Flashback August 06, 1999

[B]August 06, 1999

Worst is over for NMI—economist[/B]

Citing improvements on the island’s gross revenue and gross business receipts, the worst of economic decline is probably over for the CNMI, according to Wali M. Osman, vice president and regional economist of Bank of Hawaii. Osman explained: “We are literally at the trough of the cycle. But the question is when do we get out of the trough and how rapidly?”

[B]Legislators to US Congress: Probe Stayman, too[/B]

Former Insular Affairs Director Allen P. Stayman must be investigated for his possible involvement with Interior official David North’s on-the-job political campaign, local lawmakers said yesterday. This move could also help shed light on the series of probe by Office of Insular Affairs — through a private investigator hired and paid for by the federal government which was directed against the Northern Marianas, according to Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes.

[B]22 garment firms in lawsuit want to be tried separately[/B]

The 22 garment companies named in the class action suit asked the federal court yesterday to try their cases separately, saying each of them is surrounded by different circumstances. Lawyers for the plaintiffs, on the other hand, opposed the defendants’ motion to break up the case maintaining that all allegations raised in the lawsuit are identical and inter-related.
US District Court Judge Alex Munson heard yesterday the oral arguments of lawyers for both parties.

[B]August 06, 2001

Hotels feel the pinch of low visitor arrivals[/B]

Seven of the 10 major hotels on the island have admitted to feeling the pinch of the economic slowdown, saying that the crisis has adversely impacted their revenues in the last three years. Reports circulating around the Commonwealth’s hotel industry claimed at least six hotels have been toying with the idea of filing for bankruptcy.

[B]Dangers of job come without pay[/B]

“You’ll never know when you’re going to die. Just be prepared for your funeral.” The remark came from a police officer of the Department of Public Safety who is one of those who were tasked to protect more than 60,000 residents of Saipan, Tinian and Rota. At present, there are only over 350 DPS personnel in the CNMI’s three major islands, thus making the demands of police work more pressing. In Tinian, there was even a time weeks back that police officers had to contend with patrolling the island on foot in the absence of a running vehicle.

[B]Senate earmarks $6.2M for educational facilities[/B]

A total of $2.62 million were re-appropriated by the Senate on Thursday to fund capital improvement projects in Precinct 1 and various educational facilities in the Commonwealth. During Thursday’s regular session, the Upper Chamber passed House Bill 12-373 that realigned $2.12 million from Public Law 11-79 to fund several CIP projects in Precinct 1 and House Bill 12-237 that reallocated the $500,000 that was originally allotted for the Tatachog Library. Both bills sailed through the Senate on unanimous votes.

[B]August 06, 2002

DPS forms task force to curb criminality[/B]

Virtually everyday for the last seven years, an average of nine victims have complained about being burglarized, robbed or being taken advantaged of by lawless elements in the community. According to statistics shared by the Department of Public Safety, a total of 24,984 cases of vandalism, robberies, burglaries and other forms of theft have been reported to authorities from June 9, 1995 until July 31, 2002.

[B]No need to panic, govt in good fiscal shape—Heinz[/B]

A meeting between House leaders and Department of Finance officials has convinced lower chamber lawmakers that the $18 million projected deficit is a red herring that is partly untrue and that the government is, in fact, in much better shape than what the administration is painting it to be. That said, the House of Representatives still wants the Babauta administration to proceed with the cost-cutting measures that were outlined in the letter that acting Gov. Diego T. Benavente had sent to lawmakers last Friday.