FLASHBACK – July 6, 2012

July 6, 1999

WPEC opposes any takeover proposal

Business leaders have expressed opposition against compromising the Covenant provisions to allow the federal government to control local immigration, minimum wage and customs standards on the heels of several legislation under consideration by the U.S. Congress. The Western Pacific Economic Council (WPEC) has issued its position on the federal takeover proposals awaiting actions in both houses of the Congress, noting the relentless attacks and accusations against the Northern Marianas in recent months. “WPEC cautions against any deviation from the position that the CNMI Covenant should be protected at all costs,” the group said in a statement. “WPEC cautions against any change in position where total local control of immigration and minimum wage should be protected.”

LSG to invest $250K for a kiosk

How would you like to sit and talk with your friends or relatives who are about to leave Saipan for a few more minutes as they wait for their flight? Well, the Commonwealth Ports Authority is finalizing the construction of a kiosk at Saipan International Airport which will allow well-wishers to have a burger, BBQ plate lunches, pizza or may be just have a cup of coffee. Before the end of the year, LSG Lufthansa will operate the snack bar which will be located right next to the ATM machine.

July 6, 2000

Court orders DOC to provide facility for mentally-ill inmates

Superior Court Associate Judge Timothy H. Bellas has ordered the CNMI government to certify on or before July 12, 2000 that the corrections facility where murder suspect Dwayne M. Sibetang is currently being detained conforms with the requirements of the Patient’s Rights Act and the Criminal Commitment Act. Both the PRA and the CCA require that Mr. Sibetang receive prompt and adequate treatment by qualified mental health professionals. Since Mr. Sibetang is detained at the Division of Corrections, it is the responsibility of the custodial officials to ensure that such services are provided for detainees like him. At the same time, the CNMI government should certify that the Commonwealth Health Center’s treatment facility where he is receiving treatment is sufficiently staffed with qualified mental health professionals.

CUC to carry out reforms

The board of the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation is reviewing recommendations that will reform its operations and policies which officials hope will improve its services to the community. Board Chair Jesus T. Guerrero said that while CUC has focused on the Saipan power project, other issues and concerns continue to draw much-needed attention. “The board has spent a good deal of its time reviewing operations policies and practices, completing draft internal guidelines for the expenditure of official representation accounts, clarifying utility extension policies, which will now undergo internal review before final publication,” he told a recent meeting.

July 6, 2001

Landfill bidding may reach court

Lawyers of losing joint venture bidder Western Equipment, Inc. and DRC Pacific, Inc. said they will exhaust all legal remedies to get the multi-million dollar contract for the construction of the Marpi Solid Waste Facility, even it means going to court. “We’ll pursue all our legal remedies. At the moment, we’re waiting for their response,” said Bruce Mailman, one of the legal counsels for WEI-DRC. Mailman said the government “can’t just sweep” the bidding process that will eventually turn out to be a “mockery of the regulation” if the contract is eventually awarded to the joint venture of Dick Pacific Corporation and Pacific Drilling Ltd.

US panel: Drop 50-50 funding requirements

A key panel of the US Congress recently approved its version of the 2002 Interior Appropriations Bill which, among others, questioned the compact impact provision that requires the Commonwealth to match federal funding dollar-for-dollar. The US Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee contained a provision questioning the local match mandate for the compact impact agreement and asking the Secretary of Interior to reconsider amending the agreement. “This is the second time within a month that [the US] Congress has gone on record to urge reconsideration of the local match requirement. This is very important for the CNMI,” according to House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial.