Flashback May 27, 1999-2003

[B]MAY 27, 1999

Legislators dare rights group to show proof[/B]

Northern Marianas lawmakers yesterday shrugged off the latest attack against the Commonwealth after a human rights group accused the island of trafficking and abuse of its foreign workers. They also defended U.S. House Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R-Texas) from criticism of “improperly” using his position to stall legislation that will impose federal takeover of labor and immigrations laws in the CNMI.

[B]Amendment to $24M CIP bill gains ground in Senate[/B]

The Senate will amend the proposed bill appropriating more than $24 million in capital improvement projects on the three islands, changing provisions on expenditure and reprogramming authority which is expected to draw ire from the Tenorio administration. A Senate session earlier scheduled today where the measure had been included in the calendar for passage was postponed at the last-minute to Tuesday.

[B]Teno: Crackdown on prostitution[/B]

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday issued fresh calls to police and immigration authorities to clamp down on illegal flesh trade amid reports that prostitutes are back in the main tourist district of Garapan. Residents and businessmen in Garapan have expressed concern of the growing presence of prostitutes which they say tarnishes the image of the area as a wholesome entertainment destination for visitors.

[B]MAY 27, 2002

CPA alerted for possible attacks[/B]

The Commonwealth Ports Authority has implemented additional security measures at all CNMI airports in light of the newest terror alert issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The additional security measures will subject travelers to a more stringent inspection that includes scanning and inspection of even the smallest objects carried by departing passengers.

[B]Top graduates inspire crowd[/B]

Marie Nora P. Coleman and Betty J. Leonard–the valedictorians of the Northern Marianas Colleges’ graduates of 2002–didn’t exactly meet the profile of a traditional student. In between classes and academic commitments, they were also career and family women, making their way through college alongside students much younger than themselves.

[B]Compliance assured in salary cap dilemma[/B]

Contrary to speculations that it may just ignore the Legislature on the issue of salary caps, the Babauta administration stressed that it intends to comply with all statutory requirements and will accede to the Legislature’s wishes if it remains adamant on the issue. Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente made this assurance Friday, saying that the Office of the Attorney General itself would make sure that the administration works within all legal parameters.

[B]MAY 27, 2003

Teacher: ACT can’t force itself[/B]

The Association of Commonwealth Teachers could no longer force itself upon teachers or the government because it lacks consent and recognition as the representative of all public school teachers, according to Kagman High School teacher representative Ambrose Bennett. Bennett made the remarks in response to ACT’s letter to Gov. Juan N. Babauta, which, he said, is not only disrespectful to teachers but also to the governor’s office. “ACT has not only disrespected teachers, ACT is now trying to intimidate your office,” said Bennett in his own letter to Babauta yesterday.
[B] Nursing board bypassed on NCLEX order[/B]

The Commonwealth Board of Nurse Examiners was not consulted by the government when it issued a directive reaffirming the suspension of the NCLEX requirement for nurses working at the Department of Public Health. Members of the CBNE, in a meeting last Friday, said they only received a formal communication about the directive that same day. “No one asked the board for comments or inputs. The board received it at 10am today (Friday),” said newly re-elected CBNE chair Rosa Tudela. As of Friday, the board said it wanted to get hold of the DPH legal counsel, as well as Public Health Secretary James U. Hofschneider to be enlightened on the issue.

[B]Nine establishments cited for violation of water regs[/B]

The Division of Environmental Quality has cited several establishments for allegedly violating the CNMI’s drinking water regulations. The notices of violation pertain mostly to bacterial contamination of their respective public water system (PWS) or their failure to monitor for this contaminant for the month of April.