Flashback May 13, 1999-2003

[B]May 13, 1999

Gov’t may scrap some scholarship programs[/B]

With revenue collections continue to drop, the government is considering the elimination of several scholarship programs and instead put in place a financial aid scheme for CNMI students seeking college education. Such plan, which will form part of a package of proposals the administration plans to submit to the Legislature for consideration in order to address funding problem in the scholarship programs while ensuring that students have access to financial assistance to pursue higher education.

[B]Kindergarten program back on track[/B]

After careful consideration of its current teaching personnel and budgetary requirements, the Public School System is set to open the kindergarten registration the soonest possible time. Board member Frances Diaz, who heads the Fiscal and Budget committee, said payroll requirements for kindergarten teachers are already part of the Fiscal Year 2000 proposed spending package, thus eliminating the problem on where to source personnel costs.

[B]Pawnbrokers Act could draw legal problems[/B]

Pawnbrokers have sought amendment to a recently-signed law regulating the pawnshop business on the island, including lowering the $500 license fee and clarifying vague provisions that could lead to potential legal dispute. In a letter to members of the Legislature, the CNMI Pawnbrokers Association considered the new fee imposed under Public Law 11-65 as “extremely high” in light of the intent by the government to police the industry.

[B]May 13, 2002

Bank of Saipan reopening planned[/B]

Court-appointed Bank of Saipan Receiver Randall T. Fennell unveiled plans to reopen the crisis-torn banking corporation on a limited basis, amid investigation findings that although the bank is “illiquid,” it is still solvent-or able to pay debts. In a May 8, 2002 First Receiver’s Report submitted to the Superior Court, Fennell disclosed a move to implement the “Bank of Saipan Resurrection Operation Plan,” which he described as a “stopgap action to allow bank customers limited access to their funds while preventing a bank run.”

[B]Manibusan expands receiver’s powers
[/B] Superior Court Presiding Judge Edward Manibusan agreed Friday to modify court-appointed Bank of Saipan Receiver Randall Fennell’s duties and authority as temporary manager of the embattled banking institution. But the court will continue the BoS receivership hearing on May 29, amid strong opposition from the BoS regarding Fennell’s appointment as receiver.

[B]Public help sought in fight against crime[/B]

With 28 unsolved cases of murder in the Commonwealth that date back to as far as 1977, the Department of Public Safety’s Criminal Investigation Bureau is ratcheting up its campaign to solicit information from the public in the hope of finally solving these unresolved crimes. Tapping the assistance of the Office of the Governor and the Attorney General’s Office, the CIB on Friday launched its Crime Stoppers program, which seeks to publicize unsolved murder and homicide cases in an effort to ferret out leads and information from the public.

[B]May 13, 2003

DPS touts proper seatbelt use[/B]

The Department of Public Safety’s Traffic Division is hoping to reduce the number of road accident fatalities by 90 percent in 2005 through strict implementation of proper seatbelt and child restraint usage. Traffic officials, however, said that this is attainable only with the cooperation of Northern Marianas motorists.

[B]Labor, immigration now fully separate[/B]

Beginning Saturday, the Immigration Division is now separate from the Department of Labor and is under the Attorney General’s Office. Attorney General Ramona V. Manglona said Executive Order 3-1 is fully in effect, separating the Department of Labor, which remains headed by Secretary Jack Tenorio, and the Division of Immigration, which is now under acting director Tony Sablan.