It’s final: Liberation Day will just be a daylong event

It’s official: The 2012 Liberation Day festivities will just be a daylong celebration, according to Saipan Mayor Donald G. Flores.

Flores, who just returned from a trip to the Philippines, said in a briefing Friday that he and members of the Liberation Day committee arrived at that decision following a meeting on May 24.

“Even without any funding from the Legislature, the committee decided that we will observe the Liberation Day on the actual day, July 4th,” he said.

Henry Hofschneider, special adviser to Flores, said during Friday’s briefing that the decision to hold a one-day celebration will “save everyone time, effort, and resources.”

Hofschneider said they “apologize” if they sounded upbeat by previously considering the idea of celebrating the biggest community event for a whole month.

“We weren’t trying to make it lavish,” he explained. “The CNMI people deserve the best, even when the economy is down. Making it a monthlong celebration was never finalized because we knew the money was an issue.”

Hofschneider added, “We’re just trying to put together something that the community can enjoy.”

Both Hofschneider and Flores said this year’s event will still feature the usual activities such as the Liberation Day parade, the float competition, and the Liberation Queen pageant.

Flores disclosed that the committee has yet to decide between the Civic Center and the Hopwood Jr. High School for the actual venue of the festivities. Whichever location is chosen, Flores said they are looking at starting the parade by the Mount Carmel Cathedral grounds.

He said the celebration is tentatively set from 6am to 6pm so that the Mayor’s Office will not incur any expenses like utilities since no funding, not even from his office’s own appropriation, will be used for the event.

“I don’t want to sacrifice the services we provide to the community by using these public funds,” he said.

Flores said the committee will solicit from the business community for assistance. “We’re going to ask for their help because there won’t be any public funds expended other than our employees’ time.”

Hofschneider emphasized that the Fourth of July celebration will push through with or without help from the Legislature.

“I think enough has been said and now it’s time to move on,” he said.

According to Hofschneider, the Saipan and Northern Islands Delegation called for a meeting at 9am today to discuss this year’s Liberation Day event.

He lamented that a notice of the meeting was issued to delegation members but not to the Liberation committee and to Flores personally or in his official capacity.

Hofschneider said neither the mayor nor the committee plans to attend the meeting since they already informed the delegation about their request for assistance.

“If the delegation is willing to help and give us funds, then that will be welcome. But we won’t be begging or asking them for assistance anymore,” he added.

Flores pointed out that since he took over as mayor, the last two years’ Liberation Day festivities did not use any public funds.

The Liberation committee raises money through solicitations from business establishments and other fundraising activities such as the Liberation Queen tickets and the raffle tickets.

Hofschneider recounted that in 2010, the delegation appropriated $45,000, which was line vetoed. Last year, $45,000 was also appropriated and the delegation assured that the Mayor’s Office will be reimbursed. However, only $26,000 has been received to cover the 2011 Liberation Day expenses.

He maintained that the Mayor’s Office will continue to spearhead the celebration provided that the Legislature authorize the mayor to raise revenues for the event.

According to Hofschneider, they already shared the idea with lawmakers less than two years ago and presented them a draft. However, they have yet to hear from the Legislature about their proposal.

“We invite the community, public officials as well, to help us celebrate Liberation Day. We continue to urge and ask for their support on this event,” said Flores.