FLASHBACK February 26, 1999-2002

PR firm hiring backed[/B]

The Saipan Chamber of Commerce yesterday asked Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio to look for the needed funds so that the CNMI government can engage the services of a public relations firm. To resolve the issue, David A. Wiseman, chairman of the government relations committee, asked the governor to meet with members of the Chamber so that they can both discuss possible ways on how to raise the money. While US Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) has indicated his support to the CNMI in blocking efforts of Washington to federalize labor and immigration, the Chamber said it is still important to hire a public relations firm to counter the negative attacks against the Northern Marianas by promoting its positive image.

The Aviation Task Force is eyeing to tap Hawaiian Airlines to provide service in the Northern Marianas but such plan would depend on whether or not the Commonwealth Ports Authority would grant a 50 percent reduction in airport fees and charges as an incentive to new carriers. Aside from providing inter-island service in Hawaii, it also flies to the US West Coast. It was able to obtain a license from the US Department of Transportation to fly between Saipan and Fukuoka but later on sold it to Northwest Airlines in late ’80s. According to JM Guerrero, head of the task force, the Northern Marianas must take advantage of the opportunity to convince Hawaiian Airlines to service the CNMI since it has already obtained the route to fly to Japan in the year 2000.

CUC faces House scrutiny[/B]

The continued bickering on utility debts and excessive travel tabs incurred by officials of the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation are likely to cause more uproar as the Legislature prepares for an in-depth investigation next week. The lower chamber of the CNMI Legislature has been summoning courage to stay focus on the issue despite CUC’s persistent refusal to provide the House of Representatives the requested financial status. Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Communication chair Rep. Rosiky F. Camacho disclosed Friday that a committee meeting scheduled on March 8 for the CUC and the Commonwealth Development Authority has been set to discuss the partnership agreement entered into by the CNMI government and the Office of Insular Affairs.

Despite ongoing major runway improvements, Rota may still have to wait until it becomes economically viable for Continental Micronesia to resume its air service to the island. Bill Meehan, Continental Micronesia President, told the sad news during the Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) General Membership Meeting at the Hyatt last Friday, were he was the keynote speaker. “We cannot fly an empty aircraft just to honor a commitment,” Mr. Meehan said. “The commitment has always been there and we intend to honor it, but there has to be a demand. We need to be a successful airline first to be an airline at all.”

Tourism loss may reach $152-M[/B]

The CNMI economy could fail to tap some $162 million in additional revenue from the tourism sector if strategies to revive the tourism industry do not push through this year. This grim scenario presented by key players in the tourism industry during a strategic planning meeting held Thursday will only be erased if all efforts are refocused toward the number one travel market for the CNMI-Japan. Based on data presented by the tourism industry players, the CNMI will generate an additional $162 million from the tourism industry alone if all efforts are exhausted in 2002 to bring in an additional 100,000 Japanese tourists, beyond the present number of arrivals from Japan.

All seven defendants in the Jan. 27 Talofofo target practice shooting incident that killed a seven-year-old girl pleaded not guilty during their arraignment before the Superior Court yesterday. The defendants, including Anthony T. Benavente, who was leveled with involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault and battery charges, entered their not-guilty pleas with the aid of their lawyer, Brian Nicolas The court has set the case for a status conference on June 9, 2002, at 9am, to be presided by Associate Judge David A. Wiseman.