Flashback August 25, 1999-2002

[B]August 25, 1999

Young’s aide satisfied with reforms – Teno[/B]

A key aide to U.S. House Resources Committee Chairman Don Young (R-Alaska) has expressed his satisfaction to local leaders over recent labor and immigration reforms they have put in place in efforts to quell federal takeover proposal in the Congress. Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio disclosed yesterday that his meeting with Manase Mansur, adviser on insular and international affairs for the House panel who is visiting the island, has led to understanding the present conditions of the Northern Marianas.

[B]Sept. 22 is deadline for filing of candidacy[/B]

The Board of Elections yesterday urged all political parties to submit their nominating petitions for candidates on or before Sept. 22, the deadline for filing of candidacy. BOE Executive Director Greg Sablan said the board is scheduled to meet on Sept. 29 and 30 to review and certify the nominating petitions.

[B]OSHA seeks partnership with SGMA[/B]

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is looking at forging “cooperative partnership” with the Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association in efforts to ensure compliance with local and federal laws as well as to improve working conditions on the island. Jim Wulff, safety and health manager for OSHA Region 9 which covers the CNMI, said there is a marked improvement in the conditions at several factories, but added others may need to step up their in-house safety and health programs.

[B]August 25, 2000

Bad records derail OPA audit of NMC[/B]

The Office of the Public Auditor is increasing efforts that would pave the way for the completion of its long-standing audit of the Northern Marianas College, which has been ongoing for more than two years now. Public Auditor Leo LaMotte said the CNMI’s lone higher learning institution’s previous records were badly kept, hampering OPA’s efforts to complete its audit-investigation promptly. “NMC records were bad. Some of the documents that are vital to our audit are hard to find. You can’t finish an audit-investigation promptly if you are dealing with bad records,” said Mr. LaMotte.

[B]Initiative clears house[/B]

The proposed legislative initiative mandating a minimum 25 percent share of the budget for public education hurdled its first step yesterday after the House of Representative approved the proposal with major changes. Education officials, however, lost their battle to keep surplus budget left in a fiscal year into the next as one amendment requires that the excess money be returned to the general fund for re-appropriation by the Legislature.

[B]Plan to amend gun control law worries Senate[/B]

Following concerns on the safety of the community, the Senate is expected to scrutinize legislation that will amend the Weapons Control Act to encourage development of resorts offering shooting practices and target ranges. While supportive of the efforts to bring in new investments into the CNMI, Senate President Paul A. Manglona said he needs to consider safety concerns when the measure is deliberated in the upper house.

[B]August 25, 2002

Governor beefs up Rota’s emergency fund[/B]

A measure that seeks to beef up emergency fund for use in the rehabilitation of Rota from last month’s onslaught of Typhoon Chata’an earned Gov. Juan N. Babauta’s signature, giving local leaders the authority in disbursing the money for the island’s swift recovery. The Governor signed House Bill 13-167, which reprograms funds from several statutes to the Typhoon Chata’an Emergency Fund, into Public Law 13-167 Wednesday.

[B]Single and Driven Profiles of inspiring, young men and woman Part II[/B]

On Tinian–the enchanting island five miles south of Saipan–a breed of single, young and motivated individuals abound. This batch of talented, Tinian-born residents have clear-cut visions of what they want out of life and are ready to take on the challenges involved to achieve their dreams and aspirations. Hang out with some of the islands’ most admired young men and women in Saipan Tribune’s second batch of the CNMI’s Young and Empowered.