Flashback – Oct. 6, 2011

DLNR runs out of plant vouchers[/B]

The Department of Lands and Natural Resources yesterday said it has run out of plant vouchers with the deluge of requests for free vouchers for a plant of their choice. According to Public Information Officer Marianne C. Teregeyo, some 150 vouchers were issued this year and divided for distribution among DLNR, Division of Agriculture and the Division of Parks and Grounds. She said the vouchers were divided among the three offices for easy access and convenience to the general public. The three agencies were pleased with the overwhelming response of the public who were enthusiastic in receiving the free vouchers in exchange for a plant in participating island nurseries.

The Environmental Protection Agency is considering extending emergency assistance to the Northern Marianas in the event that the Y2K computer glitch creates environmental problems. Different government agencies and businesses in the CNMI have upgraded their computer system to be Y2K compliant. EPA seeks to determine the type of assistance the CNMI might need so it could provide the appropriate response, according to William M. Robberson, member of EPA’s regional response team. “We are trying to decide what kind of help you will need, if any at all. If there is high confidence that there won’t be any problems, then we will be comfortable that we won’t have to respond at all to any chemical spill,” he said.

DPH: Do not eat land crabs in Tanapag[/B]

The Department of Public Health yesterday asked the people to refrain from eating land crabs caught in Tanapag area as a precautionary measure after preliminary sampling results showed that five land crabs had detectable levels of polychlorinated biphenyl. DPH Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez said the PCB levels in the land crabs are below the standard established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for fish. “These detectable levels, however, do approach the more conservative guidelines of U.S. EPA,”he added. The preliminary land crab consumption advisory issued by DPH was based on very limited and preliminary sampling results on land crabs caught in Tanapag village, in and around the vicinity of Cemetery 2, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

In what could be a major push to the CNMI government’s housing program, the Commonwealth Development Authority has successfully negotiated for at least 20 mortgage insurance slots with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The 20 slots secured from the HUD represents a significant improvement in comparison to the initial implementation of the program in the Northern Marianas when only one home mortgage insurance was issued by a local bank. The Memorandum of Agreement between the Northern Marianas Housing Corporation and the U.S. government’s HUD for the mortgage insurance slots is expected to be formalized within the year.

Veto seen in bill ‘correcting’ PL 13-1[/B]

The measure that intends to correct the flaws identified in Public Law 13-1 has a distinct possibility of running into a brick wall. Acting Gov. Diego T. Benavente said that, although he hasn’t had the chance yet to discuss the matter with Gov. Juan N. Babauta, he believes that the Babauta administration remains opposed to the intent of the measure, which means that they may veto the bill. “I haven’t had the chance to speak to the Governor about it but, in my discussion with the Legislature-both the House [of Representatives] and the Senate-I’ve informed them of our objection to the intent or position of House Bill 13-126 and I don’t believe that that has changed. At this point, our position is that we may more than likely veto House Bill 13-126,” said Benavente.
[B] Tinian Dynasty ordered to pay workers $591K in back wages[/B]

Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino will pay $591,535.02 in back wages to settle charges filed by the U.S. Department of Labor that the company violated the overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. A consent judgment resolving the lawsuit was signed by Northern Marianas U.S. District Court Judge Alex R. Munson on September 30. Under the terms of the judgment, Hong Kong Entertainment (Overseas) Investment, Ltd., doing business as Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino, and its lead principal, agreed to pay overtime wages for the period February 6, 1999 through February 9, 2001.