Heinz accepts invite to Chamber forum

Former speaker and independent gubernatorial candidate, Heinz S. Hofschneider, has already accepted the invitation to take part in the Saipan Chamber of Commerce gubernatorial forum next week.

This was confirmed yesterday by Chamber executive director Jill M. Arenovski and on Wednesday by committee-to-elect Heinz S. Hofschneider and Ray N. Yumul chair David Attao.

“The forum would allow our candidates the chance to reach out to those they couldn’t get to and explain to them how life and standards of living could be better for everyone if their plans are properly executed. We invite the community to ask questions via the format provided by the Chamber and welcome all to join us,” Attao told Saipan Tribune.

He added that Hofschneider and Yumul are prepared to chart a different course for the CNMI—one that will put the people first.

“Our candidates have been passionate energetic and ready to lead the CNMI for many years. Their goal has always been to protect our people, our islands, our cultures, and future by instilling good governance practices,” Attao said.

Arenovski, for her part, said it was Attao himself who called the Chamber and asked if the organization is indeed organizing a gubernatorial forum. Needless to say, she said the Hofschneider and Yumul confirmed their participation in the event.

With regards to the campaign of incumbent Gov. Eloy S. Inos and his running mate, Senate President Ralph DLG. Torres, Arenovski said the Chamber hasn’t heard anything from the NMI Republican bets as of Thursday afternoon.

“No confirmation yet from the Inos camp and we’re still waiting to hear from them.”

Local GOP media & public relations chair Ivan A. Blanco said while Inos is eager and willing to take part in the debate, his participation will entirely depend on the governor himself and how his health is coming along. The governor has been confined at the public hospital since last week, reportedly for cough and flu.

If the gubernatorial forum does happen with the confirmation of both runoff bets—Inos and Hofschneider—Arenovski said the Chamber has already reserved the Marianas High School Gymnasium next Wednesday.

The Gubernatorial Forum starts at 6pm with the gates closed at 6:30pm.

Like the previous Senatorial Forum, the runoff forum will have the moderator pick five random questions from a set of questions submitted days before the event.

Each gubernatorial candidate will then be given 3 minutes to give his 2 cents worth on the issue and another minute for rebuttal if needed.

For those who will be missing out on the gubernatorial forum redux, the Chamber said that Flametree TV will be videotaping the proceeding and will air it afterward.

Proceeds from the senatorial and gubernatorial forums will benefit the Chamber’s Scholarship Fund and the other Chamber programs that benefit local businesses and the general public.

Inos and Torres topped the election for governor last Nov. 4 with 6,342 votes, while Hofschneider and Yumul finished second with 4,501 votes.

Since Inos/Torres didn’t attain more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff will take place 14 days after the Nov. 7 certification votes. The runoff is set for Nov. 21.