DAVID KAPILEO PETER

PERSONAL

Spouse: Maria “Malua” Angailen Taisakan

Children: Ellsbeth C. Alepuyo, Vivian P. Nogis, Carolyn P. Hosono, Marco and Taulaschigh T. Peter

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Chalan Kanoa Elementary School (1948-54): completed

Saipan Intermediate School (1954-57): completed

Mount Carmel High School (1960-62): completed

University of Guam (June 1964-March 1965): 9 months

Portland Community College (Dec. 1977-Nov. 79): 2 years

US Armed Forces College Extension Program (June 1971-June 1973): 2 years

MILITARY BACKGROUND

US Army Basic & Advance Training, Fortord California (Sep.-Dec. 1965): completed

US Army Airborne Training, Fort Benning, Ga. (Feb-Apr 1966): completed

US Army Non-Commission Officers Candidate School, Fort Bragg, N.C. (Jan.-Apr. 1973): completed

Vietnam Campaign Stationed, with 173d Airborne Brigade and other Units. (Feb. 1966-1970)

Vietnam Veteran

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Administrative Officer, Northern Islands Mayor’s Office, Jun 2004-Mar 2005

Regional Vice President, Primerica Life Insurance, 1994-95

Special Assistant to the Mayor of Northern Islands, 1989-93

General Manager, Tadotsu Saipan Shipping Co., 1986-89

Researcher, Senate Minority Office, 1983-85

Chief Administrative Officer, Carolinian Affairs, 1980-82

Researcher, District Legislature HEN Committee, 1979-80

Game Machines Technician/Collector, Bally Corp Guam, 1974-75

Manager, Saipan Bowling Center, 1973-74

US Army, 1969-73

Administrative Assistant, Community Development TT Gov’t, 1969

Accounting Technician Assistant, TT Finance, 1968

Manager, Saipan Hotel & Dining Room, 1967-68

US Army, 1965-67

Assistant Immigration Officer, TT Gov’t, 1962-64

Construction Worker, Koster & Whyte Const. Co., 1960

Stevedore, Charlie Dock, 1956-59

Q. What would you consider top 3 issues or concern facing the CNMI that demand immediate action from our government leaders?

A. Economy (good economy) should be the major concern and top priority of our leaders. Government and private business officials must put their heads together and identify available resources—permanent or temporary—that could generate a fair amount of revenue for the CNMI. However, as a candidate for mayor of the Northern Islands, I want to address my comments to the needs and the dilemmas facing the Northern Islands.

*Regular scheduled field trips are the foremost concern for the Northern Islands. Not only that field trips bring the much needed supplies and familiar faces, but it also lifts everyone’s spirit just to hear and know that a field trip is coming.

*Another most essential commodity in the Northern Islands is good drinking water. All existing water catchments on Alamagan, Pagan, and Agrigan need to be repaired and put to use.

*Typhoon shelter. Except for one dilapidated underground bunker in Agrigan, typhoon shelters on these islands are non-existent. As a Vietnam veteran, I put in beaucoup time filling sandbags, making bunkers, and sleeping and living in them. The amazing thing about sandbags is that it gets hard or cement-like after awhile under the elements. Sandbags to construct typhoon shelters are most ideal for the Northern Islands.

Q. What idea can you bring to the table to revive the CNMI economy?

A. Government officials will be able to identify much of these sources which maybe able to infuse that much needed revenue to CNMI. The CNMI could request to host sports competitions, South Pacific, Arts Festival, etc.

Q. What is your vision for the Northern Islands and the steps that must be taken to achieve that vision?

A. My vision for the Northern Islands will be to see it again just like the time when visitors came in great numbers. Trading between the visitors and the islanders were just natural things to do and quite lucrative. One could trade cigarettes, flashlight, battery, rice, almost anything from Saipan for pigs, goats, smoked fish and meat, fruit bats, coconut crabs and many more Northern Islands products. As for the step that must be taken to achieve this goal, I guess we just have to remain focused on our goals.