Flashback – Jan. 1999-Jan. 2003

Jan 27, 1999

CHC Volunteers gets $2,000 from Pacificare

The Commonwealth Health Center Volunteers Association announced that it received a check in the amount $2,000 from Pacificare Health Systems, Inc. “The donation will be used in the upgrading of the Hemodialysis Unit Systems. This type of financial assistance is vital to our organization’s effort and we certainly appreciate Pacificare’s support,” according to CHC Voluntcers spokesperson Susan Schwarz. Pacificare Foundation President Bill Wood notes: “We believe strongly in giving back to the communities we serve. We are pleased to support such a worthwhile organization as the CHC Volunteers and look forward to assisting it in meeting the community’s vital needs.”

CPA seeks funding to repair breakwater

The Commonwealth Ports Authority has asked CNMI representative to Washington Juan N. Babauta for assistance in looking for sources of funding to be able to complete the $25.5 million rehabilitation of Tinian breakwater. While the ports authority recognizes the need for its immediate repair, it cannot do anything to solve the problem because the rehabilitation is beyond its financial capability. As Tinian is heavily dependent on its seaport for trade and tourism, the ports authority experessed concern that the worsening situation may endanger the peoples lives and disrupt their source of livelihood.

Jan 27, 2000

CDA notes hike in loans

Reeling from the adverse impact of the economic downturn, more businesses have resorted to loans from both public and private financing companies with the government’s Commonwealth Development Authority lending over $5 million in a three-month period alone. Government statistics for the second quarter of 1999 indicated that at the trend CDA is giving out loans, the government-controlled finance institution may have exceeded the previous year’s $8 million tally. Records obtained from the Economic Development Division of the Department of Commerce showed that CDA approved $5.1 million in guarantee loans during the second quarter of 1999, up from the previous year’s $200,000.

MVA asked to vacate airport space

The Commonwealth Ports Authority is asking the government’s tourism agency to vacate the space it currently occupies at the Saipan International Airport to pave the way for the relocation of CPA’s operations division. Ports Authority Executive Director Carlos H. Salas said the use of the Saipan airport building space has been extended by CPA to Marianas Visitors Authority’s Field Operations Division. “[However] our operational needs have become such that we must kindly ask that the MVA find a new home for its Field Operations Division,” said Mr. Salas in a letter to MVA Managing Director Perry J. Tenorio.

Jan 27, 2003

Bill to take DPH to task on dead animals in public roads

The Senate recently passed legislation that will make removing animal carcass from public roads a task for the Department of Public Health and Environmental Services. Senate Bill 13-112 intends to take the said responsibility away from the Department of Public Safety. According to the Senate, the DPS should stay focused on its community policing duties. Public Law 6-37 Section 3(d) as set forth in 2 CMC § 3412(d) has made removing animal remains found on public roads a secondary responsi-bility for the police department, SB 13-112 cited. The bill, authored by Sen. Joaquin G. Adriano, contends that the DPS would be in a better position to concentrate on drug interdiction, homicide and armed robbery inves-tigations and traffic enforcement if the DPH took over the responsibility.

NMI to get $780,000 in HUD funds

As part of President Bush’s ongoing effort to increase affordable housing and minority homeownership in Hawaii and other insular areas, including the Northern Marianas, Housing and Urban Developing Secretary Mel Martinez announced a proposed $354,000 increase for the Department’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program. The announcement is part of the Bush Administration’s fiscal year 2004 budget request of Congress, a five-percent boost over current funding that would provide Hawaii communities more than $8.3 million. Martinez also announced increases for American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Marianas. American Samoa would receive $410,000, an increase of $21,000.