Flashback July 11, 2000-2002

[B]July 11, 2000

Clinton’s economic plan for NMI: No major promises[/B]

President Clinton’s policy-making group for the CNMI has recommended several immediate measures to help the islands ensure economic growth, but these fall short of definite commitment from Washington. The so-called Interagency Group on Insular Areas (IGIA) has released its report compiled following discussions between senior White House officials and governors of the CNMI, Guam, American Samoa and the Virgin Islands.

[B]OPA faults CDA’s building renovation[/B]

The Office of the Public Auditor has reproached the Commonwealth Development Authority for its failure to observe prudence as called for by the CNMI government-wide cost-cutting program when it decided to renovate its building in Gualo Rai. Renovation of the structure along Middle Road will eventually increase CDA’s monthly rental of the property from $8,000 to $13,489, or a difference of over $5,000, according to the final OPA report released yesterday.

[B]HANMI bans outside food to hotel banquets[/B]

The Hotel Association of Northern Mariana Islands yesterday banned guests from bringing food prepared outside hotel properties into banquet functions to prevent possible food poisoning incident. At the same time, the 19-member hotel association will no longer allow food to be brought out of banquet functions as “leftovers”. However, the ban will not cover functions catered outside by hotels at a customers’ venue.

[B]July 11, 2001

Govt irons out deal with NMIRF[/B]

Officials of the Commonwealth government and the Northern Mariana Islands Retirement Fund have finally come to an agreement on a regular payment schedule that is being touted as a step toward resolving the government’s $60 million arrears at the Fund. Kathleen Troy-Rucker, the Fund’s general counsel, said that they have already talked with finance and treasury officials and will sit down with them again sometime this week to hammer out the details of a memorandum of agreement where the government will promise to pay the Fund $500,000 every two weeks.

[B]CPA stops oil leak cleanup[/B]

The Commonwealth Ports Authority has stopped oil leak cleanup operations at the Saipan International Airport, due to Mobil Oil Marianas’ persistent refusal to pay half of the expenses. CPA Board Chair Roman S. Palacios yesterday disclosed that Allied Pacific Environmental Consulting, the firm contracted to do the cleanup, has been ordered to temporarily abandon the project.

[B]Continuous improvement earns HKMA Award for THC Garment[/B]

The Hong Kong Management Association has awarded Tan Holdings Corporation’s three factories on Saipan, along with the company’s worldwide garment affiliates with the “Certificate of Excellence for the year 2001 Quality Award.” The Saipan-based factories include TransAsia Garment Forte Corporation, Concorde Garment Manufacturing Corporation, and Global Manufacturing, Inc. Each of the factories are ISO 9002 certified and carry the prestigious SA 8000 Certificate of Social Compliance for international standards of social accountability and best business practices.

[B]July 11, 2002

Random drug testing for students backed[/B]

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold random drug testing of public school students who participate in extracurricular activities has spurred talks among local education officials of implementing a similar regulation within the Public School System. Board of Education Chair Herman T. Guerrero and Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos expressed support for the ruling, noting that it has made PSS rethink its existing policies on student discipline.

[B]OIA’s Cohen visits the NMI[/B]

The Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Office of Insular Affairs, David Cohen, arrived last night from Guam for a one-day visit, as he familiarizes himself with the insular areas and the different issues facing them. Cohen will meet with Gov. Juan N. Babauta this morning at the Office of the Governor, where it is expected that he will follow up on the topics he earlier discussed with the Governor in Washington D.C.