Flashback – January 7, 2006-2008

[B][U]January 7, 2006[/U][/B] [B]‘NMI to lose air seats’[/B]

Unless new flights are introduced—especially for the Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan routes—the inbound air capacity for the CNMI is projected to decline by 25 percent this year—or a 60-percent drop from the 1997 figure. Data presented by the Strategic Economic Development Council to the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands showed that there were 750,635 number of seats available in fiscal year 2005 and 1.6 million seats in fiscal year 1997. In 2006, SEDC projects only 561,298 maximum air capacity unless new flights are launched. This does not include charter flights. The 2005 capacity included 14,880 seats each to and from Hong Kong and Taiwan and 417,367 seats to and from Japan.

[B]Wiseman stops Hyunjin from removing assets[/B]

The Superior Court issued a temporary restraining order yesterday preventing a garment manufacturer and its agents or employees from removing any personal property from its factory compound in Gualo Rai. Associate Judge David A. Wiseman, however, permitted the manufacturer, Hyunjin Saipan Inc., to ship cargo containers carrying garments outside of Saipan. It was reported that Hyunjin would cease operations in the CNMI on Feb. 10, 2006. Wiseman signed the modified TRO against Hyunjin following a lawsuit filed by real estate developer Kevin International Corp. against the garment manufacturer. In allowing the shipment of the cargo containers, the judge said that, if the garments were not shipped on time to their destination, Hyunjin would incur substantial losses.

[B][U]January 7, 2007[/U][/B] [B]3 schools rejoin Boy Scouts program[/B]

William S. Reyes Elementary School, Oleai Elementary School, and Koblerville Elementary School—have reactivated their membership with the Boy Scouts of America through the Aloha Council Headquarters in Hawaii. Aloha Council, Boy Scouts of America Executive-Marianas District Al J. Cabael said he and the board are impressed with the schools’ leadership in motivating the students to join the program and congratulate them for their efforts. “These principals and staff, along with students, parents and DPS Explorer Unit 906 Law Enforcement Explorer Post, are highly motivated to participate in the Cub Scouting program,” said Cabael.

[B]Copper wire thieves hit Dandan Community Park[/B]

Copper wires thieves struck again and this time the burglars didn’t spare the yet-to-open Dandan Community Park. Maeda Pacific officer Cleto Samonte told Saipan Tribune that the burglary occurred in the morning of Jan. 3. He said Department of Public Works project engineer Clem Sablan had called and informed Maeda Pacific that day that a panel board of the electrical building had been forcibly opened. On the same day, Maeda sent its company engineers, Jojo Saracho and Morrie Versoza, to inspect the site in Dandan. Samonte that Maeda called the police and reported the incident.

[B][U]January 7, 2008[/U][/B] [B]House OKs FY 2008 budget[/B]

Bent on beating its self-imposed Wednesday deadline for budget passage, the House of Representatives approved the appropriation bill for fiscal year 2008 on Saturday. The $168.8-million budget will be on the Senate agenda for action this afternoon. “I am optimistic that the Senate will look at the bill fairly and squarely, and approve it tomorrow (Monday),” House Speaker Oscar M. Babauta said yesterday. He said he hopes to have the budget ready for transmittal to the governor before the House adjourns sine die on Wednesday.

[B]Chamber installs new set of officers[/B]

The Saipan Chamber of Commerce installed a new set of officers during a glamorous dinner event held Saturday at the Hibiscus Hall of the Fiesta Resort and Spa Saipan. The night was highlighted by the announcement of the Chamber’s Business Person of the Year, Kwang Joong Kim, the general manager of Asiana Airlines Saipan. The Chamber officers for 2008 are James T. Arenovski as president, Harry Blalock, vice president; Michael S. Johnson, treasurer; Kathryn H. Barry, secretary; and directors Doug A. Brennan, Steve K. jang, Alex A. Sablan, David M. Sablan Sr., and John J. Santos. They were sworn in by Superior Court associate judge David A. Wiseman.