FLASHBACK November 15, 1999-2002

BOE certifies poll results[/B]

The final tally of votes from the Nov. 6 elections, including the more than 200 absentee ballots tabulated Friday, did not change the preliminary poll results except for the Board of Education race in Rota. BOE Chairman Miguel M. Sablan certified the final results Friday. Of the 424 absentee ballots received by the Board of Elections, only 236 were counted as “good ballots,” while 188, or 44 percent of the total number, were rejected as “bad ballots.”
[B] 44 % of ballots wasted[/B]

At least 44 percent of the total number of absentee ballots received by the Board of Elections were wasted because of the voters’ failure to follow instructions, BOE Executive Director Gregorio Sablan said Friday. Of the 424 absentee ballots, only 236 were validated and counted, while 188 were thrown away as “bad ballots.”

Outer Cove lease faces termination[/B]

The House transportation committee will propose termination of the current lease on the controversial Outer Cove Marina in a move intended to bail out Marine Revitalization Corp. from its present financial woes. Committee chair Rep. Rosiky F. Camacho said a bill is set to be filed within the next few days mapping out the plan following review of pending legislation.

Teno OKs amendments to domestic violence law

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio approved changes to the recently-signed law against spousal abuse and family violence, clarifying questionable provisions raised earlier by Superior Court Presiding Judge Edward Manibusan. Key amendments he favored as provided under Public Law 12-30, which he signed yesterday, included elimination of clerical assistance by the court in filing motions like restraining order as well as reinstatement of court fees in seeking such judicial relief.

Investment inquiries flood CDA[/B]

Despite grim economic projections, a group of off-island businessmen expressed interest in investing on the islands, according to Commonwealth Development Authority Board Chair John S. Tenorio. Tenorio said that, last week, a 15-man team of US-based investors visited the CNMI to hold an ocular inspection and check necessary infrastructure on Saipan and Tinian.
[B] NMI delegates in NY for bioterrorism conference[/B]

Ten CNMI delegates to this week’s bioterrorism conference in New York were among the victims of an anthrax scare before their boarded plane took off from Honolulu to the US mainland. But Health Secretary Joseph Kevin P. Villagomez immediately said that none of the delegates were infected with anthrax since the suspicious substance on the plane turned out to be just a spice used in Indian delicacies.
[B] NOVEMBER 15, 2002

Stink turns off tourists[/B]

Marine sports companies complained yesterday that foul smell coming from drying seaweeds and the ongoing drainage cleanup operations at the Saipan lagoon behind the hotel area is a major turn-off to tourists frequenting the place for water sports. One of the several water sport companies situated behind Dai-Ichi Hotel Saipan Beach and the Hyatt Regency Hotel-Saipan was forced to close operations for a day due to the slow turnout of tourists in the area.

Gov. Juan N. Babauta questioned the legitimacy of the lawsuit filed against him and the CNMI government by the Civil Service Commission, saying it needs to be determined whether a two-thirds majority of commissioners voted to have the lawsuit filed. At the same time, he said it should be looked into whether commission chair Vicente M. Sablan is the legitimate chairman of the civil service panel, considering that there are questions as to whether there was, in fact, a quorum when he was elected to chair the commission.