Flashback April 29, 1999-2003

[B]April 29, 1999

JAL upbeat on tourist arrivals[/B]

Japan Airlines has vowed to bring in more tourists to the Northern Marianas after the Commonwealth Ports Authority decided to provide incentives to various carriers to increase arrivals. The CPA board approved a 50 percent cut in departure and arrival fees effective Mary 1, 1999 through February 29, 2000 to airlines that can provide an additional 15 percent increase in the average number of passengers that they bring in to the CNMI.

[B]Why is Rep. Franks supporting Clinton’s tax agenda?[/B]

Rep. Bob Franks (R-NJ) has joined the leading Democrat Rep.John Dingell (D-MI) to co-sponsor President’s Clinton’s proposed $187 million per year tariff on textiles and apparel products shipped to the mainland U.S. from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), the Tribune has learned. Tariffs are taxes and they are bad enough in any form. They are paid by American consumers in higher prices. But the tariff Franks is supporting is particularly egregious because CNMI is part of the United States. It is an official territory of the U.S., like the western area of the U.S. was before it was divided into states.

[B]Teno backs plans to remove retirement benefits[/B]

Describing the existing retirement benefits as luxurious, Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday threw his full support to plans by the Legislature to cut some of the perks that will be extended to future government employees in order to bring down the government’s liability to the Retirement Fund. Key members of the Legislature are drafting a measure that will seek to eliminate retirement benefits, in swift reaction to help the financially-troubled administration reduce its growing unpaid contributions.

[B]April 29, 2002

BoS assures security of bank deposits[/B]

The $6.6 million fraud case allegedly perpetrated by white-collar professionals against the Bank of Saipan will not deter the local banking institution from carrying out its mission, the BoS management assured last week. This, as major shareholders also vouched for the security of the bank’s deposits.

[B]No report of quake-related damages[/B]

A 7.2-strong quake shook the Mariana Islands early Saturday morning, alarming Saipan residents—some of them jolted from sleep—in the second but strongest tremor felt so far in the CNMI this year. But unlike on Guam, where there were reports of injuries and damage to property, there was none so far reported in the CNMI, based on a report by the Emergency Management Office.

[B]Youth senators want betel nut spitting penalized[/B]

The 4th Youth Congress has passed a bill that would include betel nut spitting and tobacco spitting in the definition of littering, thus making it unlawful to spit betel nut and tobacco in public places. The bill, Youth Congress Bill 4-03, was passed during last week’s session. It now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. If the Legislature considers the bill worthy of passage, a counterpart bill will be passed to make it into a law.

[B]April 29, 2003

CRMO beefs up manpower[/B]

CRMO Administrator Joaquin D. Salas yesterday disclosed that he is tapping the services of a Washington-based executive to fill the position of deputy director, which has been vacant for more than four months. The CRMO is now processing the employment document of Steve Willey. Once completed, he will be the second highest official in the agency.

[B]Miss Teen buckles down to hard work[/B]

Miss Teen CNMI winners disclosed plans to work closely with the Marianas Visitors Authority in promoting the Northern Marianas as a safe destination for tourists. Barely a month after being crowned Miss Teen CNMI, 17-year-old Remylyn Julene Guerrero believes that her duties transcend the pomp and glamour of her title, saying that she’s prepared to do more than just parading with her crown and sash.

[B]Blue Ridge, 7th Fleet sailors help make Saipan beautiful[/B]

USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and 7th Fleet staff sailors, participating in the military exercise Tandem Thrust ’03, took part in a community service project to help make Saipan more attractive to visitors and residents. The sailors, along with members of the local community, helped plant trees and shrubbery along Saipan’s main road.