Neighborhood Team to share findings soon

The Neighborhood Enhancement and Revitalization Team will meet with villagers next month to discuss and share with residents its findings and areas of priority for mitigation, revitalization and enhancement in the villages of Chalan Kanoa and the ocean side district.

Through this public forum, residents will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the team’s findings and plan of action. They will also be given the opportunity to air out concerns and share their ideas on how and what to prioritize in improving the quality of life in the inner villages.

According to Saipan Municipal Council chair Antonia M. Tudela, the village initiative calls for building and sustaining local capacity in every village. “Residents are expected to be a part of the improvement in their districts as stakeholders and shareowners of the village community.”

“Much attention and resources have been dedicated to our hotels, beaches, scenic vistas, ports of entry, tourist sites and related areas where tourists occasion,” Tudela said. “There is a need to apply the same amount of energy and enthusiasm in dedicating ourselves to improving the quality of life for the people” in the inner villages.

According to Tudela, the purpose of the village initiative is to empower local residents to take matters into their own hands in building a safe, clean, and healthy community.

It is hoped that this process will result in a healthy, safe and thriving community of villages, enclaves and hamlets throughout local communities on Saipan.

She added that the process is also intended

Included as project activities are pothole repair, junk vehicle and scrap metal removal, debris removal, street sweeping graffiti abatement, vacant lot clean-ups, animal control management, storm water management, land use violations, Saipan zoning violations, inner villages, enclaves and hamlets beautification, immunizations (where needed), fire safety inspections, village LOGO entry / exit signage with mini floral landscape, village beautification (planting of flowers, trees, shrubs), taking stock and cleaning of historic sites & buildings and other assets, inventory of trade and commerce activities, taking inventory of public service facilities, and the possibility of having a village directory at major landmark locations such as the Chalan Kanoa Diocese, U.S. Post Office, or Saipan Municipal Council.

The Neighborhood Enhancement and Revitalization team is scheduled to meet this morning to make final presentation plans at the village forums next month.

The Neighborhood Watch Task Force is also scheduled to meet this morning shortly thereafter.