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LibDay committee now accepting carnival rides concessions
The 2016 CNMI Liberation Day committee is now accepting proposals from those who want to set up and operate carnival rides in the upcoming festival that is set to open on June 10. The committee said anyone or even a company could come in and manage the rides this year.
Guam’s Scott Thompson along with Tony Glad had been operating the carnival rides in the previous Liberation Day celebrations. Thompson was again trying to provide the rides for this year but the committee chose to reject his offer.
The committee, at first, also chose to scrap the carnival rides since they don’t want Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang to be held legally liable in case something bad happens to any person using the rides.
“The one major issue is liability. The committee also represents the mayor that’s why we don’t want the mayor to have any legal problems or suffer litigation,” said committee chair Chris D. Leon Guerrero.
Committee member Henry Hofschneider, who is also Apatang’s special assistant, suggested to open the concession of operating the carnival rides to anyone since this is what Guam does. “They [Guam] leave it open to anyone. Anybody can come in and operate it.”
The consensus of the committee is to reject the contract being proposed by Thompson and open the operation of the rides to anybody. The committee decided to follow what Guam has been doing and let anybody or a company come in as a regular vendor to operate the carnival rides.
The carnival ride operator, however, would be held liable in case of any untoward incident.
Apatang said the carnival ride operator would be similar to other concessions where they get the proceeds 100 percent. “Anyone interested in providing rides can now submit their intention or proposal.”
Gregorio Sablan Jr., who along with Gordon Marciano attended yesterday’s meeting at the Saipan Mayor’s Office conference room, said a 75-percent tax is imposed in any equipment and other parts that would come in the CNMI.
The committee set a deadline of April 30 for anyone who wanted to submit a proposal of setting up and operating the carnival rides. June 10 is the opening of the Liberation Day carnival at the Garapan Fishing Base.
