Saipan Tribune

Friday, May 24, 2013

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Flashback - Feb. 2004-Feb. 2006

Feb. 20, 2004

USDA: Kagman project to benefit all

Although some traffic inconveniences will continue in the near future, the completion of the Kagman Watershed Project will benefit Kagman residents and farmers, as well as the rest of the island, assured Scott Crockett, District Conservationist for the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service in Saipan. To date, nearly $4.4 million in federal funds have been spent on project design and construction activities, compared to just over $817,000 in local funds. The project, once fully completed, will have estimated annual benefits of $180,000 of flood prevention and $500,000 of irrigation water supply. Other benefits will include an enhanced farm economy, wildlife habitat protection, reduced pressure on the aquifer, a healthier coral reef and a cleaner marine environment.

SGMA works with oversight board on subcontractors

All subcontracting companies that perform work for any member of the Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association, as listed in the U.S. District Court settlement agreement, shall be monitored just as any factory on Saipan. SGMA provided a listing of all subcontracting entities performing embroidery, printing, laundering and finishing work for any SGMA member to the Garment Oversight Board's chairman Timothy Bellas. The SGMA Compliance Committee's members and the SGMA executive director began inspections of the firms that provide services to its membership, but often are overlooked when it comes to wage payments, safety and health conditions and other employee rights concerns.

Feb. 20, 2005

'Stateless' lawyer: We should have won it in district court

From the beginning, lawyer Reynaldo O. Yana said he knew that the “stateless” persons' case would prevail. In fact, he said the case should have been won much earlier in the U.S. District Court. “We should have even won at the district court. I don't know why we lost at the district court when the law is very, very clear,” said Yana in an interview Friday. District Court judge Alex Munson had denied the petition of 28 stateless persons for U.S. citizenship. Two of the 28 petitioners-Jacinto Sabangan and Esther Sheon-appealed the decision at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Okawa retires after 31 years of PSS service

The 8th Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council has adopted a resolution commending Antonia Aguon Camacho Okawa for her exemplary contribution to the Public School System at William S. Reyes Elementary School. Okawa retired after 31 years of active duty at the school. Okawa is the daughter of Rafael Daiz and Mrs. Tomasa Aguon Camacho (both deceased). She is married to Ryo Okawa of Aomari, Japan, and they have three children: Chamie, Lanelle and Ray. Okawa graduated from Hopwood Junior-Senior High School on June 7, 1968. She received her associated degree in elementary education at the Northern Marianas College and a bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Guam.

Feb. 20, 2006

CEC commissioners can make pol contributions

Members of the Commonwealth Election Commission will be allowed to give, but they cannot receive from any political candidate or party if an election reform bill is signed into law. House Bill 15-149, or the proposed Commonwealth Election Reform Act of 2006, excludes any restriction on campaign contributions by election commissioners. However, it carries strict prohibition on commissioners receiving anything of value from campaigns. According to the bill, a commissioner could be removed from office if he or she is found to have received anything of value from a nominee, a candidate or candidate's committee, or a political party.

GOP bans alcohol in party's political activities

Having lost the last gubernatorial race, the local GOP is poised to enter this year's midterm election with a new strategy, and it hopes, a more sober image. In addition to introducing a new village-centric approach to campaigning, the NMI Republican Party's board of directors has adopted a no-alcohol policy in party activities. GOP president Tom Pangelinan said no alcoholic beverages will be served at any political activities of the Republican Party. “This is to pronounce that we are the people's choice. We came to the conclusion that during campaign activities, a lot of kids, women, and other people are listening. It creates a bad image for the party when we have some members drinking alcohol around them,” Pangelinan said.