Local biz sector upbeat on Obama presidency

The local business community is hoping that the Barrack Obama presidency will usher in a new era in CNMI-U.S. relations that will eventually lead to the return of prosperity in the islands.

Saipan Chamber of Commerce president James T. Arenovski for one believes that the 44th U.S. President’s call for the enactment of a new round of stimulus package will be to the benefit of the Commonwealth.

“It is hard to tell how this administration will affect us. But it seems that in the short-term a stimulus package is on its way and this will certainly help. In the long-term, Obama has spoken about reforms in immigration and these are sure to directly affect us…on whether it be positive or negative we will have to wait,” he said.

Arenovski also added that the CNMI should be more proactive in communicating its needs to the new administration.

“We should be looking at making sure we do what is right for the future of the CNMI and, while doing that, we will find allies to champion our causes. With Greg Sablan in Washington, we now have a better chance at communicating that to those who can help our situation. Although we will not know soon how the Obama administration operates, it seems that he is concerned about a number of issues that directly affect us, plus the fact that he has some sensitivities to the territories.”

Former Chamber president and 2009 gubernatorial candidate Juan “Pan” T. Guerrero, meanwhile, said the jury is still out whether an Obama administration will be sympathetic to the plight of the CNMI.

“Only time will tell whether the Obama administration will look favorably on the desperate needs of our small island community and economy, which of course also requires a local willingness to work toward a better relationship with the federal government.”

Guerrero also hopes the CNMI can have a productive relationship with both mainland political parties.

“There is no good reason why we shouldn’t. I think that a lot of historical antagonism between the CNMI and Democrats in Washington had to do with unfortunate policy choices made locally about how we should interact with the federal government. Our local leaders and congressional delegate should be working together and with, not against, the federal government to achieve our goals.”

Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands chair Lynn Knight said she would like to see the CNMI benefit with the policies of the incoming administration, “but we don’t really know at this time. A lot will depend on the Cabinet secretary appointments and their policies, which will unfold over time.”

She also echoed Arenovski and Guerrero’s call for Commonwealth leaders to work with the Obama administration and make the CNMI’s voice be heard.

“The CNMI needs to have more—and frequent—communication with the U.S. government in order to create a better understanding of our unique economic circumstances and needs. We need to develop more relationships and fast. We have not been showing up on the ‘radar screen’ because of our small size and remote location, not to mention the fact that we haven’t had a delegate in U.S. Congress. Now that we have our own delegate, I have high hopes that we can weigh in more successfully on issues affecting the CNMI. Thus said, I also think the federalization issue requires more attention because it will have such a serious impact on our economy.”

Former Chamber president Anthony Pellegrino, on the other hand, said the Obama presidency is a “God-given gift to America and to the CNMI.”

“Whether his polices prove right or wrong will depend on how we work together. We must stop forming ourselves into groups seeking our own little worlds. We have to become united as the United States did centuries ago. In unity lies strength. But this does not mean diversity is wrong. But once a course of action is decided we must work together. President Obama is a scintillating breath of fresh air and a renewed examination of who we are and where we wish to go.”

As far as the Democrats having a traditional adversarial relationship with the CNMI, Pellegrino said that should be relegated to the bowels of history.

“Anyone who wants to continue that attitude should move to the farthest island away from the CNMI and contemplate his navel button alone. Obama’s rise to the presidency has renewed faith in the American people. God bless America,” he said.