Flashback February 14, 2000-2002

Land issues seal disapproval of free trade zones[/B]

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has tossed back to the Legislature a legislation seeking to establish free trade zones in the Northern Marianas due to the administration-sponsored bill’s failure to address issues surrounding the use of public lands. “Issues regarding public lands have recently been identified and must be addressed in order to ensure the integrity of Commonwealth free trade zones once established,” Mr. Tenorio told legislators in a Feb. 10, 2000 letter. He also noted changes made by the 11th Legislature to the original draft, including a provision which places control of large tracts of land under the control of Tinian and Rota mayors.

The Department of Finance on Friday reported that the CNMI government managed to reduce by close to 16 percent its office rental expenses in Fiscal 1999 from the 1997 level. In 1997, government leases of private sector office space totaled $2.3 million which was down by $400,000, or 15.5 percent, to $1.9 million last year, a DOF report showed. Only the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs reported an increase but officials attribute this to the need for “safe houses” for battered and abused individuals and related family issue programs. Finance officials ascribe the reduction to the relocation of more government offices to the Capitol Hill housing area. At least 30 government agencies now occupy 30 of the 105 housing units in Capitol Hill.

CUC officials in hot water[/B]

The Commonwealth Utilities Corporation is facing a possible investigation by the Office of the Public Auditor following allegations of breach of fiduciary duties of its officials, ranging from excessive off-island trips to uncalled-for hiring of new personnel. Some members of the Legislature yesterday bared concrete plans to ask OPA to extensively investigate and evaluate the financial status of the government-owned utility corporation This, following reports of excessive travel tabs incurred by CUC officials, continued hiring of personnel, implementation of across-the-board wage increase and additional $1,000 anniversary salary hike, amid what the firm called were “austerity measures.”

Local leaders are poised at instituting more stringent security measures that would keep sinister elements from harming any more tourists who hop to the Managaha Island for fun and relaxation activities. This, after an unfortunate mauling incident involving a Japanese tourist occurred on the remote island over the weekend, which leaders perceive as an assault to the local tourism industry. The 28-year-old lady victim had to be transported to the local hospital for severe facial injuries. Rep. Malua Peter disclosed the leadership’s plan to introduce a House resolution that would establish a fortified system of protection for tourists bound for the island west of Saipan.

‘BB violates own austerity’[/B]

The thin veneer of politeness between Gov. Juan N. Babauta and Personnel Officer Norbert Sablan that masked low-level tension over gubernatorial appointments has just gone kaput. Concerns raised by Sablan over the proposed salary level for two ranking gubernatorial appointees has apparently raised the hackles of Babauta, who pointed out to Sablan that the personnel actions are not in violation of any laws or regulations. Sablan told the Governor, however, that he would be remiss “if I did not advise you that the salaries that you are establishing for some of the positions in the Office of the Governor and to the executive department heads contradict the message of austerity that you have expressed to government employees and the public.”
[B] Supreme Court disbars Rhodes[/B]

The Supreme Court issued yesterday an order banning former Assistant Public Defender Douglas William Rhodes from further practicing law in the Northern Marianas, following the lawyer’s confession that he was convicted of a felony in Michigan in the late 1970s. Rhodes, who reportedly left the island last week, admitted to the high court during a February 6, 2002 closed hearing that he “robbed a gas station at knife point in the City of Adrian, Michigan in 1978.” For the said offense, he was convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment and five years probation.