Flashback March 28, 2000-2002

[B]March 28, 2000

‘Investigate AGO’[/B]

The Attorney General’s Office came under fire anew yesterday for its recent actions on cases that have demonstrated alleged “selective prosecution” and “retaliation” against local residents who legally challenge its authority. Rep. Stanley T. Torres hurled the charges in a privilege speech during yesterday’s session of the House of Representatives as he called for oversight hearing on the AGO.

[B]Taxi drivers feeling pinch of high fuel costs[/B]

While the adverse physical impacts of sky-rocketing prices of oil products remain within the boundaries of airline tickets and gas service stations, the people who get their living from the road have started feeling the painful pinch of high oil costs. The series of oil price adjustments since last year forced taxi operators in the Northern Marianas to allocate additional money to fill their tanks up from their meager income which average $30 per day.

[B]CPA implements new airport fees[/B]

The Commonwealth Ports Authority is expecting to generate between $1.3 and $1.9 million from the increase in landing and passenger fees which the agency implemented beginning March 1, 2000. CPA suspended the implementation of the new schedule of airport charges for more than eight months following pressures from the 11th CNMI Legislature which pledged government subsidy to the agency.

[B]March 28, 2001

Business leaders irked over delay on repeal of stay limit[/B]

What a difference a week makes. Business leaders yesterday aired their frustration and irritation over the Senate’s continued inaction on the repeal of the three-year limit law six days after proclaiming their optimism on the law’s repeal. Saipan Chamber of Commerce President Anthony Pellegrino and Vice President Richard Pierce went to the Legislature yesterday morning expecting a Senate vote on one of the three bills pending before the chamber, all addressing the three-year limit law. None came.

[B]Senate eyes amendment to telecom law[/B]

Not even a month and a half since it was signed into law, the Telecommunications Act which will create a utility regulatory body is heading for yet another amendment. But Senate President Paul A. Manglona was quick to point out that the Legislature is merely looking at minor changes to the month-old law, which was basically passed to clear the road for a CNMI Telecommunications Commission.

[B]DPS saves 7 stranded on reef[/B]

A group of passengers aboard a sea vessel found themselves stranded outside the reef west of Saipan Grand Hotel Saturday. Seven individuals led by Henry Huet left the Sugar Dock that morning of March 24 to go on a snorkeling adventure when a strong wave struck their boat.

[B]March 28, 2002

TF formed to curb juvenile crimes[/B]

An inter-agency task force on juvenile crimes enforcement has been formed to take a second and deeper look at the Commonwealth’s juvenile justice system, amid the alarming increase of criminal activity committed by youths. Police Sgt. James C. Deleon Guerrero, supervisor and officer-in-charge of the police department’s Juvenile Crimes and Delinquency Investigations section, revealed that juveniles are involved in 4 out of 5 burglaries committed in the CNMI.

[B]Peace country’s chances thin out
[/B] Gov. Juan N. Babauta remains noncommittal over the administration’s official position toward the Global Country of Peace organization, besides merely saying he will come out with an official position on the matter once Rota Mayor Benjamin T. Manglona deigns to present these people to him. “The administration has no official position until the Mayor of Rota himself comes to us and present to us these people,” Babauta said yesterday.