Flashback – July 10, 2000-2002

Clinton’s economic plan for CNMI readied

A report will be released this week detailing a package of economic initiatives that will be put in place by the Clinton administration in the CNMI and other U.S. territories in a bid to improve the islands’ living standards. Office of Insular Affairs Director Ferdinand Aranza on Thursday briefed Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio about the forthcoming report and gave him an update on the so-called President Clinton’s Interagency Group on Insular Areas (IGIA). The group, formed in August 1999 and comprised of senior White House officials and the governors of the CNMI, Guam, American Samoa and U.S. Virgin Islands, has come up with the package aimed at assisting each of the islands’ economy.

Lack of funds worries DPS on creation of civilian volunteer unit

Public Safety Commissioner Charles W. Ingram Jr. is seeking an overhaul of a proposed measure which seeks to establish a Civilian Volunteer Police on the island. In a letter to Rep. Dino M. Jones, chair of the Judiciary and Government Operations Committee, Mr. Ingram said the program under HB 12-197 should instead be called Police Reserve Program as he requested that legislation which attempts to control the administration of the program be scrapped. While the intent of having a reserve police officer program is commendable, Mr. Ingram said such effort is not feasible at this time due to lack of necessary funds. The cost of training and equipment meant for a Reserve Unit would be better used for either pay raises for the Department of Public Safety or increase in hazard pay.

July 10, 2001

House panel supports CHC’s nursing needs

House Health and Welfare Committee Chair Malua T. Peter pledged support to the Department of Public Health’s request for funds needed to hire additional nurses for the public hospital. This, after the health department voiced out the need for additional $2 million to support its nursing program, particularly in the hiring of off-island nurses. However, Peter said she would have to clarify with authorities some concerns related to the hiring of nurses, as well as the hospital’s current manpower needs.

Northern Islands’ development plan backed

The Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council urged Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio to fast-track the implementation of the Northern Islands Development Plan. The Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council threw its support to long-term development plans laid down by Mayor Joseph T. Ogumoro through a resolution it adopted last week. Ogumoro has been actively campaigning to promote economic development in the Northern Islands, in preparation for the eventual resettlement of its residents.

July 10, 2002

Pollution blamed in Smiling Cove fishkill

Days after the continuous heavy downpour brought by typhoon Chata’an, the Department of Lands and Natural Resources said there was a massive fishkill on the waters off the Smiling Cove Marina on Saipan. DLNR Secretary Tom Pangelinan disclosed this, adding that the fishkill may have been caused by pollution of the waters. Pangelinan said the department and the Division of Environmental Quality are conducting an assessment of the extent of the fishkill and its cause. “A lot of dead fish and crabs are surfacing. The marina is polluted,” Pangelinan said. “Our biologist at Fish and Wildlife is now doing a study, assessing the damages and also what causes [the fishkill].”

Use of PCB-treated soil to cover dump OK’d

The Division of Environmental Quality permitted the Department of Public Works to use PCB-treated soil as daily cover for the Puerto Rico dumpsite. This was learned from Michelle Rogow, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s on-scene coordinator detailed at the PCB treatment site in Tanapag. Earlier, the DEQ sought the assistance of the EPA, regarding the plan to use the treated soil to cover the decades-old dumpsite. It was Rogow who penned the opinion of the agency on the plan, stating that treated soil would be suitable for daily cover for the dump. The Saipan Tribune tried to reach the DEQ office yesterday afternoon but its public information officer, Rebecca Snider, was not immediately available for further information.