Flashback June 5, 2000-2001

[B]JUNE 5, 2000

Fr. Bradley collapses; dies[/B]

Catholic Priest Gary Bradley succumbed to a heart attack yesterday morning while saying mass at Kristo Rai Parish in front of shocked parishioners. He was 53. Bishop Tomas Camacho who rushed to the hospital and check on his Vicar General, saw how doctors at the Commonwealth Health Center worked hard to revive Fr. Bradley at the emergency room. He was pronounced dead past 7:00 a.m.

[B]CDA to float $60-M bond this month[/B]

The Commonwealth Development Authority is anticipating to finally float the $60-million municipal bond by the end of the month, a development that has the promise to hasten pending major infrastructure projects and increase business activities on the island. Executive Director Marylou S. Ada said CDA’s bond underwriters in the mainland United States are already in the process of obtaining the needed rating before the bond is floated in the open market.

[B]Telecom bill clears House[/B]

After being shelved for nearly three years, the proposed regulatory body for the telecommunications sector in the CNMI passed the House of Representatives on Friday in a split vote hailed by its proponents as a step towards attracting other potential investors. Rep. Rosiky F. Camacho, author of HB 12-6 and chair of the Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications Committee, slammed opposition to the legislation, noting that other telecom firms may be encouraged to come in and break the monopoly long held by Micronesian Telephone Corporation.

[B]JUNE 5, 2001

Controversial Article 12: Cost construction industry $4B[/B]

The construction industry and the Commonwealth in general has lost between $3-$4 billion in investments since 1985 when the debate about foreigners owning land was first raised under Article 12. Contractor’s Association Chairman Richard J. Szumiel said the $3 billion to $4 billion represents money lost from investors who were turned off when lawsuits started appearing in the mid-1980s questioning leases entered into by foreigners.

[B]Straub complained of nonpayment[/B]

Patients sent to Straub Clinic and Hospital have been turned away for failure by the Department of Public Health and Environmental Services here to pay for services under an agreed arrangement. Last week, a Medicaid patient was turned away by Straub management and consequently requested Queen’s Medical Center to take charge and treat the patient. Straub reportedly refused to provide medical treatment to the Medicaid approved patient unless payments are made upfront prior to remderomg medical services.

[B]Positive job outlook for 2001 graduates[/B]

Jobs await fresh high school graduates who are patient and determined enough to earn a place in the local workforce. Employment Services Division Director Alfred A. Pangelinan made the assurance yesterday on the heels of another busy job-hunting period this graduation season.

[B]JUNE 5, 2002

CPA sues Tinian Shipping[/B]

Barely bouncing back from a brief period of disrupted ferry services following an arrest order issued by the federal court less than two weeks ago, the embattled Tinian Shipping and Transportation Inc. received yet another blow, this time, through a civil lawsuit initiated by the Commonwealth Ports Authority. The public corporation, through counsel S. Joshua Berger, lodged a $1.15 million suit against the troubled shipping company on grounds of nonpayment of passenger and dockage fees pursuant to a lease agreement that CPA and TSTI entered into last June 1, 1996.

[B]Pete A. lobbies for changes in minimum wage legislation[/B]

CNMI Washington Representative Pete A. Tenorio is strongly lobbying for changes in the minimum wage legislation now pending in the U.S. Congress. Prior to the U.S. Congress’ Memorial Day recess, Democrats from both the House of Representatives and the Senate introduced identical bills to increase the U.S. minimum wage.

[B]Nobody’s using newly built Kagman center[/B]

Kagman residents aired concerns that the removal of law enforcers in the community would encourage an unwelcome increase in criminal activities in the area. The residents are also wary that the move would delay response to emergency cases. The Kagman Kommunidat Association also chided the suspension of community policing service and the halting of the Law Enforcement Education Program for the Kagman youth beginning early this year.