Unsolicited advice to all gubernatorial candidates

Dear gubernatorial hopeful,

Because you have thrown your hat into the ring and are vying to be our islands’ next governor, I offer some unsolicited advice on what is needed to repair the damage that has been accumulating over the years to our economy and county. These thoughts are for you to ponder over while you run around shaking hands and promising all sorts of goodies. Remember, reality sets in after election time, so begin thinking about what you will be doing then.

[B]My first advice is to bring together the mixture of people living in this country that are United States citizens and have the right to vote.[/B] Too often in the past all the candidates have preached mainly to the indigenous populace. The rest of us who are not indigenous are left out. But you as the new governor must speak to us also. You must include us because we are part of the community.

There are more and more mainland United States citizens actively living and working in the CNMI. Many of them have much to contribute to this country. But there is a saying among the local people that says: “Outsiders—Last to hire and first to fire!”

Many of us mainland residents have come to love and enjoy living here, but feel left out of the mainstream. Rarely are we called upon to serve. Past governors have looked upon us as curiosity pieces to look at but not to touch. Can you recall how many mainland U.S. citizens have served in a cabinet post in recent years or in any other position of influence?

Consider the other ethnic groups of U.S. citizens either born here or who have obtained U.S. citizenship that can vote also. There are quite a few. All of them love and enjoy calling the CNMI home. They all want to serve and share in making a better government. They all bring many fresh ideas and energy that will help our country. These islands have become our home as much as that of the indigenous people.

First, we are all United States citizens and residents of these islands. Only second do we pay allegiance to our ethnicity. Ignore this advice and you could lose the election.

[B]The next piece of advice when you win is—don’t hire cabinet members and agency heads who have no experience or schooling.[/B] Stop hiring them because they helped you win or are your relatives. With incompetent top management how can a country grow? Your first duty is to our country. Relatives should not come before the nation. If you let them come first, you become a hypocrite and a false leader to us.

[B]One of the most important things you must begin doing immediately upon taking office is to begin training our citizens to become productive workers.[/B] Too many of us have been demoralized by the endless influx of non-resident workers. The overabundance of non-residence workers has caused a blight on our nation. The system has demoralized so many people that only a handful will work. Ever wonder why so many of our citizens are on welfare and unskilled?

It is time that we become the laborers, skilled in the various trades and also in management professions. You must insist on developing an educated populace willing to assume any and all roles in the

workplace. Blue collar trades people must be placed on the same level as white collar employees (office employees) and paid accordingly.

There is no better way to build a nation’s economy than with educated citizens capable of running their own country. As governor, you can do so much to motivate us. Your examples and strong motivation will encourage us to succeed. Lead us forward; do not push us from behind.

[B]Remember being a governor means that we the people place our trust in you.[/B] Regardless who finances you or does vote-getting favors for you, your obligations and duties are always to us the people. Do not prostitute yourself to any family or group that you feel obligated to. Do not smear your character with innuendos. It takes a lifetime to build a character. But a stupid and careless momentary act can shower damaging shame on you and on us.

Though we are in a recession, these are the times to become innovative. I have repeatedly said that we have acres of diamonds under our feet, but unfortunately we do not know how to mine them. It is not lack of funding that holds us back. It is lack of determination and resourcefulness.

Let us turn our heads towards Asia where we have a potential market of over 3.5 billion people which includes Taiwan, Japan, Korea and China. A bit further is India and Europe with millions more of people. We are close to Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. These add millions more. Have we studied how to sell to them? Is there anything we can sell to them?

I strongly urge you to set up a department whose sole job is to solicit industries to come here and set-up their companies. This should be headed by someone experienced in business and negotiation. You must also set up a department to deal with the airlines in all of the above mentioned regions to seek cooperative flights. Again this is to be done by an experienced individual.

You as our new governor must motivate us to become self-sufficient. Its okay to invite foreign investors, but our people must work in their investment structures. You must insist that our trained and skilled citizens be hired, not outsiders.

There is other unsolicited advice I could offer on how we can become strong economically. [B]But the most important is that you come and walk among us and feel with us. Talk to us about the problems you are facing on our behalf.[/B] Become our “great father” as chiefs of old did. If you explain what we are facing and how you want us to work with you, we will cooperate with you. Don’t send emissaries. We need to see you, talk with you and break bread with you.

It seems that once a candidate is elected governor, he becomes a different person. First, he isolates himself from us. Then he surrounds himself with a bunch of sycophants. Slowly he loses touch with us. When he does appear, we are made to feel that the “Pope” is appearing.

Please don’t lose the touch of humility and the “milk of human understanding.” At all times be truthful to us. Be firm but be just. Don’t lie or hide your actions. Be transparent. Tell us what you and the rest of your administration are doing.

Mend the fence with the United States. Immediately and sincerely ask for help to straighten out the problems we have created with the CUC, including water supply and wastage. There is both money and help readily available if we approach the United States properly. Remember the U.S needs us as badly as we need the U.S. But we must be willing to be open with them and expect the same from them.

[B]Strive to work harmoniously as a unit with the Legislature and Judiciary.[/B] All of you should work as a team, not as separate entities. It is a must to have the three of you agreeing.

May the most sincere man win. But whoever you may be remember: “These are the times that try the souls of men.” You have the opportunity to be a great leader or just another governor. Only you can motivate us to aspire to greatness. You must be our strong leader in all activities. You must lead and make us believe in you but most of all in ourselves. [B]Give us the vision.[/B] We stand ready to follow and serve with you. Good luck at the polls.

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[I]Pellegrino is a longtime businessman in the CNMI and is the former president of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce.[/I]