A vision for the CNMI!

All of us know that when our families take a vacation to travel to some new place we always start by making a plan and creating a vision of what it is we want it to be like when we get there. This plan is called many things. It can be a vision, idea, dream, plan, revelation, perception, imagination, etc. We never start a trip or venture without a plan or vision so we can assure ourselves that when we arrive it is where we wanted to be!

A group of about 25 diverse, committed people who love these islands and its people have been meeting for over the last two years to try to pull together a vision for our islands, with a specific focus on Saipan as our first step. These people represent a cross section of Saipan that is consistent with the ethnicity of the population and across the economy. There were men and women who are: professionals, farmers, fisherman, retirees, teachers, doctors, legislators, and business people. The common wish of all these people was to create a VISION for an ideal place where we all would want to live. The vision is still a work in progress, the group needs to add more members to expand and include all the members of our community

There is no leader for this group, all the people participated on an equal bases and made contributions directly to the group. People volunteered to do task but the “leader” was “everyone in the group”; no leader ran the group. We all listened to the inputs of all the group members and several acted as recorders to capture the vision statements coming from all the members. I am only one of the group members. The ideas for the vision come from all the group members. The following vision statements come from this small group of people and are now given to the community to think about. The question becomes: “Would you like to live in a community that had a vision to guide it to a place that you would like to live!” It is a preliminary vision, and cannot be completed until the community at large also makes their contributions.

After you read the “Visions” below you can respond in letters to the editor or make comments. We will include your ideas too. Please make your input positive, we are not interested in hearing from people who want to destroy, we are only interested in those that want to build a better place to live.

Dreams can come true for all that live here. Our “VISION” will be realized when:

– Physically the infrastructure and environment of our island and homes will fit all the needs of the people.

-The umbrella of our individual dreams will expand to be understood by all of our people.

-An umbrella for information and news will be evenly shared throughout the islands using the most advanced technology tools.

-Excellence of education for our youth with a focus on freedom for the benefit of the common good is assured by our government.

-The economy has grown to allow food, power, and water to be plentiful and pure, with the infrastructure to support the growth demanded.

-The economics of our islands will be based on the free enterprise system.

-The infrastructure is useful, enjoyable and sustainable.

-Changes will have happened that impact our social values to a healthy lifestyle that is supported by outstanding healthcare

-Our government will provide safe environments for the people and a justice system of excellence that will eliminate fear and provide equality for all people.

-Politics will not be part of our justice system; “the rule of law” will dominate.

-The people in government and political system will be based on the concept “best to serve.” Openness, honesty and fiduciary responsibility will be considered to be a right and part of the public trust.

-Socially, our people will have realized the need to be a larger village, sharing and helping each other to achieve a common dream.

-Society will change to encourage engagement of all people in free and fair debate.

-Our society will be friendly to “outsiders” and human diversity celebrated by all that meet here.

-Society will control government, not vice versa. This is the dream of all our people

The “Vision” will be recognized when we see it! Now that we have a start toward a vision how do we move forward to accomplish our dream?