Flashback July 24, 2000-2002

[B]July 24, 2000

Tinian to host another casino[/B]

A Japanese company is all set to establish a casino hotel on the island-municipality of Tinian after it paid the $350,000 application and investigation fee to the Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission a week ago. Tokyo-based Kirino Consultants Inc. is also planning to set up a domestic and international airline firm to be based on Tinian to specifically service the firm’s casino customers as well as the local market.

[B]CPA opens dialog with Legislature, airlines[/B]

The Commonwealth Ports Authority has opened communication lines with the CNMI Legislature and airline companies servicing the Northern Marianas in fresh efforts to reduce existing rates at the Saipan International Airport, according to Executive Director Carlos H. Salas. Mr. Salas said CPA has the capability to reduce Saipan airport fees but only if the CNMI Legislature would earmark funds to finance and subsidize the operation of both West Tinian and Rota International Airports.

[B]Ban reentry of deportees[/B]

In an effort to compel overstaying aliens in the CNMI to choose to voluntarily leave the islands, the Senate has passed legislation seeking to bar reentry for those deported by the Department of Labor and Immigration. SB 12-2 will amend existing deportation laws to punish aliens who, despite their expired entry permits or improper documents, opt to stay in the Commonwealth.

[B]July 24, 2001

‘Saipan Sucks’ author known[/B]

The Internet smear campaign that maligned Saipan has left its residents and web surfers puzzled on who could the author be. As this developed, government authorities are now probing the identity of the culprit, responsible for the smear campaign entitled “Saipan Sucks: The Truth About Saipan” which appears on the Internet.

[B]Tinian Shipping now charging $15 for one-way ferry service[/B]

The Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino needs to raise an estimated annual revenue of $6 million to continue the operation of ferry services between Saipan and Tinian. For the last two years, the 330-seat Tinian Express incurred more than $6 million in total losses, Tinian Dynasty Hotel Operations Manager Tom Liu said.

[B]Land crabs don’t pose health risks[/B]

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has determined that the level of PCB detected on Tanapag land crabs is too low to cause health problems. Although the elevated levels of PCB do not appear to be a health hazard, the agency underscored that people can be exposed to small amounts of the toxic substance from eating land crabs.

[B]July 24, 2002

Heinz vows to resign if…[/B]

As promised, House Speaker Heinz S. Hofschneider introduced during yesterday’s session a bill that seeks to increase the user’s fee to 5 percent, with the promise to resign from his post if he goes down in defeat on the proposal. At a motion from House Floor Leader Jesus T. Attao that was seconded by other lawmakers, the measure was immediately referred to the House Ways and Means Committee, with Hofschneider instructing committee chairman, Rep. Stanley S. Torres, to conduct a public hearing and then come out with recommendations by Friday next week.

[B]New gear boosts local firefighting[/B]

The Department of Public Safety-Fire Division’s share in a $90-million federal grant approved by President Bush last year has allowed the local agency to acquire 87 sets of new turn-out gear to better protect its firefighters. The competitive grant offered under the Federal Emergency Management Agency permitted the CNMI to purchase some $145,000-worth of firefighting equipment made from the latest material, which local firefighters have described as “more comfortable.”