Flashback — Oct. 1999-Oct. 2001

Don’t rush FTZ bill approval[/B]

Senate Vice President Thomas P. Villagomez expressed concern yesterday over pressures to pass the free trade zone bill without resolving problems on some of its provisions, saying changing the law in the next few years will send a wrong signal to foreign investors. He asked anew the Subcommittee on Free Trade Zone to address uncertainties regarding employment opportunities for residents as well as benefits of such a plan to the government. Noting that it would be unhealthy to have policies change after forging a deal between businesses and the government, Villagomez said the measure should include a provision that will ensure investors in the free trade zones comply with the end of the bargain.

The Small Business Development Center of the Northern Marianas College is offering a new program that would allow established business owners to learn from one another’s successful strategies. The program called Strategic Business Alliance will start on the third week of November, according to SBDC Manager Rik Villegas. Villegas said the six-month program, which is aimed at establishing strategic alliance among business owners in the CNMI, will provide a forum for business owners to exchange ideas during monthly brainstorming sessions.
[B] Oct. 26, 2000

Municipal council seeks road repairs[/B]

Members of the Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council has urged Mayor Jose C. Sablan and Public Works Secretary Juan B. Cepeda to expedite road repairs in areas connecting Kagman III, Kagman III and Phase IV toward the tank beach. Council Chair Gregorio V. Deleon Guerrero and Vice Chair David Indalecio, in a signed resolution, this week called the authorities’ attention on the poor condition of the roads that continue to pose as unnecessary threat to the health and safety of motorists traveling along the area. “This road is highly utilized by our people traveling to and from these areas and is also frequently used by our students attending Kagman Elementary School that are not riding the school bus and who are within the distance zone established by the Public School System,” said the council heads.

The Saipan Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the launching of their Cash for Trash Program. Director Jay B. Jones of Triple J Motors and chair of the business organization’s Environmental Committee commented “we didn’t want to create a program that wasn’t a win-win for all parties involved. This important community service will allow community and student groups to raise funds for their own purposes, the community gets some clean-up done and businesses are happy because they see tangible results when they donate to the fund, Armored Express Services, Inc. and Construction Material Supply.
[B] Oct. 26, 2001

PSS explores budget options[/B]

The Public School System yesterday assessed its financial capability to stay afloat in the new fiscal year, exploring three separate budget plans that try to picture the worst-case budget scenarios. The Board of Education Fiscal and Personnel Committee yesterday listened to the PSS Fiscal and Budget Office’s presentation on several budget options, in the event that it retains its current $37.2 million funding level or experience budget reductions. If the PSS continues to tread on the current $37.2 million continuing resolution, the agency expects to sufficiently support its operations, similar to FY 2001. This translates to meeting the PSS’ normal, recurring expenses such as communication, trash, minimal repair needs, maintenance, books, subscriptions, among others.

True to the commitment to deliver the CNMI from the current economic slump, and to improve and expand the fundamental needs and services for the citizens of CNMI, the Covenant Party unveiled its Covenant of Trust with the people. The Covenant of Trust details the quick and practical solutions that the Covenant party candidates intend to accomplish and deliver within specified periods of time starting from their first day in office. The party’s standard bearer, Speaker Ben Fitial said that the Covenant of Trust addresses critical concerns that need immediate attention.