Flashback – September 13, 1999-2001

Sept. 13, 1999

DPL board clears way for Tinian airport expansion

The Division of Public Lands has approved a conditional conveyance of certain U.S. military land to the Commonwealth Ports Authority for the planned expansion of West Tinian Airport. According to CPA, more than 5.2 million square meters of land to given to CPA will include areas on which the existing West Tinian Airport terminal and runway are now situated and the additional land needed for the new runway project. The ports authority had requested from DPL the conveyance of land as it anticipates the return of a certain parcel of land to the CNMI for the U.S. military. In return, CPA has agreed to grant the use of the airport and landing rights to the U.S. military.

Paradise hotel works fast to comply with DEQ

The Division of Environmental Quality has rescinded a Notice of Violation earlier issued to Paradise Hotel after management immediately addressed an environmental problem in the establishment. “We are happy to report that Paradise Hotel was genuinely concerned about the safety of their guests and employees. They identified and corrected the problem,” said DEQ Director Ignacio V. Cabrera. The Garapan establishment was cited by DEQ two weeks ago for violating the CNMI’s Safe Drinking Water Standards for Microbiological Contaminants. After being served a Notice of Violation, the hotel moved quickly to identify the problem. The company then proceeded to remedy the situation by following a plan reviewed by DEQ.

Sept. 13, 2000

CPA courts Aloha Airlines to serve CNMI

The Commonwealth Ports Authority is not giving up efforts at courting other airline companies to provide air transport services to the Northern Marianas, in attempts to revive the islands’ distressed travel industry. CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas last month met with officials of the Honolulu-based Aloha Airlines for a discussion on the company’s possible deployment of flights between Saipan and major cities in Asia. Some of the markets offered by the ports authority to Aloha Airlines include cities in Japan as well as charter flights for the Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino and air transport services between the three major islands in the CNMI.

BOE asks Senate to revisit education act

The State Board of Education has prodded the Senate to review the board’s input on a legislation that seeks to overhaul the public education sector. In a letter to Senate President Paul Manglona, BOE members and the Public School System raised concerns that the House Committee on Education cleared the initiative without accepting suggestions made by BOE and PSS. This, after the House Committee on Education earlier solicited the public education sector’s comments to the proposed changes under the education act. BOE Chair Frances H. Diaz and Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos have expressed opposition to a provision designating the Department of Public Works as overseer of construction and major renovation work at public and school facilities.

Sept. 13, 2001

Fractured NMI families linked to suicide cases

The increasing number of suicide incidents in the Northern Marianas is brought about by fractured families, societies and culture, which pressure the youth to take responsibilities that are a lot bigger than them. In a pastoral letter issued yesterday by the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, Bishop Tomas A. Camacho noted that the local community sees an alarming trend in suicide cases involving youths because their families failed to give them spiritual guidance. “If we do not hear the call to examine this problem in depth and in prayer, we can expect more to come. There are no easy solutions since the causes are spiritual, psychological, societal, and cultural. No individual or group can carry the burden alone,” said Bishop Camacho.

Internet slow after terror attacks

Internet traffic slowed and major news Web sites were jammed Tuesday as people craving details on the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks flooded online. In contrast, electronic mail was a godsend for many people frustrated by clogged telephone voice circuits. The Internet search engine Google directed news seekers to radio and television. “Many online news services are not available, because of extremely high demand,” a statement read on the popular site’s home page. Television broadcasts did not appear to promote their Web sites as heavily as they normally do during breaking news.