Flashback December 17, 1998-2002

[B][U]December 17, 1998[/U][/B] [B]902 talks on track again [/B]

President Bill Clinton’s special representative to the Section 902 consultations, Edward B. Cohen, will be arriving in the Northern Marianas on Jan. 18, 1999 to finally find solution to problems that have strained CNMI-US relations. According to Lt. Gov. Jesus R. Sablan, CNMI’s chief negotiator, Cohen has sent a letter informing him of his intention to resume the stalled bilateral talks which has been postponed twice. “We are now preparing to convene the negotiating team to meet again and discuss the areas which we need to emphasize,” said Sablan. He said the CNMI panel will meet today to finalize the issues which will be covered in the meeting with Cohen.

[B]Legislators loosen belt-tightening in hiring[/B]

Despite shrinking cash resources of the government, the House of Representatives yesterday voted to approve three additional full-time employees for the Division of Sanitation Services over fears of potential delay in public service due to lack of manpower. A joint resolution will seek the Department of Public Health to reprogram some of its funds to pay about $60,000 in total annual salary for the three new positions under the current budget allocation of the government. The resolution was passed in a special House session yesterday and now heads to the Senate for approval before it becomes effective, according to representatives.

[B][U]December17, 2001[/U][/B] [B]Plans to detain Taliban on Tinian thrill businessmen[/B]

TINIAN—Local businessmen here chorused in saying that making Tinian a holding area for arrested Taliban warriors will help revive the island’s economy through increased spending activities that will come akin to the arrival of military personnel. The plan would also give Tinian and the rest of the Northern Marianas international exposure from some of the world’s largest media entities that are expected to send in reporters on the island for coverage. Tinian businessmen complained that revenues reached rock bottom since after the September 11 terror attacks on the US, as they project better sales figures if plans to detain Afghan warriors on the island pushed through.

[B]Boy gets wish to take part in fire drill[/B]

Shy and soft-spoken, Saipan’s youngest and first-ever honorary firefighter, Patrick S., took part in a fire-and-rescue drill held at the Governor’s Office Friday morning, with brawny firemen leading the frail-looking boy through the ropes of the demonstration. Five-year-old Patrick, who has a hypoplastic right ventricle (heart) problem, was also accompanied by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio, who took a break from his customary office routine to play host to the young boy. When later asked if he enjoyed himself, Patrick shyly nodded but he refused to answer further questions by reporters.

[B][U]December 17, 2002[/U][/B] [B]Price gouging complaints up[/B]

ROTA-Residents are complaining that some retailers on the island have jacked up the prices of basic commodities, even as food supplies remain limited after the worst typhoon ever to hit the Marianas left the island a wreck. This has prompted the Attorney General’s Office yesterday to warn merchants that it would file criminal and civil cases against anyone who is caught engaged in price gouging. Commerce Secretary Fermin Atalig, who was on the island Saturday, warned that price gouging carries stiff penalties, including imprisonment and a permanent prohibition to engage in business again.

[B]Heinz: $19-M loan’s terms ‘impractical'[/B]

House Speaker Heinz S. Hofschneider favors the expeditious release of overdue rebates and refunds before Christmas but not at the expense of the entire Commonwealth’s future financial fate. This, as he branded as “impractical” the $19-million loan being eyed by the government to secure from the Bank of Guam, considering the kind of collateral the banking institution reportedly proposes. “People have got to slow down and look at what is the most practical. Everybody is desirous to give the people their deserved refund and rebate [this] December, but not at the expense of subjecting the entire Commonwealth. And the possibility is very real that we will not be able to meet that based on the conditions set by BoG,” Hofschneider said during an interview yesterday.