Apatang remembers Tonie at his 2nd inauguration

Re-elected Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang takes his oath of office administered by Supreme Court Associate Justice John Manglona during his inauguration ceremony yesterday at the Kanoa Resort, Saipan. (Kimberly A. Bautista)

Re-elected Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang paid tribute to his late wife, Tonie, during his second inauguration ceremony yesterday at the Kanoa Resort Saipan

Apatang attributed much of his success in his first term as mayor to Tonie.

“My late wife…left me halfway through my first term and she helped me a lot in the beginning before she got sick and she passed away from cancer on Dec. 12, 2017,” he said. “That’s why it is very emotional for me. It’s still fresh in my mind and in my heart.”

Apatang said he regrets that Tonie was not there to witness his second inauguration but he wants to thank her for all she did for him up until her passing.

“It’s a very sad thing for me because we always hope that our partners will be around for achievements like this. It’s very hard work and you need the support of your partner…so I just want to say ‘thank you’ for everything she did for me,” he said.

Apatang also thanked those who continue to support him and gave him another chance to serve the Commonwealth.

“I am very grateful to our people, the supporters who really believed in me to continue to serve them for the next four years. I am not getting any younger but I can still do the job, my mind is still fresh and I’m ready to serve them. My office is always open for anybody, regardless of who comes in and needs assistance. I’m there for them,” he said.

Apatang said he is also excited for the things he has planned for the Commonwealth in the next four years, saying there are still a lot of things “that I want to accomplish.”

That includes the home numbering system.

“I’ve been pushing for it since my last term. I think we will go ahead with that. We have funding already and the contract has been routed…I am waiting for the [Federal Emergency Management Agency] to do the environmental assessment. Once that’s complete, we will go full force and I look forward to working with our governor, the Legislature, and the local delegation,” he said.

Apatang said his office continues to be busy with clearing post-typhoon debris.

“We’re still working with our FEMA partners. …We’re continuing our recovery. As a matter of fact, tomorrow is the deadline for debris removal for FEMA. …We will try to finish all that we need to do to get our recovery back on track,” he said.

The 15th Saipan and Northern Island’s Municipal Council members also took their oath of office during Apatang’s inauguration ceremony.

The 15th Saipan and Northern Island’s Municipal Council consists of three newly sworn members. The council members are Debra Lynn Tenorio Camacho, Antonia Manibusan Tudela, and Ana Demapan Castro.

The 15th Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council takes the oath of office administered by Supreme Court Associate Justice John Manglona during their inauguration ceremony yesterday at the Kanoa Resort, Saipan. (Kimberly A. Bautista)