Flashback – Nov. 30, 1999-2001

Ex-Tinian mayor, 3 others indicted[/B]

Former Tinian Mayor James Masga Mendiola and three others have been indicted by a grand jury for four counts of federal criminal violations in connection with cattle rustling on Tinian.

Mr. Mendiola, 50, surrendered to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Nov. 19, 1999 and was arraigned in the U.S. District Court. He pled not guilty to charges of conspiracy to conceal and dispose stolen property.

The former mayor and congressman of the island municipality, who is eyeing a political comeback in the Tinian special elections to be held next year following the resignation of Sen. Herman Manglona, was released on bail. Mr. Manglona, also a former mayor, quit the Senate post after pleading guilty to charges of bribe-taking, mail fraud and jury tampering.

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio said yesterday he hopes to meet with various airline officials during his trip to Japan this week as part of the CNMI delegation to the country’s biggest tourism and travel fair.

His main mission, however, is to talk with travel agents in Tokyo to encourage Japanese tourists to visit the Northern Marianas. The market is the largest source of visitors to the island, making up about 80 percent of total arrivals last year.

Feds OK home loan for Saipan[/B]

The United States government is extending the implementation of another public housing program in the Northern Marianas to increase home ownership among moderate-income families on the island.

The Northern Marianas Housing Corporation said making the Guaranteed Rural Housing (GRH) Loan Program available to CNMI residents would facilitate the growth of home owners in the Commonwealth.

The program will be implemented here through the Rural Development of the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the Cranston-Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act, which was enacted on Nov. 29, 1990.

While the prevailing economic slowdown persistently makes almost all business sectors in the Northern Marianas frown, the money-transfer industry continues to indicate growth as manifested by the entry of yet another remittance company on Saipan.

Winfield Corporation began accepting remittance transactions from a good slice of the Filipino community on Saipan in the third quarter of the year, sending close to $350,000 in total greenback to the Philippines in its first three months of operation.

‘No Taliban warriors allowed on Tinian’[/B]

The bizarre idea of using the CNMI as a holding area for captured Taliban fighters is a far-fetched possibility that is not only against the Covenant but will also be opposed by any sane elected official.

“I don’t think that this is a wise thing for any elected official to even conceive the idea of inviting terrorists into the CNMI,” said House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial.

“That is why I am opposed to the idea of having the CNMI as a holding center for al-Qaida terrorists,” he added.

Community members gathered yesterday to witness another milestone unfold in the history of public education, delighting at the sight of the $5.6 million freshly completed Kagman High School facility.

Dignitaries led by Governor Pedro P. Tenorio described the campus unveiling as another symbol of progress, not only in the district of Kagman but for the entire CNMI as well.

Saipan’s second public high school, which will officially open its doors on January 15, 2002, has been built to host close to 500 students.