FLASHBACK – Apr. 9, 2012

Apr. 9, 2001

Feds seize hot cars from businessmen

The US government seized from its Chinese owners a pair of luxury and sport utility vehicles that federal agents believe were ill-obtained using funds derived from an illegal gambling operation. The owners of a 1999 Mitsubishi Montero and a 2000 Toyota 4Runner confiscated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in February this year were indicted before the US District Court with charges in connection with an illegal gambling business. Hui Min Huang and Jun Wie Liu pleaded not guilty to the charges late last year. Both, including Lu Rong Tian, Triple J Motors, and others have been summoned by the federal court to submit claims or state reasons why the units should not be condemned or forfeited.

Feds’ assistance sought for local water problems

Newly installed US Interior Secretary Gale Norton has been urged to help address water-related problems faced by the Commonwealth, in light of the absence of adequate potable water sources in the CNMI. “The present quality of the water being supplied to every single household on Saipan for human consumption is grossly below the level of the national standards,” said former Covenant negotiator and lieutenant governor Pete A. Tenorio. In a letter to the new DOI secretary, Mr. Tenorio said not a single water source developed on Saipan is clean and safe enough for human consumption, adding that at least 90 percent of CNMI residents are forced to buy bottled water or collect rainwater through a roof-catchment facility.

Apr. 9, 2002

$80M worth of projects yet to be implemented

Out of the 260 identifiable CIP projects for the CNMI, the Commonwealth government has yet to implement some $80-million worth of infrastructure, ranging from buildings to roads that could have pumped in needed money into the ailing economy. This was due to several internal factors that the Department of Public Works is facing, according to Secretary Juan S. Reyes. “Out of the 260 identifiable projects, an estimated sum of $80 million has not been bidded out for various reasons,” said Rep. William S. Torres, who was with Reyes yesterday at a beautification project in Gualo Rai.

PSS leaders urged: Stay away from politics

The State Board of Education has penned a resolution discouraging the active involvement of Public School System leaders in political campaigns and activities while under the public institution’s employ. The resolution, which was adopted by the BOE last week, prohibits PSS leaders from seeking an elective office, as it “detracts from the important educational work at hand, confuses the public and implies that students’ educational welfare is not first and foremost to such PSS leadership.” PSS leaders targeted by the resolution include members of the 8th CNMI BOE, the Commissioner of Education, PSS associate commissioners and public school principals.

Apr. 9, 2003

Senator will seek deferment of FEBC’s lease renewal request

With both houses of Legislature readying for its first joint session that will tackle three public land leases this Friday, Sen. Ramon S. Guerrero disclosed plans yesterday to recommend for the deferment of action on the lease extension request by the Far East Broadcasting Company. Also calendared for Friday’s joint session are the lease extension requests of Kan Pacific Saipan Ltd. and the Micronesian Development Company Inc. on Tinian. Guerrero, chairman of the Senate Committee on Resources, Economic Development and Programs, said he received information on FEBC that merit further probe before its lease renewal request can be brought before the full Legislature for action.

Rota firm sued over unpaid debt

A local company has sued a business establishment on Rota for unpaid debt amounting to almost $15,000. New Shintani Corp. filed the lawsuit before the Superior Court against David R. Quitugua, who does business as Unity Q. Enterprises. New Shintani lawyer Michael White claimed that the Rota company has failed to pay his client the principal amount of $14,575.75, besides interest accruing since September 20, 1995. A document attached by White in the complaint showed that the indebtedness stemmed from various transactions between the Rota firm and his client involving the purchase of construction materials and rental of equipment made as early as April 7, 1994.