Flashback April 11, 2000

Federal takeover threats still alive[/B]

Local lawmakers visiting Congress in Washington D.C. expressed optimism yesterday over continued CNMI control over its immigration and minimum wage, but said there are still efforts by some members that threaten such power granted to the islands. Speaker Benigno R. Fitial, who led the 10-member delegation, vowed to woo support by U.S. lawmakers from both the House of Representatives and the Senate on local programs aimed at improving the island’s labor conditions and ensuring economic growth here.
[B] Dynasty, Mandarin Air seal deal for charter flights[/B]

Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino will sign today with Mandarin Airlines the charter agreement for a direct service between Taipei and Saipan in a move to boost visitor arrivals on the island. The delegation led by Hong Kong Overseas Entertainment Inc. chair Michael Kwan and Lt. Gov. Jesus R. Sablan left for Taipei yesterday afternoon.

The Commonwealth Ports Authority officially opens today the public bidding for the much-delayed improvement of the West Tinian International Airport, including the construction of a new runway that was designed to accommodate larger aircraft. CPA will be soliciting two separate invitations for the project; one will encompass the construction of a 7,800 linear-foot asphalt concrete runway and the other will be for an 8,600 linear-foot runway, according to Ports Authority Board Chair Roman S. Palacios.

Saipan lose investors to Guam[/B]

The Northern Marianas has once again lost a substantial amount of investments to its neighboring island of Guam, apparently due to restrictive investment policies in the Commonwealth. Due to its restrictive investment laws, Northern Marianas has been losing potential foreign businessmen to Guam where investors can get a greencard and American citizenship in five years for a minimum of $250,000 in total investments..
[B] Ways to improve tourism proposed[/B]

Measures to ensure the islands’ scenic attractions are suited to the tastes of the relatively modern generation must be instituted to sustain the survival of the local tourism industry. This as the CNMI’s share of tourists apparently get younger and younger. In the purview of an expert in the hospitality and tourism arena, local leaders should explore the possibility of creating one particular legislation that would ensure continuous development of the islands’ most visited places and sites.

The US Department of Defense has been cited potentially liable for its failure to properly dispose of toxic materials left behind at the Tanapag dump site, the Division of Environmental Quality said yesterday. In a letter to General Counsel Daniel J. Dell’Orto, DEQ Acting Director Antonio Deleon Guerrero pointed out that under the CNMI Harmful Substance Cleanup Regulations, the US Defense took part in the handling, storage, treatment, transportation, and disposal of solid waste.

DD Council chief sacked[/B]

Thomas J. Camacho has been fired as executive director of the CNMI Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities during an executive session of the agency’s Board of Directors Tuesday afternoon. Camacho, who has served the Council as executive director in a total of four years, was unseated by the Board on grounds of “unsatisfactory performance.”

Making a decision that was described as painful, the leadership of Rota has decided to reject the “generous” offer of Global Country of Peace to invest in the island “for the sake of unity in the Commonwealth.” In a privilege speech yesterday that apparently took a majority of his colleagues by surprise, Rep. Daniel O. Quitugua disclosed that, after an evening meeting on Tuesday, he and other leaders of Rota have decided not to entertain anymore the investment offer made by the controversial meditational group.

The Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino filed for a tax relief application under the Qualifying Certificate Program with the Commonwealth Development Authority, in hopes of defraying marketing and promotional expenses amid the continuing economic slowdown. Tinian Dynasty Hotel General Manager Tom Liu said the Hong Kong Entertainment (Overseas) Investment Limited, which owns and operates the hotel and casino resort, has invested an estimated $149 million to establish and operate a resort hotel, a casino, and a shipping/transportation business in San Jose, Tinian to stimulate the CNMI economy.