Editorial forum

To the delegate candidates and Saipan Tribune: I want to thank the delegate candidates for submitting their letters for publishing and to the Saipan Tribune for supporting the Editorial Forum and providing this badly needed public service in such a professional presentation. On behalf of those who appreciated the forum, thank you Saipan Tribune.

It didn’t matter who wrote and who did not write because each response and non-response will be given weight in the decision of many people. Although the people were only able to read the letters of Pete A. Tenorio, John Oliver Gonzales and Chong Man Won, the people also raised doubts about those who did not respond. Many voters are going to look at the delegates who responded first before even considering those who failed to write a simple letter about their plans.

To the delegates who did not respond—David Cing, Juan Lizama, Luis Crisostomo, John Davis, Gregorio C. Sablan and Felipe Atalig—I am urging you to answer the second question because your stock in falling fast. There is no way you can dodge this forum without losing votes because the whole purpose is to gain votes. If you are truly a delegate for Congress then I know you were aware of the Editorial Forum. I can understand some apprehension, especially when two people wrote letters trying to disrupt the forum and if the forum had been in a building they would have been kicked out. As you can see, the Saipan Tribune and many people in the community are in full support of the Editorial Forum. I am urging you to ignore the antics of people on the sidelines and respond to the second question if you are sincere abut becoming our delegate to Congress. This forum will have a positive affect on the outcome of the people’s selection because the people will have a much better idea about who is the best candidate. If you are on the sidelines with everyone else and not in the game you can’t be the best.

To Washington Representative Pete A. Tenorio, John Oliver Gonzales and Chong Man Won, your stock has gone up and your opposition’s is declining by default. I’m sure many people will be looking forward to hear the responses to the second question and hopefully more candidates will participate. The participation of a candidate in public forums will greatly improve the potential for approval in the voting booth; that’s Political Science 101.
[B] Ambrose M. Bennett[/B] [I]Kagman, Saipan

Editor’s Note: The second question being posed to the delegate candidates is: “What is your stance on federalization and how will you approach it as our Delegate to Congress?” Responses will be published on Friday. Deadline to submit responses is Oct. 2, at 12pm.[/I]