Flashback May 8, 2000-2002

Lawyers begin probe of PCB[/B]

Texas-based lawyers began their investigation in Tanapag over the weekend in connection with the planned lawsuit against federal officials who may be held responsible for the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination in the northern coastal village in Saipan. With the absence of scientific study to prove the effect of PCB on humans, the lawyers face an uphill battle to prove that negligence of federal authorities have caused damage to public health. However, lawyers Charles S. Siegel and Andy Waters said they may have a stronger case in proving that PCB contamination in the village has caused learning disability among children.
[B] Mandarin Air brings hope to NMI’s tourism industry[/B]

It was a flight most people thought would never come in at least a couple of months after it canceled what could have been its maiden air transport service to Saipan Monday last week. This is the reason why Commonwealth officials found themselves crumbling to prepare for the arrival of Mandarin Airlines executives Friday night when they received a faxed message from the Taiwan-based carrier that its aircraft will be landing on the Saipan International Airport a few hours later. The economic promise of Mandarin Air’s decision to provide direct air transport service between Saipan and Taipei, however, outweighed the cramming to prepare a welcome ceremonies for the carrier’s maiden flight to the island in such a short notice.

Schools asked to teach Nippongo[/B]

English is fine but in order to attract more tourists from its main market of Japan, local schools should include more Niponggo classes in its curriculum. Marianas Visitors Authority Chair Dave M. Sablan lamented the fact that only a handful of local residents have the ability to speak the Japanese language. He batted for the incorporation of more Japanese language courses in the secondary level as well as at the Northern Marianas “My generation is probably the last to speak Japanese. After us, sadly we would not have any more. We need our school system and our college to begin teaching more Nippongo,” Mr. Sablan said.
[B] No afternoon delight, please[/B]

When this man says no to sex, he means no. And he stands by his decision even if it meant attacking her girl. So when the girlfriend insisted she is not taking no for an answer, he turned violent. All she wanted was a “sweet” afternoon with him. She ended up calling the police and he was arrested for assault and battery. What could have been a romantic and passionate afternoon landed on police blotter as a case of domestic abuse. Fernando Ortiz, 46, allegedly turned violent when his 44-year-old girlfriend identified only as Rivera offered that they “make out.”

Kennedy consults NMI on new takeover bill[/B]

Far from being convinced to hold off actions on any takeover bills for the CNMI, U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy is actually about to introduce anew his Fair Minimum Wage Act bill but, this time around, he has expressed willingness to allow the Commonwealth to have an input into the measure. Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio disclosed this in a letter to House Speaker Heinz S. Hofschneider dated May 1, where he said he had just received word from Kennedy’s office about the planned reintroduction of the Fair Minimum Wage Act. “In its present form, it currently includes language that will incrementally increase the CNMI minimum wage to that of the federal minimum wage. This new bill is almost identical to his previous bill except that the first increase will take place 60 days after enactment rather than immediately,” Tenorio said.

Bank deposits dropped 1.65 percent by end-March 2002 to $589.9 million from the previous quarter’s $599.8 million, according to a government document that compiles reports submitted by banking institutions in the Commonwealth. This, as loans increased by 3.27 percent reaching $285 million during the January-March 2002 period compared with $276 million in the October-December 2001 period, which indicated modest recovery in overall revenue-generating activities of CNMI banks. Loans and capital combined, total bank assets amounted to about $644.259 million by March 31, 2002, a report from the CNMI Banking Division disclosed.