Chamber offers Article 12 luncheon forum

The Saipan Chamber of Commerce will hold its May general membership meeting at the Hyatt Regency Saipan’s Sandcastle Ballroom this Wednesday, May 2, 2012, from 11:30am to 1pm. Luncheon service begins at 11:30am, with the meeting commencing at noon.

Guest speakers for the May meeting will be from the pro-abolition group, the non-profit Citizens for Change of Article 12. Speaking will be individual charter members Vince Seman, Alex Sablan, and Efrain Camacho.

The Chamber will also present Kay Delafield from the CNMI Water Task Force, Commonwealth Utilities Corp., who will discuss the Saipan Lower Base Industrial Park Waterline and Sewer System Improvement Project.

“[The Chamber] has been supportive of the abolishment of Article 12 for purely economic reasons,” said Chamber president Douglas Brennan. “If there’s not enough evidence establishing the reasons to make this change now, I don’t know what else we need to witness.”

The Chamber has submitted legislative comments and position papers to both the CNMI House and Senate, as the CNMI economy continues its tailspin and the inability of outside investment is hindered by existing land alienation laws. Extensive research with financial institutions indicates Article 12 restrictions have severely impacted local landowners attempting to secure loans and mortgages, as well as investment from outside the CNMI, as land cannot be held in fee simple by anyone of non-NMD descent.

The Chamber has extended the same opportunity to discuss reasons why Article 12 should be retained to those opposing its abolition. SCC has offered time at any Chamber general membership meeting to both proponents and opponents for the abolition of Article 12.

The Chamber reminds its members and the public that the petitions being circulated, one of which is available for signature at the Chamber offices in Garapan, are for purposes of placing the initiative, “To propose a constitutional amendment for the people of the NMI to vote to repeal, or retain, Article 12” on the November ballot.

The Chamber will receive reservations for the May 2 luncheon meeting at 233-7150, or through HYPERLINK “mailto:coordinator@saipanchamber.com” coordinator@saipanchamber.com. Lunch is $20 for Chamber members, and $30 for guests and the public.[I] (SCC)[/I]