Flashback — June 6, 2012

Fitial: Enforce anti-littering laws[/B]

Alarmed by the growing problem of littering on the islands, House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial has prodded the police to enforce regulations that prohibit residents to throw away their garbage just about anywhere. He cited for instance that public beaches have become dirty as heaps of trash are left behind by some people, especially during weekends. This is particularly damaging to the tourism industry, a vital part of the CNMI economy, and could discourage visitors to come to the islands because of this environmental eyesore.

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio signed three new laws yesterday, including appropriation of $10.5 million for construction of two new high schools on Saipan as well as creation of a special account for ambulance fees collected by the Department of Public Health. He endorsed the plan by the Board of Education to construct two new high schools instead of just one, which he said will allow for better environment for the students, as well as for their parents. “The proposed sites for the schools at Koblerville and Kagman will reduce busing and commuting time for the students and or parents, as the students will be attending school closer to their homes,” he said in signing Public Law 12-5.

PSS losing staff[/B]

A staggering 20 percent of the Public School System’s teaching faculty are expected to leave the system this year. It may mean that PSS may not be able to regain lost staffing if funding woes persist. PSS employees exiting the system is numbered at 80, comprised of teachers that have decided to resign and retire. A portion of the total number consists of staff that the PSS administration has opted not to keep due to poor job performance. Meanwhile, an additional 35 teachers are also up for transfer within the system in anticipation of the opening of new school campuses in December 2001.

There will be no mandatory investigation for other worn out buildings built in the early 60’s despite concerns of possible asbestos contamination. Health officials disclosed that the ongoing investigation will solely focus on the complaints filed by Division of Land Registration and Survey office. Public Health acting Secretary Pete Untalan said constructors of buildings established in 1960’s were believed to have used asbestos pipes and other building materials with magnesium silicates.
[B] Jun. 6, 2002

Chamber touts small biz’s contributions[/B]

The Saipan Chamber of Commerce rallied behind small- and medium-scale businesses, which reportedly contribute 39 percent of the government’s annual earnings. This, as the business organization asked the CNMI government to foster economic growth through the empowerment of small businesses in the Northern Marianas. Chamber officials urged members of the Legislature to resume the roundtable discussion with the private sector, in order to pave the road for more investor- and business-friendly measures. Chamber President Richard A. Pierce said the business community has been hardly asked for inputs regarding any of the proposed measure introduced at the 13th CNMI Legislature that may have direct or indirect effect on the private sector.

JoAnn Yoon Fukomoto , a member of the General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church, paid Governor Juan N. Babauta a courtesy call Tuesday to appraise him of the Methodist work on Peace with Justice in Southern California and the Pacific, which includes the Marianas. Babauta, as Washington CNMI representative, remembered a call he made on the General Secretary of the Church and Society Board to enlist the Church’s support in recognizing the right of the CNMI to be duly represented with committee voice rights like the other Insular Territories in the United States Congress. Fukomoto, accompanied by Rev. Jaime R. Vergara, resident Pastor of the Immanuel United Methodist Church of Saipan, pledge their support in bringing the matter formally to the legislative bodies of the United Methodist Church, as well as informally, to the Methodist members of the US Congress.