Salute to former FSM Pres. Bailey Olter

Micronesians everywhere mourn the death of former FSM President Bailey Olter. It was during his second term as head of the FSM that he was afflicted with a massive stroke. He finally succumbed after about two years and died peacefully at home this week.

As a former staff of the then Congress of Micronesia, I’ve come to know the former FSM President as a senator who hails from the Rain Garden of Micronesia. One of the issues he truly believes in is education for Micronesians saying we’re as good as anybody with formal education under our belt. We can basically become anything we want to be and live anywhere in the world with a good formal education.

Olter was head of the Senate Ways and Means Committee who, in concert with his counterpart in the House of Representatives, have the final say on how the revenue contributions of the six administrative districts are disposed every fiscal year. I’ve watched him in serious debates and must admit he’s one of the brightest among Micronesia’s cream of the crop. Blessed with a deep commanding voice and superb wits, he’d sail through the rough terrain of tough issues with reason. He finally earned the accolade as the “sturdy voice of reason” in the Senate.

Outside of public office, Olter was a builder in every sense of the word. He cleared his land aboard a bulldozer for a small hotel. He guided his workers from the foundation up until the entire building was ready for ribbon cutting. The dining area and bar overlooks the scenic Sokehs Bay. It’s a great place to unwind after a lengthy session or day at work. If there’s any commonality that he shares with his colleagues, it’s that most of them became heads of states back home. Olter became the third president of the FSM.

At the Micronesian Constitutional Convention in 1975, he championed protecting all Micronesians on land ownership in any of the six administrative districts. In other words, if you’re a Chamorro who’s lived in Pohnpei before the national constitutional government was established, your rights to land is fully protected.

A giant among Micronesian leaders, he’d be remembered by all who have come to know him both as an individual and as an extraordinary public servant. From our little corner of the Pacific, my people join me in extending our most profound condolences to the late former President of the FSM. We will remember him and his family in our thoughts and prayers.

Has DPS been negligent lately?

The exit of eight prisoners from the Susupe jail compound a day or so ago is the second black eye against the Department of Public Safety this year. It shows in plain view that someone who’s charged of the prison facilities must have been snoring heavily while the convicts inched their way out. This negligence simply violates peace and safety in the community.

I’m not prepared to lambast a highly essential department in keeping peace and safety in our community. But the commissioner must get on the ball and issue serious disciplinary action to prison guards for negligence on the job. After all, it is very unsettling knowing that criminals are out roaming the streets sending the entire community into a panic.

It should be understood too that peace and safety in the islands isn’t solely the responsibility of the Department of Public Safety. It begins right in the home front where kids are disciplined by their parents to steer clear of negative activities. Parents are part of this equation and it is vitally important that we partake in teaching our young minds the essence of self-respect. It’s our community after all, so pitch-in now!