Castro chairs Saipan, NI municipal council

Former Youth Congress delegate L.J. Castro is the 14th Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council chairman after he was elevated to the position by acclimation following its first organizational session yesterday at the Kiosku Round House in Chalan Kanoa.

Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang swore in Castro and Diego Kaipat in a short ceremony across the U.S. Post Office.

Castro alluded to being a stone’s throw away from the childhood homes of his father and mother. “From where I sit, across this kiosku and across our post office, I can see the childhood home of my mother. Down the street from this kiosku, a few yards down the road, stands the childhood home of my father. Sitting here with both of these places in my view and both of their memories in my heart is truly emotional. Though my parents are physically not here, celebrating this milestone, at this location with their humble beginnings in our midst makes this moment even more special, as I begin the next chapter of my life, as a public official,” Castro read in his speech.

“The issues of our Commonwealth are also the issues of our villages, the issues of our people, and these are challenges that we must face head on, for as our islands change, so do our villages. And as they change, so must we,” he said.

The 14th Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council would be composed of Castro, Kaipat, and former chairwoman Antonio Tudela if she is appointed,

“It is no secret our villages are dealing with many problems…These problems may seem overwhelming to tackle for just three people, but they are not impossible to rectify,” he said.

Kaipat vowed to work with Castro and Tudela to help solve the problems that continue to plague Saipan. He will also serve as vice chairman and secretary of the municipal council. Kaipat was a member of the 12th municipal council but was appointed after only Ramon B. Camacho and Tudela ran for the three posts.

Apatang, who presided over the swearing in ceremony, congratulated Castro and Kaipat and said the Saipan Mayor’s Office is looking forward to working with them both.

Aside from Apatang, Northern Islands Mayor Jerome Aldan also graced the swearing in ceremony for Castro and Kaipat.

Rep. Angel Demapan (R-Saipan); Rep. Alice Igitol (R-Saipan); and former representative William Torres, who served as chairman pro tem during the organizational session, also attended yesterday’s swearing in.