Saipan Tribune

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Friday, October 19, 2012

Flashback - Oct. 1999-Oct. 2001

Oct. 19, 1999

Reject legislative initiative-Faisao

A legislator yesterday urged voters not to support a legislative initiative seeking to amend the CNMI Constitution to create separate finance offices for each branch of the government, saying the proposal will add another layer to bureaucracy that will burden taxpayers. Rep. Melvin Faisao had opposed the initiative when it was tackled by the House of Representatives early this year, but it got enough votes from members to be included in the balloting for the Nov. 6 midterm elections. Senate Legislative Initiative 11-4 aims to change a constitutional provision to create a respective finance office within the Legislative Bureau as well as the Judicial Branch to control and regulate the expenditures of public funds appropriated to each branch.

CNMI youths to attend Young People's Congress in Hawaii

An international youth Congress focusing on global sustainability, human rights, and peace will bring together young people from all over the world in Honolulu, Hawaii on Thursday, Oct. 21. Nearly 1,000 young people from more than 100 countries, including the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, are to attend a five-day conference to assess Agenda 21 issues and set new priorities and targets for the new millennium. There will also be activities days before and after the conference. The process of selecting representatives to attend the Congress included appointment of national coordinators from each country. National consultation meetings were then held to agree on priorities and to elect two representatives (under age 18) to carry these priorities to Hawaii.

Oct. 19, 2000

Teno intervenes in DEQ, AGO feud

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has taken steps to patch up differences between Assistant Attorney General Murphy Peterson and the Division of Environmental Quality that erupted over handling of the issues surrounding the polychlorinated biphenyl contamination in Tanapag. He said he wants the disputes resolved in order not to jeopardize the CNMI government's efforts to address the health and safety concerns of the community. “I firmly believe that all the agencies should work together and see what we can do to resolve this issue,” Mr. Tenorio said in an interview yesterday. “My major concern is that I want to make sure that the health and safety of our community and other areas are protected,” he added.

Govt asked to locate funds to build Center for Women

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has been asked to facilitate efforts to identify funding that would pave the way for the construction of the proposed center for women, a project that was conceived several years back. Rep. William S. Torres said the proposed center, which was brought up in 1995 during the leadership of former Gov. Froilan C. Tenorio, will house the Women's Affairs Office, a resource facility, a cafeteria and a day care center. The center was envisioned to be a place where women in the CNMI would find not only solace but the inspiration to achieve economic well-being and empowerment and productive networking, said Mr. Torres.

Oct. 19, 2001

EPA OK's proposed PCB remedy

The US Environmental Protection Agency has approved, on a conditional basis, the US Army Corps of Engineers' proposed treatment of PCB-laced soil in Tanapag. The Army Corps has suggested the on-site treatment of PCB-contaminated soil by means of Indirect Thermal Desorption, and that the contaminated residuals be disposed off-island afterwards. EPA made the announcement Wednesday, after reviewing the Army Corps' recommendations based on a report compiled from the 30-day public commentary period back in July.

Fitial eyes better retirement program

As he had announced in the gubernatorial debate last October 1, House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial is pursuing plans for the establishment of an alternative retirement program that provides for a more equitable pension system and greater social security while helping increase real income for participants. “We're looking at various models, including the 401K program. But, of course, like other programs, this will entail more in-depth studies to see which system would best suit us here in the Northern Marianas,” said Fitial. The Speaker said he is exploring a new system due to the perceived inequity under the current two-class system administered by the Northern Mariana Islands Retirement Fund.