Hofschneider-Yumul camp question Inos’ debate snub

The Hofschneider-Yumul campaign feels disappointment together with the people of the CNMI in light of Gov. Eloy S. Inos’ non-participation in a debate/forum. The committee-to-elect and the public-at-large have been anxious to have this debate as many undecided voters have expressed interest in listening to both men’s plans for the future.

“Now that it has come down to a man-to-man competition, it is absolutely crucial for the people of the CNMI to hear from the two gubernatorial candidates,” said gubernatorial candidate Heinz Hofschneider. “The governor’s denying the people hear from him—undecided voters, especially—speaks volumes to his administration’s lack of transparency.”

“This surely shows weakness in the current administration,” Hofschneider said. “A weakness, first, in being so withholding from the people. It raises questions on the governor’s physical weakness, not being able to publicly state his health conditions to an electorate that doesn’t consist of merely his supporters.”

“There’s also a weakness in his ability to defend himself,” Hofscheider added. “Gov. Inos has said that he’d let the last 20 months of their administration speak on their behalf. The last 20 months do not call into question the governor’s various roles and decision-making in the Fitial administration. They don’t take into account the hard work and good that Lt. Gov. Jude Hofschneider has done for the CNMI while in the capacity of acting governor.”

“There is weakness to be questioned in his ability to be an adequate financial manager for the CNMI,” Hofschneider said, referring to the governor’s time as Secretary of Finance under Fitial. “This leaves a lot to be questioned when the governor has allowed $23 million to go unpaid to CUC and his failure to remit $200 million to our Retirement Fund. There is also the issue of his hiding the truth that the Settlement Agreement will only last four years.”

Hofschneider was eager to engage the governor on the logic behind the 40-year tax exemption for the casino. “First, the administration kept the people out of the decision-making of this whole casino project, now they won’t be here to answer the people’s questions on where protection is for the financial security for this and future generations.”

“We can only give so much sympathy for a man who is seeking the highest office in the Commonwealth,” Hofschneider said. “He is a public figure which demands full, constant engagement in multiple, complex issues.”

“They’ve hidden the truth of the governor’s health and perhaps Ralph Torres’ inexperience or questionable ability to be a real leader,” Hofschneider said. “This comes as no surprise as the governor has spent the last nine years hiding the financial mismanagements and lack of vision in policy making that has constantly brought us to federal court in such cases as with the Retirement Fund and CUC’s stipulated orders. This has led to federal court-driven solutions.” (PR)