Flashback May 08, 2000-2002

Lawyers begin probe of PCB[/B]

Texas-based lawyers began their investigation in Tanapag over the weekend in connection with the planned lawsuit against federal officials who may be held responsible for the polychlorinated biphenyl contamination in the northern coastal village in Saipan. With the absence of scientific study to prove the effect of PCB on humans, the lawyers face an uphill battle to prove that negligence of federal authorities have caused damage to public health.

It was a flight most people thought would never come in at least a couple of months after it canceled what could have been its maiden air transport service to Saipan Monday last week. This is the reason why Commonwealth officials found themselves crumbling to prepare for the arrival of Mandarin Airlines executives Friday night when they received a faxed message from the Taiwan-based carrier that its aircraft will be landing on the Saipan International Airport a few hours later.

Responding to accusations leveled by former Gov. Froilan C. Tenorio, the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation yesterday turned the table against its chief critic as it blamed him for the failure by the government to pay its utility bills. It also warned that his suggestion to disconnect power service to public offices would paralyze much of the CNMI as government operations are vital to social and business activities on the islands.

Schools asked to teach Nippongo[/B]

English is fine but in order to attract more tourists from its main market of Japan, local schools should include more Niponggo classes in its curriculum. Marianas Visitors Authority Chair Dave M. Sablan lamented the fact that only a handful of local residents have the ability to speak the Japanese language.

When this man says no to sex, he means no. And he stands by his decision even if it meant attacking her girl. So when the girlfriend insisted she is not taking no for an answer, he turned violent. All she wanted was a “sweet” afternoon with him. She ended up calling the police and he was arrested for assault and battery.

In what appears to be a desperate move to refill strained government coffers, the CNMI government yesterday paved the road for delinquent tax payers to file their returns without penalties. Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio signed House Bill 12-345 into Public Law 12-51 which gives remiss taxpayers amnesty from penalties if they file their returns during a 90-day period.

Kennedy consults NMI on new takeover bill[/B]

Far from being convinced to hold off actions on any takeover bills for the CNMI, U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy is actually about to introduce anew his Fair Minimum Wage Act bill but, this time around, he has expressed willingness to allow the Commonwealth to have an input into the measure. Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio disclosed this in a letter to House Speaker Heinz S. Hofschneider dated May 1, where he said he had just received word from Kennedy’s office about the planned reintroduction of the Fair Minimum Wage Act.

Bank deposits dropped 1.65 percent by end-March 2002 to $589.9 million from the previous quarter’s $599.8 million, according to a government document that compiles reports submitted by banking institutions in the Commonwealth. This, as loans increased by 3.27 percent reaching $285 million during the January-March 2002 period compared with $276 million in the October-December 2001 period, which indicated modest recovery in overall revenue-generating activities of CNMI banks.