FLASHBACK January 15, 1999-2002

Managaha bidder seeks to halt new rebidding[/B]

The Marianas Marine Management, Inc., a locally-owned corporation seeking to operate Managaha Island, has prodded the Division of Procurement and Supply to force the Board of Public Lands to decide on the next concessionaire of the popular tourist destination based on proposals previously submitted to BPL. In a protest lodged January 12, MMM, through its legal counsel Jesus C. Borja, asked the procurement and supply division to stop BPL from its plan to seek fresh proposals to develop Managaha, a tiny island west of Saipan. MMM said the next operator of Managaha should be selected based on the RFP issued in August, prior to the enactment of a controversial law giving preference to corporations and individuals of NMI descent to develop the island for commercial purposes.

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday said the CNMI 902 team is all set to resume negotiations under the Section 702 of the Covenant with White House officials despite irreconcilable positions of the two governments on how talks should proceed. The governor told an interview the seven-man panel, led by Lt. Gov. Jesus R. Sablan, are prepared to meet with Washington negotiators beginning Tuesday for a four-day bilateral talks aimed at resolving differences in implementing local immigration and minimum wage laws. Amid Tenorio’s optimism, the two sides are still at loggerheads over the parameters of discussions that is threatening to put talks on a shaky start after two cancellations last year.

Sweeney: Continue lobby efforts in DC[/B]

Saying the Clinton administration has been unfair in providing members of the U.S. Congress the real situation in the CNMI, Rep. John E. Sweeney (R-NY) emphasized Saturday the need to continue lobbying efforts in Washington so as to thwart attempts of a federal takeover. “I think they (Clinton administration) have turned a blind eye. I suspect that they have done it with other motivations in mind,” he said. Sweeney told business leaders during the installation of the new officers of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce that they have an important role to play in informing the people in Washington about CNMI’s efforts to become self-sustaining and carry out changes to make life better for the people.

The number of seats at the House of Representatives should be pruned to 15 or even 12 in order to save taxpayers millions of dollars in government expenditures that can be used to fund other critical programs on the islands. This was the suggestion of Senate Vice President Thomas P. Villagomez who broached the idea in light of the forthcoming conference in Dallas, Texas that will tackle re-districting of legislative representation across the country. He said the result of the recent census should encourage CNMI officials to look into the composition of the lower house, particularly on Saipan, to shift the number of representatives. At present, the House has 18 seats.

Hard work begins for new administration[/B]

Gov. Juan N. Babauta and Lt. Gov. Diego Benavente will buckle down to work and start addressing social and economic problems facing the Northern Marianas, as they were officially inducted to office yesterday morning. “Yes, we’re ready to work,” Babauta told hundreds of guests who attended his administration’s inauguration at the American Memorial Park Amphitheater. Babauta said his administration will tap available local and federal resources, as well as explore other funding sources, to spur economic activities in the Northern Marianas.

Sporadic rain showers greeted the joint inauguration rites of the Commonwealth’s three highest-ranking public officials at the American Memorial Park yesterday. But rain or shine, the crowd of zealous attendees were not dissuaded from staying until the end of the installation ceremony. Others viewed the infrequent downpour as a blessing—a premonition of good fortune for the Northern Marianas in the hands of the new administration. “The audience didn’t mind being soaked from the rain. They were just glad to be there,” said Gordon Marciano, one of the hundreds of attendees.