FLASHBACK December 9, 1998-2002

With little time left, crisis panel off track
[/B] With barely a day before it expires, a special Senate committee tasked to deal with CNMI’s economic crisis has yet to draw up a list of recommendations and possible solutions that may help the government address growing fears on the worsening condition. But a co-chair of the joint panel yesterday brushed aside perceived failure to plan a strategy at this time, saying that other government bodies set up in recent months are tackling the same problems that have plagued the island economy since late last year. Senate Floor leader Pete P. Reyes also said they are still gathering information from various groups which can assist them to come up with a comprehensive report for consideration by the legislature.

The CNMI Task Force on Solid Waste is planning to privatize part of the operation of the future Marpi depression landfill facility in order to stir employment opportunities for the community, according to Lt. Gov. Jesus R. Sablan. Sablan, who heads the task force, said he will propose to the committee the privatization of trash collection and transportation of garbage from pick-up station up to the landfill to help create employment at a time when jobs are getting scarce because of the economic slump. Construction of the Marpi landfill is to begin either January or February next year, Sablan said, and will be operational by the end of 1999, paving the way for the closure of the 20-hectare Puerto Rico dump site – one of the campaign promises of Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio.

30 percent retirement bonus may have to go[/B]

Government employees stand to lose the 30 percent bonus under an early retirement program by next week if Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio finally signs into law a bill that the Senate passed in a recent session after holding off action for nearly a year. Proponents of the legislation said elimination of such retirement benefit will comply with the ongoing austerity measures and stave off potential drain of the NMI Retirement Fund’s resources. But senators, in voting 6-0 in favor of House Bill 11-359 during Tuesday’s session, wanted assurances that current eligible recipients will not be denied the bonus once it becomes a law.

A plan to issue a new request for proposal for the controversial Saipan power plant will be a “complete mistake and a disaster,” according to one of the top bidders for the long delayed project. An Enron official also warned it will be more expensive if the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation decides to scrap the 80-megawatt plant and begin a new round of procurement for a power project with a lower capacity. Frederick E. Lacroix, general manager of Enron Guam Piti Corp., said prices offered by current bidders will jump to reflect the rising inflation, higher interest rates and currency flactuation that have occured in the past few months.

Pongsona nears supertyphoon status [/B]

Typhoon Pongsona mustered more strength yesterday, packing winds of up to 140mph as it prepared to make landfall on the Northern Marianas region, with its closest approach on Rota starting last night. The typhoon also dumped drenching rains across the region yesterday, with National Weather forecasts warning residents to prepare for 12 to 20 inches of rain that could possibly lead to flash floods and landslides. By yesterday afternoon, the weather disturbance has already prompted some 323 residents to troop to designate evacuation centers to take shelter and protection.

Northern Marianas College president Kenneth Wright has accepted Friday the resignation of executive vice president Barbara Moir and terminated two others related to her. In an interview, Wright confirmed that three individuals-Moir, her sister Melody Actouka, and Moir’s assistant, Robert Hegwood-will be leaving the college but not until after 90 days or on March 1, 2003. Wright introduced a new organizational chart, appointing new people to new posts, including former president Jack Sablan, whom he promoted as the interim dean for Academic Programs and Services.