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Kudos to Saipan Nursery Assn.
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Posted on Jan 26 2001
The Issue: Efforts by the Saipan Nursery Association to return the island to its tropical ambiance.
Our View: The association deserves the accolades of the community for its grand sense of proactivity.
The boom of the late eighties and early nineties brought with its own sets of problems, including the removal of permanent trees along beach road. In short, we have established a small city of cement walls between Koblerville and Garapan.
This was fueled by a decision to shelve the zoning plan that would have included the planting of shrubs and trees outside major business or public facilities. It would have forced the establishment and rebuilding of an organized community. As it is, we still see auto-shops and pig pens in residential and commercial areas. The orderly organization of commercial and residential areas turned into a frustration for those who had to endure the lack of local resolve to deal with helter-skelter development.
The last time the island had any serious planting of its famous Marianas Flame Tree was in the mid-sixties. Students worked summer jobs and planted flame trees along beach road. Definitely, we all relish the bright red petals that illuminate even at night as we cruise along this panoramic stretch of artery. Some of the trees have either died of a certain fungus or removed completely for basic infrastructure emplacement over the years. They were never replaced.
It is for this reason that we extend our most profound sense of gratitude to the Saipan Nurserymen Association for taking it upon itself to plant trees around the island. It’s hard work but one that would definitely grant this island its very tropical ambiance over the long haul. Gentlemen, thank yan Si Yuus Maase` for your dedicated efforts to beautify our tiny paradise. Si Yuus Maase`!
