Flashback July 08, 1999-2003

[B]July 08, 1999

Faisao sets compromise on street naming dispute[/B]

Stung by ongoing debate on the street naming project by the Office of the Saipan Mayor, Rep. Melvin Faisao vowed yesterday to work toward a compromise to bridge opposing views on condition that the proposal from the Carolinian community must first be given a “fair” deal. He expressed hope for the immediate resolution to the differences which, according to legislators, have threatened to drag further the 10-year project and divide the local community.

[B]Clarify vague provisions of Fair Wage Act – Chamber[/B]

When the cash equivalent or benefit compensation is paid to a resident worker, such additional benefit should not considered a part of the “regular rate” and be used as basis in calculating overtime pay. This was the recommendation presented by the Saipan Chamber of Commerce to House Speaker Diego T. Benavente ahead of plans by the Legislature to take up the new Resident Workers Fair Compensation Act.

[B]CRM to conduct study of CNMI’s marine life[/B]

An Ecosystem Management Plan for Saipan Lagoon will be conducted to determine the different types of marine life and recommend the necessary conservation measures. Coastal Resources Management Acting Director Martin Castro yesterday said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer will help conduct the study which has been given federal funding. It is the first time that an Ecosystem Study will be undertaken by CRM.

[B]July 08, 2002

Burglars break into Legislature[/B]

Burglars with somewhat unorthodox motives broke into the Legislature building over the weekend, taking off not so much with valuables but a laptop, a computer battery and some important documents. The missing items were mostly from the office of Senate Minority Leader Pete P. Reyes but an inspection showed that offices of at least six other offices in the building had door handles that bore marks of attempts at being forced open.

[B]Chata’an knocks Rota down[/B]

Typhoon Chata’an unleashed its fury Friday when it passed by the Northern Marianas, leaving Rota heavily devastated-fallen debris obstructed the roads, most of the crops were destroyed, and the island was in total blackout. On Saipan, the strong winds and heavy rains also prompted the evacuation of more than 200 individuals in different evacuation centers designated by the Emergency Management Office.

[B]Local politics influencing Verizon sale[/B]

The petitions opposing the transfer of Verizon Pacifica to Pacific Telecom Inc. were procedurally defective in that some of the petitions imply that they represent official positions, when in fact they do not. At the same time, the petitions fail to establish a prima facie case that the proposed transfer would not serve the public interest.

[B]July 08, 2003

NMI to lift SARS ban in two weeks[/B]

Public Health Secretary James Hofschneider reportedly advised the Babauta administration to lift the travel restriction for CNMI-bound visitors from China and Taiwan by July 11 and 19, respectively. Press Secretary Peter A. Callaghan said Hofschneider made the recommendation to Gov. Juan N. Babauta and Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente during a Cabinet meeting yesterday. Callaghan said the administration would most likely follow Hofschneider’s recommendation.

[B]CUC board OKs power privatization[/B]

Majority of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. Board of Directors approved the proposed privatization of CUC’s power plants in Lower Base. With three “yes” votes, one “no,” and one abstention, the board moved ahead Thursday with the issuance of a Request for Proposal for the privatization of Power Plant 2. The project also includes the construction of the CUC’s administration building. The affirmative votes came from board chair Herman P. Sablan, vice chairman Frank Guerrero, and treasurer Laura Manglona.