Why fix something that isn’t broken?

I’m a very quiet, personal person at heart and I try to keep my mouth from running because it sometimes gets me into trouble. I believe this may be one of those times, but I don’t give a hoot. What I would like to know is, “Why is DPL trying to fix Mariana Resort?” Dude, it’s not broken; why fix it? Why are you telling them to put a bid in? It’s not as if it’s their first time here on Saipan looking for a location! You should have this resort’s back, because they have been here the longest and they do support the people of Saipan with jobs. This is one of the resorts that employ a majority of the local people, seriously. This is one of the best—the best!—resort here on Saipan!

Dude, Mariana Resort has been here through thick and thin (Don’t you see or get it? Or is there a blindfold covering your eyes?). During the time we had a recession, they were still afloat. They still catered to everyone on the island. They did not back out, like some other hotels that are no longer around (don’t know the real reasons they closed but they did so anyway). Where did the employees go? Some of them did not have jobs right away and some were lucky.

Dude, people have fond memories of this resort like me. Also, the Japanese couple who spoke on behalf of the resort. This place has a special part in their hearts. They started off as a couple, moved on and brought their children, grandchildren, and even friends of their grandchildren here. Memories—that’s what this resort is all about. I mean, come on, a lot of us can go to PIC or World Resort and have fun in the pool, but where can you say, “I’ve been down to the beach area and it was so peaceful and quiet.” The other hotels or resorts don’t have place that you can go to and just enjoy the peace and quiet of the beach.

Mariana Resort keeps the tranquility of the beach area as the way it should be. If another company comes in—bam!—damage to the beach, noise at the beach. And their goes the nesting area for the green sea turtles at Wing Beach. Yup, once you give another company that chance, there goes the beach and then you will hear my voice asking for Fish and Wildlife to fine them for what they may do! Mariana Resort has not touched that area for anything that may deal with the resort. But the new one will and, who knows, you may give it to them because of what they can give you. What’s that saying that sucks…“it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” It should say like this now: “It’s not who you know, but what can you give me.”

Dude, we had Plumeria Resort, Palms Hotel, and La Fiesta that were abandoned by the owners and the government for quite a while. Why pick on a place that is thriving? Why? Why? Why? Did the owner of the resort turn you down for something that you requested and now you decided this is the best way for you to get back at them? Petty, petty, petty. Only kids do that. (If I’m wrong, tell me and tell me that I don’t know what I’m saying.) I’m still trying to understand why are you trying to close something that is working and not losing money. Hey, if money is the thing here, Mariana Resort is still doing fine! Telling them that you have this policy? What policy and since when did you have it in place? I’d like to know and see it. Put it up on paper for all to see this policy. Really, put the policy in the paper so that all the people of Saipan can see and understand what you are trying to do to an icon that has been here for a long time. Did you tell them that after they signed their lease? Did you keep it from them and let them think that they can keep the place until they want to leave? To me, it looks like you are chasing away something that is still great and still going strong, from our island. Shame, shame, shame, shame! To me, you don’t know how to keep businesses that are good for us, you are showing us that you only want $$$$$$! You don’t care about us, you care about yourself.

Here is a suggestion from a lowly citizen that the government does not care about…oh wait, they only care about the citizens when it’s election time (hurts, doesn’t it?): Utilize all the buildings that are abandoned. La Fiesta can be utilized again as a mall or, better yet, use it for the casino. Why does a casino have to always be in a hotel?

Judith Castro
As Matuis, Saipan