Flashback June 11, 1999-2002

[B]June 11, 1999

Dynasty wants power rate cut[/B]

It may take a while for the new power plant on Tinian to provide electricity to its biggest customer as the Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino asked for leeway from the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. in view of its shaky financial condition. The problem-ridden casino has apparently appealed for waiver of fees and lower power rate as part of the terms if they decide to hook up with the 10-megawatt plant that opened last February.

[B]Bill on FAS draws protest from Palau[/B]

A top Palau official has reiterated opposition against a pending legislation that will put in place a government monitoring system for Freely Associated States citizens residing in the Northern Marianas. House Speaker Ignacio Anastacio said both CNMI and Guam should address the issue on the costs of hosting their nationals to the federal government, adding Palau expects to get involved when the Compact is renegotiated later this year.

[B]DLNR steps in to protect boats in Outer Marina Cove[/B]

Department of Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Jack Tenorio yesterday assured boat owners that the CNMI government will find a way to raise money for the construction of the breakwater that will protect vessels in the Outer Marina Cove. Tenorio said the fenders which have been ordered by DLNR will be arriving soon and will be immediately installed to ensure the safety of boats in the marina. “Once the breakwater is installed, the marina will look more like a lake. We will just have to find funding for it,” he said.

[B]June 11, 2001

Candidates support 50%+1 vote proposal[/B]

Gubernatorial tandems would face difficulty winning this year’s race if legislation is approved imposing a run-off election between the two highest vote getters. The issue is one of securing the mandate of the majority of the voting public in the Northern Mariana Islands.

[B]PDL, gov’t sued over project[/B]

The Saipan Grand Hotel is seeking compensatory and punitive damages against Pacific Drilling Limited and two government agencies for alleged failure to remedy a mess caused by a public works project. The plaintiff has filed civil suit against Commonwealth Utilities Corporation and the Commonwealth Ports Authority, the public agencies who contracted PDL to work on a public works project at As Lito.

[B]Saipan transfer station project set to start[/B]

The construction of the proposed Saipan transfer station facility, which will serve as drop-off point for the island’s trash prior to dumping at the planned Marpi sanitary landfill, is all set to start this Friday, June 15, 2001. According to Solid Waste Management Division Director John Harder, concerned government agencies and project principals have been busy preparing for groundbreaking ceremonies at the facility’s Lower Base site to get the project underway.

[B]June 11, 2002

A casino on Saipan?[/B]

Saipan could soon muscle in on the fiercely competitive casino industry, with the introduction of a bill that seeks to authorize casino operations in the Third Senatorial District. Senate Local Bill 13-7, a pre-filed measure authored by Sen. Ramon S. Guerrero, made its first legislative appearance during the upper chamber’s Friday session on Rota.

[B]Talks to rehabilitate BoS continue[/B]

Attorney General Robert T. Torres yesterday advised Bank of Saipan trustee David J. Lujan to secure a lawyer when participating in any discussion regarding the bank’s rehabilitation plan. In his letter to Lujan, Torres said there are civil and criminal penalties attending the case apart from the purely commercial issues, which may necessitate the presence of a legal counsel.

[B]Resumption of jet fuel leak cleanup pressed[/B]

With Saipan’s public utility firm expressing concern over possible groundwater contamination, the Division of Environmental Quality yesterday pressed for the resumption of the jet fuel leak cleanup work at the Saipan International Airport. The DEQ said it wants the Commonwealth Ports Authority and Mobil Oil Marianas to resume the remediation work of the jet fuel leak that occurred at the Saipan International Airport sometime last year, or they face sanctions that include monetary fines.