Saipan Tribune

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Thursday, September 06, 2012

FLASHBACK - Sept. 6, 2012

Sept. 6, 2000

DPS cautions House against easing of gun control

Public Safety Commissioner Charles W. Ingram Jr. has recommended the inclusion of strict provisions in the proposed legislation that seeks to relax the use of handguns in the Northern Marianas. Sponsored by House Floor Leader Oscar M. Babauta, HB 12-212, which will amend the existing Weapons Control Act, hopes to lure resort developments offering shooting practice and target ranges. The House Committee on Commerce and Tourism said this is an incentive to attract major developers of so-called "shooting resorts" that will provide to tourists non-traditional activities such as target ranges for rifle competition and skeet shooting with shotguns.

CNMI to push for changes in MOU with feds

The CNMI government expects to continue its partnership agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor's Hour and Wage division, but it will press for changes to some of the terms, according to Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio. Labor and Immigration Secretary Mark Zachares and Herbert Soll flew last Sunday to San Francisco to negotiate with federal labor officials on possible renewal of a memorandum of understanding in regards to handling labor cases in the Commonwealth. "The MOU will be renewed. . . We have to amend some of the sections there," the governor told reporters yesterday when asked if he had any instruction to the two Cabinet officials.

Sept. 6, 2001

Report documents absence of enough local labor in NMI

Most industries in the Northern Marianas will continue to depend on nonresident labor due to the absence of adequate indigenous workers. An economic report released by the Bank of Hawaii disclosed that only 28 percent of Saipan's 54,541 population, or those 16 years and older, are U.S. citizens. Documenting the CNMI's continued reliance on foreign labor, the same report showed that about 22.6 percent of 46,183 people who are employed and actively seeking work are U.S. citizens. It added that 20.7 percent of 46,183 payroll workers on the islands are permanent residents, while all the rest are temporary foreign workers.

OSHA: Factories complying with federal safety standards

The US Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration yesterday said the inspections conducted on 22 garment factories on Saipan revealed that these firms comply with the existing federal safety standards for workers. The findings were echoed by Frank Strasheim, OSHA's Region IX director, who arrived on the island this week as part of the agency's thrust in enforcing safe working standards in different industries. "We found virtually no problems," said Strasheim. "Things have improved tremendously." Tan Holdings Corporation, which operates one of the biggest apparel factories on Saipan, was commended by the OSHA official. "I'm very impressed," Strasheim said. "Tan Holdings is doing quite well."

Sept. 6, 2002

Airport facility gets $1M more

The Federal Aviation Administration released another $1 million to the Commonwealth Ports Authority as additional funding assistance for the completion of its Aircraft Rescue Firefighting division. According to CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas, the new round of funding assistance brought FAA's total financial aid for the ARFF training facility to $5 million. The ARFF training facility, geared to be the aviation and rescue training facility in the Pacific Region, is anticipated to start construction anytime soon, Salas added. He said the $1 million additional fund will go a long way since additional structures would be constructed at the ARFF facility to accommodate participants from the Pacific region.

Military surplus gets a second chance

Once a militaryman, always a militaryman. Beyond the military barracks, however, Charles Ingram, the former Department of Public Safety commissioner on Saipan, is also the entrepreneur who established the Military Surplus shop on the island. Ingram opened the shop at its former location in San Jose, soon after arriving on Saipan four years ago following his appointment to the top police post. Military Surplus sells military equipment such as combat boots, ammo pouch, holsters, rucksacks (combat backpacks), tents, raincoats and BDUs (battle dress uniforms), among others.