Flashback November 24, 1999-2002

[B]November 24, 1999[/B] [B]Heinz is new House speaker[/B]

After waiting in the wings for the past two years, Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider finally won support of the Republicans to become the Speaker of the House of Representatives when the 12th Legislature convenes in January.

In a caucus attended yesterday by 10 GOP members of the lower house and other party leaders, Hofschneider won unopposed after his closest rival to the post, former House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial, did not attend the two-hour meeting.

Current Speaker Diego T. Benavente, who stepped down after six years, was voted as vice speaker, replacing Rep. Jesus T. Attao who will become the majority floor leader. Both lawmakers were unopposed.

[B]33 residents infected with HIV[/B]

The Northern Marianas will join with the rest of the nation and other countries around the world in marking December 1 as World AIDS Day in hopes to raise awareness among the peoples and combat spread of the dreaded disease.

In a proclamation signed by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday, the CNMI made a commitment to involve island residents in activities designed to increase awareness and understanding of HIV/AIDS as a global challenge as well as to encourage participation in worldwide efforts to stem alarming increase in the number of people infected by the virus.

[B]November 24, 2000[/B] [B]Quarry operators owe DPL $4.7-M[/B]

The CNMI government could have been about $5 million richer had the Division of Public Lands made good in its collection of rentals and land leases from quarry operators from 1990 to 1995, the Office of the Public Auditor said.

According to a report released by OPA Wednesday, overall outstanding receivable from quarry operators during the six lease years under review, including rentals and interests, amounted to $4.69 million.

A public audit revealed five quarry operators incurred back rentals amounting to $2.89 million; four quarry operators underpaid lease rentals by $261,311 due to misrepresentation of lease agreement provisions and incorrect rental computations.

[B]Investors seek tax breaks from gov’t[/B]

Two new hotels, a peanut butter factory and a hi-tech software manufacturing firm may open shops in the CNMI once the government implements a proposal granting tax breaks to new investments as well as existing businesses.

HB 12-199, now known as the “Investment Incentive Act,” cleared the Senate on Wednesday, drawing closer to the efforts to boost the islands’ flagging economy.

[B]November 24, 2002[/B] [B]Dog owners asked: Leash ’em[/B]

Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela appealed to all dog owners on the island to leash their dogs, in an effort to make the community a safer and better place for the animals and the residents alike.

Tudela issued the statement in reaction to a recent incident at the Kagman II area, where a 16-year-old girl was allegedly beaten up by a much older man after she accidentally hit the suspect’s unleashed dog.

“The recent incident stemming from unleashed dog problem on Saipan has shocked me and I am now appealing to all dog owners to leash their dogs to avoid more unfortunate incidents,” the mayor said.

[B]TV captures real NMI-life dram[/B]a

The CNMI community will get to know its first set of TV actors come Thursday with the premiere of a locally produced television drama called “Journeys.”

Co-written by Galvin Guerrero, director Sean Maycock, and three more individuals, “Journeys” shows stories of people’s real journeys in life-as a teenager, a housewife, a husband, a grandparent, a politician, and a houseworker-in a setting that’s close to the hearts of the islanders.