Public Works and safety concerns

I don’t have time to write like I used to but while riding my Trike I have noticed some issues that I must highlight because of safety issues. The first concern is the intersection in San Vicente that seems to have been forgotten about when it was almost completed. This intersection connects two major roads that are heavily traveled—yet the intersection seems to have been abandoned as no work has been done to complete the intersection for almost half-a-year. Although there are markers and dividers in place, the road is still partly blocked with cones and the light is not working. It is not a safe intersection in its present state and should not have been left in an incomplete state for this length of time. Many millions are being spent on this project and at the very least we should get better service with minimal inconveniences. I hope the person in charge of this project for the CNMI will say something to the contractors to finish the intersection before they tear up the Kagman intersection and we will have two half-done intersections.

Another thing I noticed was the school bus stop being torn down in San Vicente but nothing was built to replace it. I haven’t passed there in the mornings to see where these students are picked up but if they don’t have a proper bus stop, it will surely be another example of poor service for the bucks that are being spent.

Finally, I noticed a new sidewalk in Kagman III being built for students to get to and from school and for the public use. My concern is the sidewalk goes through a “jungle” area that cannot be seen from the street, which makes it an ideal place for an ambush, robbery, or worse. I also don’t see any light poles going up. It is vital to the safety of everyone that will use this sidewalk for it to be visible from the street and even lighted. The sidewalk is truly needed and I think it is great, especially since it is about 10 years late. Sidewalks are meant to keep pedestrians safe but the sidewalk through the jungle is worse than no sidewalk at all. There is a fence on one side but fences don’t stop criminals. All the trees on the street side of the sidewalk must be cut down, especially when the trees are growing in what was meant to be a water catchment or reservoir. If you think walking on the side of the road is dangerous, then walking on the new sidewalk hidden from view through the jungle will be like jumping from the frying pan into the fire. Please fix this before the sidewalk is finished and before something happens so I won’t have to say I told you so.

P.S.: The powers-that-be have been trying to push the casino down our throats for almost an entire decade now. We said no twice and they act like they didn’t even hear their bosses (voters). We are being asked again, now that the powers-that-be have allowed things to get worse just to make us say yes. Well, I told readers this would happen over four years ago and here it is, looking us right in the face. Voters need to know that there is no magic bullet and to put your future and faith in a casino is a sign of poor judgment that is clearly not in the best interest of the CNMI, only the handful that are promoting the casino because everyone knows how things really work here, it is no secret. I told you they would make it so hard for us that many would give in to the casino but we must stay strong and send the message that we want economic reforms not casinos. Reforms like the repealing of Article 12, which would do more for the CNMI than any casino.