FLASHBACK – Mar. 26, 2012

Mar. 26, 2001

Inos vows serious education reforms

After weeks of deep soul-searching, Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos landed on a decision that supporters believe would change the face of accessible education in the Commonwealth. Announcing her bid to join the race as deputy to gubernatorial hopeful Speaker Benigno R. Fitial, the incumbent Public School System administrator officially pledged her support to the Covenant Party, upholding the education agenda as one of the forefront in the party’s campaign. “One thing that made me really think about Speaker Fitial’s request is when he said that he regards education as a critical element in the Commonwealth’s growth, along with economic development as his main concern and concentration. He never disregarded education as any lesser in the platform. I feel very proud and honored to join the team,” said Dr. Inos.

Dynasty asks Continental to fly Saipan-Taipei route

Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino is tapping the assistance of Continental Micronesia to serve the Saipan-Taipei route temporarily abandoned by Mandarin Airlines. From the time its charter agreement with Mandarin Air expired late last year, Tinian Dynasty has been asking Continental to ferry Taiwanese visitors to the Northern Marianas. Hotel General Manager Tom Liu said Tinian Dynasty management has been negotiating with Continental since the beginning of the month, in fresh efforts to entice the carrier to fly CNMI-bound tourists from Taiwan.

Mar. 26, 2002

BOR evaluates Sablan

Board of Regents Chair Fermin Atalig pledged the entire BOR’s involvement in the performance evaluation of Northern Marianas College president Joaquin Sablan, whose contract is expiring in the month’s end. “Like PSS, it’s that time of the year when we are evaluating the president and we are involving the whole board, not just one or two,” disclosed Atalig in an interview over the weekend. The BOR chief added that every regent’s input in the evaluation is necessary to ensure fairness in the process.

Bill boosting enforcement divisions goes to Senate

A bill that would exempt the enforcement units of three government agencies from the restrictions on the use of government cars is now on its way to the Senate after it passed the House of Representatives on Thursday last week. House Bill 13-29, authored by Vice Speaker Manuel A. Tenorio, sailed through the lower chamber on first and final reading. It essentially allows the enforcement divisions of the Division of Labor and Immigration, the Division of Alcohol, Beverage and Tobacco Control, and the Office of the Public Auditor to use unmarked vehicles with tinted windows in carrying out investigations.

Mar. 26, 2003

$500K federal grant identified for private schools

The Public School System has identified some $500,000 in federal grants to be allocated to some private schools, following negotiations with authorities. According to PSS federal program officer William P. Matson, the amount is part of the $2.6 million Consolidated funds under Title 6. He said the fund would be removed from Title 6 to Title 5, which allows for private school participation. Public schools would use Title 5 funds amounting to $2.1 million for a single activity-class-size reduction-while private schools will get some $500,000 “for allocation according to the number of 5-17 year old students of their students.”

House panel readies to move on with privatization bill for GHLI

The House Committee on Health and Welfare is rushing to dispose of the government health insurance privatization bill, mindful of the March 31 deadline imposed on the NMI Retirement Fund for the payment of outstanding medical referral bills owed to the Hawaii Pacific Medical Referrals. Chairman Benjamin Seman said a draft of the committee substitute to the original privatization legislation–or House Bill 13-243–has already been completed. “We need to address this by the March 31 deadline. We will try and submit a committee report so that the Governor will have an idea on what the status of the insurance would be before he makes a decision whether or not to respond to the HMPR’s request for an additional $1 million before the end of the month,” Seman explained to reporters yesterday.