Flashback November 06, 2000-2004

[B][U]November 06, 2000[/U][/B] [B]It’s a landslide for BB tandem[/B]

Resident Representative to the United States Juan N. Babauta and running-mate Rep. Diego T. Benavente won by a landslide in the open primary conducted last Saturday by the Republican Party. Lt. Gov. Jesus R. Sablan and running-mate Senate Vice President Thomas P. Villagomez immediately conceded defeat after their opponents slowly edged out and eventually led with a margin of 1,199 votes.

[B]Pepero-Kiyu: We will respect the people’s decision[/B]

Lt. Gov. Jesus R. Sablan and Senate Vice President Thomas P. Villagomez graciously accepted their defeat in the Republican primary Saturday saying they will honor the people’s decision. “I’m going to keep my word. I’ve told the people that I’m going to support the party and that means I’m not going to run,” Mr. Sablan said, as he wished rivals CNMI Resident Representative to Washington Juan N. Babauta and Rep. Diego T. Benavente the best of luck.

[B][U]November 06, 2001[/U][/B] [B]BB administration braces for worst[/B]

The incoming Republican administration will have their work cut out for them, as they face plunging revenues, accumulating deficit, and a crippled private sector that has yet to recover from the one-two punch of the Asian crisis and the September 11 attacks. Foremost among the priorities that the Babauta team will have to address is turning around the revenue trend, which has disturbingly been going down a slippery slope since 1997, when revenues were at their highest at $248.4 million.

[B]Hundreds of votes fail to make it to the tally sheet[/B]

All votes could have made it to the tally sheet had Northern Marianas voters been thoroughly educated on the proper way of filling out ballots in the November 3 elections. Numerous ballots were spitted out by the newly-acquired tabulation machine due to over-voting, blank spaces and incorrect markings.

[B][U]November 06, 2002[/U][/B] [B]Shipping delays take toll on businesses[/B]

Gov. Juan N. Babauta is keeping a tight watch on the developments concerning labor discussions in the West Coast ports, in efforts to derail possible adverse impacts another lockout would have on the supply of foods and other necessities in the Northern Marianas. This, as some restaurants and hotels on Saipan have reportedly suspended some promotional projects due to delayed arrival of their orders from the mainland United States.

[B]GHLI privatization talks kick off[/B]

The Babauta administration formally floated the rough draft of legislation that proposes to privatize government health insurance, in a meeting with Health, Legislature and Retirement Fund officials at the Governor’s Office yesterday. The meeting officially started discussions on the possibility of letting the private sector take over a public health insurance program besieged with funding woes.

[B][U]November 06, 2003[/U][/B] [B]Melon flies invade NMI[/B]

Melon flies. Millions of Melon flies have invaded the islands. The situation has adversely affected agricultural production, doubling up the impact of the noxious ivy gourd that has spread to significant proportion. “Farmers are really affected,” said Isidoro T. Cabrera, agricultural consultant for the Northern Marianas College’s Cooperative Research, Extension and Education Service. Currently, there are at least 135 active farmers on Saipan, Tinian and Rota, he said.

[B]Saipan-Manila flights extended until April[/B]

Citing strong consumer demand, Continental Micronesia yesterday disclosed that it would extend its direct service between Saipan and Manila, Philippines, which was scheduled to begin on Dec. 9, 2003, up to April 2004. Originally, Continental planned to offer the Saipan-Manila-Saipan nonstop flights until Jan. 16, 2004.

[B][U]November 06, 2004[/U][/B] [B]CUC water lab re-certified[/B]

The Division of Environmental Quality has reinstated the certification of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. water laboratory, allowing the utility firm to again analyze the quality of drinking water samples. DEQ director John I. Castro announced yesterday that the re-certification was issued last Thursday, over a year since CUC’s water laboratory permit was revoked amid various violations.

[B]House: No new action vs Palacios[/B]

The House of Representatives has no plan to impose any new disciplinary action against Tinian congressman Norman S. Palacios as he had already been suspended for a month in 2002.