Flashback – May 2006 – May 2008

May 20, 2006

2 schools get funding for more classrooms

Over $250,000 in funds earlier appropriated for a new Northern Islands school has been transferred to the construction of additional classrooms in two Saipan schools. House Bill 15-88, which became Public Law 15-9, re-appropriated $259,712 so additional classrooms could be built in the Garapan and Oleai elementary schools. “[D]ue to volcanic eruptions at the Northern Islands, the building of a school is not recommendable at this time due to safety reasons and that certain classroom buildings at Garapan and Oleai elementary schools need major renovations as soon as possible,” states the new law. “The Legislature recognizes the urgency of this measure and considers this a priority due to the unsafe conditions of classroom buildings and the drastic increase in student population that requires for additional classrooms in the near future,” it adds.

197 students to graduate from NMC today

At least 197 diplomas, certificates and degrees will be handed over to this year’s graduating students of the Northern Marianas College this afternoon when they walk for college’s 26th Commencement Exercises. A grand total of 197 students from NMC Saipan, Tinian, and Rota will graduate this year, including Adult Basic Education’s diploma students, 18 for General Educational Development, and 20 from Adult School. Thomas Mark Erickson from Tinian and Mei Cheng Reedstrom from Saipan will lead this year’s commencement exercises. NMC will award two students with Leadership Award certificates, to be announced during the graduation cer

May 20, 2007

Fitch: Seaport revenue rating outlook negative

Fitch has expanded its negative rating on the Commonwealth Ports Authority’s outstanding debt to cover not just the airport division but also the seaport division. From a stable outlook, the seaport revenue bond rating has been revised to negative, based on the latest assessment by Fitch. In a statement released yesterday, Fitch also downgraded the seaport’s rating for its $37.1 million outstanding debt to negative ‘BBB.’ The debt involves the 1998 and 2005 senior series seaport revenue bonds, which were secured by a gross pledge of seaport revenues.

Turning cancer scars into stars

The annual Marianas March Against Cancer once again proved to be another empowering event, gathering all cancer survivors for a night that highlighted the fight against the disease and the pursuit to raise cancer awareness. This year’s ceremony mustered the highest attendance of cancer survivors in the CNMI. MMAC overall committee chair Celia Mercado said the event signed up 66 cancer survivors, with 48 of them showing up for the evening ceremony. “This is the highest so far in our MMAC history,” she said.

May 20, 2008

3 more bush fires hit Saipan

Three bush fires broke out at separate areas in As Matuis yesterday, sweeping down three to four acres of grassland. No one was reported injured. No house or structure was affected, according to Department of Public Safety spokesperson Lei Ogumoro. Police officers also responded to the area and maintained the traffic flow along the highway near the former La Fiesta Mall yesterday afternoon as thick smoke caused zero visibility. Commonwealth Utilities Corp. crew members were also dispatched to the area as a couple of power poles were damaged.

Candidates for NMI delegate must follow federal campaign regs

Federal regulations will apply to political contributions made to candidates in the upcoming election for the CNMI’s first delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives. Under U.S. election law, certain people, businesses, and groups are banned from making contributions to federal candidates or political committees. These include foreign nationals (excluding “green card” holders), federal contractors, corporations, and labor unions. Cash, in any amount over $100, is prohibited. Contributions in the name of another person are not permitted. For this election, an individual can only contribute up to $2,300 to a federal candidate such as the CNMI delegate.