Flashback September 08, 2000-2003

[B]September 08, 2000

Evacuees climb to 204
[/B] Tropical storm Saomai continued to pound Saipan yesterday forcing more residents to flee their homes for safer grounds due to strong winds and heavy rains. The number of evacuees occupying six of the eight designated emergency shelters climbed to 204 individuals, including children, according to the Emergency Management Office.

[B]3 contracts arising from Outer Cove lease questioned[/B]

The Senate Committee on Resources, Economic Development and Programs aimed its sight yesterday into the Outer Cove Marina lease following findings of several other contracts that have sprung outside the main agreement. During the resumption of the oversight hearing, committee members raised concern such contracts may have violated the terms of the lease agreement that was approved by the 9th Legislature. The deal gave a 15-year lease to Marine Revitalization Corp. to build and operate the marina and was forged with the Department of Lands and Natural Resources and the U.S. National Parks Service during the previous administration.

[B]Bank assets soar 6% in 2nd quarter[/B]

A clear indication of the Commonwealth’s resilient financial infrastructure, banks assets soared six percent to $632 million in the second quarter of the year from the first three month’s $596 million, a report obtained from the commerce department revealed. The significant growth of overall bank assets was spurred primarily by the increase in the volume of deposits mainly from private sector clients, despite slowdown in lending activities during the same period.

[B]September 08, 2002

House mulls CHC privatization
[/B] The Department of Public Health-as well as the Commonwealth Health Center-is facing privatization plans from local lawmakers. This, after contributing the biggest slice to the Babauta Administration’s projected $18 million budget deficit this financial year. Privatization of the local hospital and the department that runs it would lessen the fiscal burden now carried by the CNMI government, said Rep. Benjamin Seman.

[B]In fashion, does name matter?[/B]

While strolling the aisles of a department store recently, a really cool shirt caught my eye. I had to try it on; it fits like a glove: It was ridiculously cheap, and surprisingly enough, it was made by an unknown brand. The next day, when I first wore my new shirt, several friends asked me where I had purchased it and for how much. All this to say that no-name clothing can also look great and will only cost you a fraction of the price. The key is finding those pieces that look good.

[B]Parenting workshops draw huge crowd[/B]

Becoming a parent doesn’t start and end with bringing a child to life. Parenting is all about guiding children to ways that will help them grow as better persons. This prompted the holding of parenting workshops at different function rooms of the Diamond Hotel Saturday. “We believe that all parents love their kids. They want to give all to them,” said Reina C. Camacho, parenting program coordinator at the Northern Marianas College.

[B]September 08, 2003

Rota special poll to coincide with Nov. 1 midterm election[/B]

The special election for Rota to find the replacement for former senator Ricardo S. Atalig will take place on November 1, coinciding with the midterm election. This was confirmed Friday by Gov. Juan N. Babauta, who said this move will save the government additional expenditures that would have been spent if the special poll is done on another date.

[B]Firm checks govt standing on $40M bond[/B]

A Honolulu-based bonding company has expressed concern over the CNMI government’s financial capability in connection with its $40 million land compensation bond application. In a recent letter to the Commonwealth Development Authority, the bond rating company inquired whether the government can still commit to the bond considering its huge liability with the NMI Retirement Fund.