Community Briefs – December 7, 2015

Office closures for DNP today
The Disability Network Partners will be having professional development training on EEOC and Ethics today, Dec. 7, 2015. The following offices will be closed for this training: Office of Vocational Rehabilitation; Council on Developmental Disabilities; University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities out of the Northern Marianas College; CNMI Respite Care Program; and Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy Systems Inc. All offices above will go back to regular working hours on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015. (DNP)

Pohnpei voters urged to vote in runoff polls tomorrow
Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia is gearing up for its runoff election for the seats of governor and lieutenant governor, scheduled for tomorrow, Dec. 8. Acting governor Marcello Peterson is being challenged for the gubernatorial seat by FSM Ambassador to China, Akilino Susaya. In the race for the lieutenant governor’s seat, former Pohnpei State Legislative Speaker Nelson Pelep is running against Reed Oliver. In the CNMI, all eligible Pohnpei voters are being asked to cast their ballots tomorrow, Dec. 8, at the Carolinian Utt in Garapan, Saipan. Voting starts at 7am and will close at 7pm. (PR)

Cancer survivors, caregivers support meeting
All people facing cancer, their family members, and caregivers are invited to the next Commonwealth Cancer Association monthly support meeting on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015, starting at 5:30pm at the Chamolinian Room of the Hyatt Regency Saipan. Guest speaker will be Ms. Monie, a survivor. Topic: “Successful experience for survivors of cancer: How to take care of your health doing backyard gardening.” To RSVP or for more information, call the CCA at 682-0050 or email at ccamarianas@gmail.com or cca@ccamarianas.org. (CCA)

Nominations open for Employer Support Freedom Award
The deadline to submit nominations for the 2016 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is on Dec. 31, 2015. Presented by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense office, the Freedom Award is the nation’s highest honor presented to civilian employers for exceptional support of their National Guard and Reserve employees. ESGR encourages Guardsmen, Reservists, or family members acting on their behalf, to submit nominations at www.FreedomAward.mil. The Freedom Award ceremony is held in Washington, D.C., for up to 15 deserving employers each year in August. (ESGR)

Military training at FDM, Warning Area 517
The U.S. military will conduct training at the island of Farallon de Medinilla during the following dates and times:
• Dec. 7-10, from 2pm to 10:30pm
• Dec. 11, from 10:30am to 10pm
• Dec. 12, from 10am to 10pm
• Dec. 13, from 10am to noon

The U.S. Coast Guard will conduct training at Warning Area 517 on Dec. 10-11, from 9am to 4pm.

The general public, especially fishermen, commercial pilots and marine tour operators are advised to stay clear of the areas during the dates and times indicated.

The general location of the training on the island of Farallon de Medinilla will be on a 10-nautical mile radius on all quadrants.

W-517 is an irregular shaped polygon comprising of 14,000 nautical square miles of airspace that begins south of Guam and extends south-southwest in international waters. This will affect fishing in the vicinity of Santa Rosa Reef and Galvez Bank. (JRM)