—Joseph Santos
DPH[/B]

“I’m thankful for our good health and for my family.”
[B]—Martha Mendiola, DPH[/B]

“Same as always, my health and my family, my kids. I am looking forward to the holiday.”
[B]—Jeff Boyer,
Shell Marianas[/B]

“I’m thankful for everything, for our lives and food on the table.”
[B]—Vicky Concepcion,
First Hawaiian Bank[/B]

“I am thankful for all the blessings that God has given me and my family. I am thankful for a wonderful wife soon to be giving life to our baby daughter.”
—Ed Guinto, HJHS

“I’m thankful for being alive and to have a job. Thankful for my family. I’m most thankful for this year that I can speak a little Tagalog so I can listen and speak to Filipinos here.”
[B]—John Jenkins, SAES[/B]

“I am thankful for the good job and the very sunny place I live. I’m very thankful for the good people living on the island.”
[B]—Glenn Smith, GTC[/B]

“I’m thankful for the life and being able to survive harsh times.”
[B]—Arlene
Cholymae, OES[/B]

“Thankful for my family and my friends.”
[B]—Anna Cabael, OES[/B]

“I am thankful this year that we have good health and that we still have a job.”
[B]—Danny Domingo,
PSS Central Office[/B]

“I’m thankful that I have a job now, that I am part of the Public School System.”
[B]—Rommel Mostales, San Antonio[/B]

“Thankful for all the blessings that came our way.”
[B]—Jane Limes, WSR[/B]

“I am very thankful for my family and the good people I live with. For my family and our health.”
[B]—Tyce and Angie Mister, MHS[/B]

“For my wonderful family. Happy to be alive.”
[B]—Arthur Sandheim, WSR[/B]

“For life and health. Last year, we [Vice Speaker and I] almost lost a son. We are thankful for the gift of life.”
[B]—Jackie Quitugua
PSS Central Office[/B]

“I thank the Lord for our safety from the tsunami recently. We are very thankful for our days in our lives.”
[B]—Jesus Elameto,
PSS Central Office[/B]

“I’m just thankful for all the hardworking people at PSS, for their wonderful job and I’m happy and proud of them.”
[B]—Tim Thornburgh
\PSS Central Office[/B]

“We are thankful for the PSS employees, despite the economic climate. We are thankful that we still get funds from the government for our teachers and for the children, our future leaders.”
[B]—Roman C. Benavente
Board of Education[/B]

“That we are still alive, that we still continue what we are supposed to do for our children’s education both at PSS and private schools.”
[B]—Dino Jones, BOE[/B]