Flashback July 09, 1999-2002

[B]July 09, 1999

Businessmen seek delay of takeover oversight hearing[/B]

In a move to save its limited resources, the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, the Hotel Association of Northern Mariana Islands and the Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association have sought a postponement on the scheduled July 27 oversight hearing by the U.S. Senate Energy and Resources Committee. Chamber President Kerry M. Deets said the delegates from the business sector are concerned over the expenses they would incur in joining the trip since they would have to go back to Washington for another hearing on Sept. 16, 1999 called by the House Resources Committee headed by Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska).

[B]PSS: No teacher shortage this time[/B]

There will be enough teachers in public schools when classes open this August, a Public School System official said yesterday. “We have fulfilled our recruitment needs by 80 to 85 percent. The remaining 15 to 20 percent vacancies will be filled before schools open,” said Charlie Kenty, head of the PSS Human Resource Office.

[B]Price ceiling for betel nuts proposed[/B]

Saying they have become luxury to most consumers, Rep. Timmo Olopai wants to put in place a price control on betel nuts sold in stores and impose tax on its importation. The legislator blamed foreign businessmen for jacking up the retail price of the betel nuts over the past five years by importing these products and selling them at exorbitant prices.

[B]July 09, 2001

Census 2000: NMI home to 70,000 people[/B]

Not even a 60 percent increase in population count helped elevate the Commonwealth’s classification from a rural to an urban area, as results of the Census 2000 disclosed the CNMI being home to only 69,221 people. According to the Census 2000 report released by the US Department of Commerce, Saipan is home to 62,392 people while Rota and Tinian have a population of 3,283 and 3,540 respectively.

[B]$2M sought for nursing program[/B]

The Department of Public Health is seeking $2 million in additional funds to support its nursing program. The amount requested is apart from existing funds that the agency has reserved for the future hiring of off-island nurses. After recently recovering from a crisis in nurse shortage, Public Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez said DPH continues to survey its financial resources in the area of hiring nurses directly, instead of channeling it through manpower agencies.

[B]Ban on election day campaign approved[/B]

The House of Representatives has passed legislation barring election candidates from campaigning and displaying materials within 500 feet of any polling precinct on November 4. House Bill 12-398, which seeks to amend 1 CMC Section 6423 and 6705 (a) (b)(c), was approved by the lower house Thursday, in time for the November general elections.

[B]July 09, 2002

Typhoon after typhoon for NMI [/B]

Days after typhoon Chata’an devastated Rota and caused destruction in other parts of the Northern Marianas, another weather disturbance-tropical storm Halong-continues to gain strength and speed as it approaches the region and is expected to hit the islands tomorrow, based on a weather forecast released by the Emergency Management Office. EMO Director Rudolfo Pua said emergency response teams are bracing again for the possible battering of the islands, even if rehabilitation efforts-especially in Rota-have not been implemented in full scale.

[B]CPA prepares for approaching storm[/B]

The Commonwealth Ports Authority yesterday ordered the strict implementation of typhoon measures, as it prepares for another weather disturbance reportedly approaching the Northern Marianas and expected to hit Saipan on Wednesday. CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas said all tenants at the Commonwealths airports and harbors have been advised of the approaching typhoon-international name Halong-that currently raps Pohnpei.

[B]NMI mulls aid for Chuuk[/B]

The CNMI government is seriously considering sending some form of assistance to areas in the Federated States of Micronesia that were devastated by the recent visit of Typhoon Chata’an. Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente said that, although there has been no decision yet on what form of assistance the government may send to Chuuk, the administration is now looking at several options. “We are meeting and discussing now on how we could help Chuuk and other areas in the FSM that were hit hard by the typhoon,” said Benavente.