Flashback May 7, 1999-2002

New takeover bid[/B]

In its continuing attempt to control CNMI’s labor and immigration functions, President Clinton’s special representative to the 902 talks has offered a new package of proposals that would apply US laws on immigration, minimum wage and customs in the Northern Marianas. In a letter to Lt. Gov. Jesus R. Sablan, Edward B. Cohen outlined steps Washington could implement if the federal government assumes jurisdiction of the immigration and minimum wage policies of the Commonwealth. Cohen said the proposal drafted for Clinton was presented to the local government to solicit their input before it is submitted to the US Congress. There was no immediate reaction from the Tenorio administration.

Inefficient, very slow, prejudiced and too bureaucratic—this was how the members of Saipan Chamber of Commerce rated the performance of the Department of Labor and Immigration. Unfortunately, DOLI Secretary Mark Zachares was not there to clarify various issues, namely the never-ending delays in the processing of documents, bonding fees, deportation of nonresident workers, amnesty, and the influx of undocumented immigrants to the CNMI. Chamber members expressed disappointment when Zachares canceled his scheduled talk during its monthly Wednesday meeting.

More contaminants unearthed[/B]

Additional sampling and assessment measures are necessary to completely address contamination concerns originating from the Puerto Rico dumpsite following the discovery of a number of other low-level contaminants. Although the contaminants do not endanger public health and the environment, Earth Tech Inc., has recommended a more extensive round of sediment sampling and total closure of the Puerto Rico dumpsite to prevent any leaching of contamination. The Environmental Site Assessment for the Puerto Rico said closure of the dumpsite according to federal standards will result in the cessation of any leaching problem and concerns of contamination earlier raised by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Kagman community members heaved a sigh of relief Saturday after findings of a Guam-based air-quality specialist labeled the presence of fibers inside some Kagman Elementary School classrooms a non-health risk. With this development, the school administration announced it will resume regular class sessions starting 7:30am until 3pm Tuesday, May 8, after faculty and staff finalize last-minute campus clean-ups today. Students attending the new Kagman public school are expected to report to class until June 21, according to its principal Ignacia Demapan.

CPA bites the travel crunch [/B]

Revenues generated by the Commonwealth Ports Authority from its aviation division dropped 5 percent during the first six months of financial year 2002, reflecting a decline in overall passenger traffic at the islands’ air transport facilities. A report obtained from the CPA disclosed that aviation revenues dropped to $7.01 million in the period covering October-March 2002, compared with the $7.4 million recorded during the same period last year. The CPA report attributed the overall drop in aviation revenues to lower enplanement fee collections, reduced landing and parking fees, fuel flowage, and incinerator services.

With the continuous increase in fuel prices, the comptroller of the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation emphasized the need to implement a fuel surcharge program that would levy on the customers’ billings oil price adjustments that increase operational cost. Saying that such a program is “more in line with the times,” comptroller Rufo T. Mafnas said supporting such a program is “more fiscally prudent,” as he also disclosed that the improvement in the CUC’s financial condition was due to reduced fuel cost. “For the past three months, CUC had been experiencing a per gallon fuel cost of approximately 61 cents; Mobil recently raised the price of fuel to 69 [cents], a spike of about 13 percent,” Mafnas said. “Given our historical experience of fuel cost, CUC should anticipate and prepare for higher fuel prices.”