ON STREET NAMING DISPUTE Faisao sets condition for compromise

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.

Faisao has accused some officials of discrimination over apparent snub on the list of recommendations prepared by the Carolinian Affairs Office which have not been included in the proposed street names approved by a commission created by the municipal government.

“I am willing to compromise as long as there is fairness,” he told in an interview yesterday, in response to calls from Commonwealth leaders to opposing parties to hammer out a compromise.

The Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation has fought over the proposal submitted by the Office of the Mayor, which has assigned names on streets without reportedly considering the input from Carolinians.

Recent debates on the issue have bordered on racial dispute as Faisao and other legislators insist half of the names should reflect their culture and heritage since Carolinians are also considered indigenous to the Northern Marianas.

“To name all the streets in Chamorro would eventually perpetuate discrimination by depriving the minority their right to promote their cultural heritage,” the representative pointed out.

SNILD chair Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider earlier has urged for calm on the potentially divisive issue, asking both parties to reach a compromise to push the street naming project, which has been stalled due to failure to come up with names acceptable to all sectors.

Although he refused to step in, Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has also prodded the lawmaking body to seek the mutual agreement so that the concerns on specific location of houses raised by the Department of Public Safety as well as the U.S. Postal Service would finally be addressed.

The street naming commission is expected to go back to the drawing board to consider the Carolinians’ proposal before the local delegation adopt the plan and begin putting up street names.

“Some people might question why we are making a big deal out of this issue, but I will not tolerate deprivation and discrimination,” said Faisao. “I will lead the struggle to recognize Carolinians as part of this community. I am trying to make a big difference so that we will be able to uphold our rights as NMI descent.”