The betrayal

In the recent movie “The General’s Daughter” an army investigator played by John Travolta is tasked to solve the rape and death of the general’s daughter.
During a conversation in the lockup, John Travolta asks a suspected officer why and how this crime happened. The officer replies: “Find out what is worst than rape and you will find the answer.” As the movie progresses, John and we find the answer: Betrayal by someone trusted.

When we put our trust and belief in someone whether it be a parent, a spouse, a friend, a stranger, or a government, and act on this faith, only to find that this individual or government fails in time of need, that is betrayal. We are told to have faith in God. Children are raised to trust their parents. In the work field, we put our trust in the company. As an organized society we place our loyalty in the government believing that it will help and come to our rescue whenever the need arises. Thus we elect officials and lead a secure life knowing that if we do right, we will be protected and helped in time of need.

Several years ago Marine Revitalization Corporation (MRC) revitalized a marina and a small park from a filthy piece of neglected land slowly eroding into the ocean called the outer cove. No one ever went there except to dump their garbage.
After the war, it had been a favorite fishing and swimming place for many residents of Saipan who still retain pleasant memories of the site.

Because dock facilities were needed to operate from, MRC approached the CNMI government and the U.S. National Park Services to develop the neglected area jointly held by them. After many discussions, the company received permission to develop, at its own expense, the area. In legal documents, between the company and the two governments, promises were made and agreed upon. The project was to be for commercial boaters and the public to enjoy as well. Based on these agreements and feeling that it had found trusted partners, MRC proceeded to build and invest in the area.

Actually the CNMI government should have built theses facilities for boaters because of their value in servicing tourists. In fifteen years that I have lived here, the government has never spent a single cent to improve any boating facilities in Saipan. The only reason Smiley Cove Marina was built is that the funds came from a U.S. Fish and Wildlife federal grant, not local funds.

As soon as the project was completed, certain individuals objected to paying a fair fee for the use of the facilities needed for operation and maintenance.

Consequently, they began a smear campaign against the Outer Cove Marina and Park. MRC went to its two partners and asked for relief from this harassment.

The Federal government partner, after examining the situation, promptly began to uphold its commitments of support for MRC against its harassers. On the other hand, the local government partner began a series of subterfuges and procrastination to cater to its “friends,” the complainers, which continue to today. As a result MRC has been maligned and its endeavor to benefit the community has been degraded.

After two years of pleading on deaf ears of the local government to uphold its promises and after suffering immeasurable financial loss and despair, MRC finally acted to protect itself. My government has betrayed its trust to cronyism.

A sad lesson learned from all of this is if MRC can be so easily betrayed by its local partner the government, who will be next? How many of us can trust the government? If we cannot trust our government, what good is it?