FLASHBACK November 03, 1999-2003

[B]November 03, 1999

Congress tapped for PCB cleanup
[/B] Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday said he would lobby the U.S. Congress for funding to clean up areas on the island contaminated with the cancer-causing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) chemical left behind more than three decades ago by American military forces. He also did not rule out the possibility of taking legal actions to compensate families suffering from the harmful effects of the contamination as he noted the Department of Public Health is expected to come up with a report on its impact in the community.

[B]Voters assail lack of public information on proposals [/B]

Lucinda Rosario of San Jose thought she was ready to cast her vote on Saturday. She has already decided which candidates to vote for. When asked if she has also made up her mind on the legislative initiatives proposing amendments to the CNMI Constitution, she responded with a perplexed look on her face: “What legislative initiatives?” Three days into elections and several voters are still not aware that they have to deal with a set of questions that they need to answer through the ballot.

[B]November 03, 2000

Republicans battle in open primary
[/B] The Republican Party is hoping to persuade majority of over 13,000 registered voters in the CNMI to troop to the polls for tomorrow’s primary as the duel over who will be it’s official bet for next year’s gubernatorial election comes to an end. Polling booths in 12 locations on the three islands will be opened between 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. to accept voters during the open primary.

[B]Continental resumes nonstop flights to Nagoya[/B]

Armed with the projected growth on the demand for more air transport services from Japan to the islands, Continental Micronesia is deploying nonstop flights between Nagoya and Saipan beginning April 1, 2001. The airline company will use its newly-acquired 737-800 aircraft, which can accommodate a maximum of 155 passengers, in the daily Nagoya-Saipan flights.

[B]November 03, 2002

No concrete plans yet for old dump[/B]

The Babauta Administration continues to explore ideas about the future of the Puerto Rico dumpsite once it is finally closed, as construction of the Marpi landfill is completed soon. This was disclosed by Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente, who is also the chairman of the Governor’s Solid Waste Task Force.

[B]Spines chill, hairs raise at Youth Haunted House[/B]

Barely one step into the dark and narrow hallway of the Youth Haunted House and already, Halloween revelers felt chilling sensations crawl up their spine. Passing through the bloodied hospital bed laden with a gutted patient only confirmed of the even more horrific scenes up ahead.

[B]November 03, 2003

Voters drop incumbents[/B]

It will be a tug-of-war between the ruling Republican Party and neophyte Covenant Party-only on its second election-for the leadership at the CNMI Legislature, as nine Covenant and seven GOP candidates appeared to have made it through the Nov. 1, 2003 midterm elections. Also, almost sure to take a seat in the 14th House of Representatives are one Democrat and an independent candidate.

[B]Analyst says people want change in govt[/B]

If there is one clear message the CNMI voters had registered in Saturday’s midterm elections, it is the need for change in government, which may lead to a bigger change in political landscape come 2004. “It tells us what my students have been saying: they want to see change. People simply didn’t like status quo especially in the way the House and the Senate operate in general,” said Northern Marianas College faculty and socio-political analyst Sam McPhetres when asked for comments.