FLASHBACK – December 3, 2011

MPLT, CDA sign loan deal for park improvement[/B]

The Commonwealth Development Authority and the Marianas Public Land Trust signed Friday a loan agreement and a promissory note that would release the $2 million loan assistance for the American Memorial Park Beautification Project. CDA Board Chair Juan S. Tenorio and MPLT Board Chair Juan S. Torres said the loan agreement is expected to fast-track the completion of the project, which is seen to add value to Saipan as a tour destination. The MPLT agreed to loan out $2 million to the CDA after Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio signed legislation into law, appropriating funds for the design and construction of a visitor center, memorial garden, among others at the American Memorial Park.

Saying that heart disease remains the No. 1 killer in America, a medical team from Guam is on Saipan to train doctors and nurses from the Commonwealth Health Center and private clinics on technologically advanced methods regarding heart care. An education team from the Guam Memorial Hospital, headed by Dr. Vincent Dueñas, is conducting the Advanced Cardiac Life Support course. The first batch of participants took the two-day course last Friday and Saturday, while the second batch started with the workshop yesterday and is completing it today. “This educational outreach is made possible by the University of Washington Continuing Clinical Education Program Grant,” said Therese M. Hart, Guam Memorial Hospital’s acting administrator.

Eased rules on paying poker fees passed[/B]

With the soft economy making inroads on poker machine revenues, the CNMI government has made it easier for poker arcade operators to pay their annual licensing fees. Instead of shelling out a license fee of $12,000 per machine in one fell swoop, poker arcade operators may now initially pay just a fourth of the total amount and spread out the rest through three equal installments to be paid every quarter. This came about after Gov. Juan N. Babauta signed into law House Bill 13-195, the measure that seeks to give poker machine operators more flexibility in paying their annual licensing fees.

Public Works Secretary Juan S. Reyes has tasked his department’s construction management group to look into the real cause of anticipated delay in the completion of the Marpi landfill project. Reyes said the department may withhold remaining payment to the consortium of Dick Pacific Corporation and Pacific Drilling Ltd. if the probe reveals that the reason for the anticipated failure to meet the facility’s completion deadline was unsubstantiated or non-meritorious. The secretary underscored the need to complete the Marpi landfill by the contract deadline on December 29, noting that the Puerto Rico dumpsite has already been filled to maximum capacity.

‘New member’s entry to CUC board questionable'[/B]

Although he is scheduled to be sworn in tomorrow, the entry of Tinian’s Allen Perez to the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. Board remains uncertain for his “failure to win confirmation” within 90 days following his appointment, based on a 1992 legal opinion issued by then Senate legal counsel Pam Brown. The opinion, dated April 27, 1992 and issued by Brown-whose confirmation to the Attorney General post is also being contested-ruled that the Senate cannot entertain “renomination” of any person previously “nominated” by the governor “but who was either rejected outright or failed to win confirmation.”

The five-member Senate majority adopted a resolution yesterday shortening by 15 days the suspension imposed on minority members Pete P. Reyes, Ramon S. Guerrero, Thomas P. Villagomez and David M. Cing. The adoption of Senate Resolution 13-82 during a Tinian session rendered what was supposed to be a 30-day suspension over by Dec. 1, Monday. Senate President Paul A. Manglona said the move to lift the suspension earlier than expected was in line with the governor’s call for unity in the upper chamber, as well as the common sentiment of the majority members.