Saipan Tribune

Thursday, June 20, 2013

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FLASHBACK - Oct. 26, 2012

Oct. 26, 2000

CPA checks if it can halt increase in airport charges

The Commonwealth Ports Authority is now making a thorough review of its financial capabilities in line with the scheduled adjustment of airport charges toward the end of October, according to Board Chair Roman S. Palacios. Mr. Palacios said the Board of Directors and the management are looking at the ports authority's financial situation to determine whether the agency can still continue holding the new airport charges that are up for implementation beginning next month. "We would like to move very cautiously. Everything, from our level of revenues to our expenditures and bond payment, is currently being looked at to give us a clearer picture what we can do to accommodate the carriers' request," he said.

Supreme Court warns Mitchell anew

The Supreme Court yesterday ordered lawyers Jeanne Rayphand and Theodore R. Mitchell or anyone acting on their behalf to stop filing or serving deposition notice without first seeking permission from the court. In an order written by Supreme Court Associate Justice Alexandro C. Castro, the high court quashed the notice of deposition on oral examination of Lt. Gov. Jesus R. Sablan and his wife Annie, Chief Justice Miguel S. Demapan and his wife Frances, and Soledad T. Tenorio for lack of legal basis. "The court will not allow Rayphand or Mitchell to subject a non-party to unnecessary time and expense," Justice Castro said. Ms. Rayphand is the counsel for suspended lawyer Mitchell.

Oct. 26, 2001

PSS explores budget options

The Public School System yesterday assessed its financial capability to stay afloat in the new fiscal year, exploring three separate budget plans that try to picture the worst-case budget scenarios. The Board of Education Fiscal and Personnel Committee yesterday listened to the PSS Fiscal and Budget Office’s presentation on several budget options, in the event that it retains its current $37.2 million funding level or experience budget reductions If the PSS continues to tread on the current $37.2 million continuing resolution, the agency expects to sufficiently support its operations, similar to FY 2001.

Teno okays 3 funding measures

Three local appropriation bills for Saipan and the Northern Islands amounting to a total of $707,460 successfully made it through the legislative mill, after Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio signed the measures yesterday. Tenorio informed legislative leaders in a transmittal letter that he has signed into law House Local Bills 12-42, 12-41 and 12-39, which would now be referred to as Saipan Local Laws 12-20, 12-21 and 12-22, respectively. Saipan Local Law 12-20 aims to set aside $310,000 on the fees collected from poker machines to fund various projects on Saipan. Part of the money-$100,000-will go to the Office of the Mayor of Saipan for the purchase of parts, fuel, radios and for the repairs and maintenance of heavy equipment, which were not specified.

Oct. 26, 2002

’MPLA is no lending agency’

The Marianas Public Lands Authority does not have the money to lend to the Executive Branch because it is operating on a limited budget. This, as MPLA Deputy Commissioner Henry Hofschneider emphasized that the “MPLA is not a lending agency.” “We’re not in a business of lending money,” Hofschneider said when asked about the possible assistance the MPLA may extend to the administration following a projected severe budget shortfall in the last quarter of the year. MPLA officials were among those invited by Gov. Juan N. Babauta to attend Thursday’s cabinet meeting. The Governor said autonomous agencies like the MPLA were invited “to know their financial standings.”

Dialysis center expansion underway

Finally, the long-awaited expansion of the hemodialysis center at the Commonwealth Health Center can now go full swing after the Department of Public Works gave the green light for the contractor to proceed with the $6 million project. Public Health Secretary James U. Hofschneider, together with Special Assistant for CIP Management Charles Jordan, made the announcement to reporters yesterday. Hofschneider said the project’s contractor is AIC Marianas Incorporated, while the construction management contract has been awarded to SSFM, whose principal is John Gentry and whose fee is about $250,000.