The fate of Marpi

I would like to clarify a few things about what took place Thursday at the Marpi Homestead Development site. Contrary to some rumors and reports online and on the street, there was no planned protest. Lannie Walker of KSPN wanted to interview some concerned community members, so an e-mail was sent out and some came out to speak with her at the site, as well as to find out more about why hectares of land were being bulldozed only a few hundred yards away from Suicide Cliff’s lookout point.

John Scott, president of AMPRO, which is the company responsible for removing the UXO’s (unexploded orndance), introduced himself and spoke about the history of the area, and he showed us some of the ordnance they uncovered. He clarified that the bulldozing is necessary to get to the ordnance, and the removal of the ordnance was important, as the vast area was used as a UXO dumping ground shortly after WWII. Mr. Scott stressed that for safety and environmental reasons the ordnance needs to be removed.

Franz Reksid, Brownsfields project manager for DPL, reemphasized the need for the removal of the UXO’s and assured everyone present that the planned homestead project is still years away and funds still need to be allocated to go through with the project. He also stated that public hearings would be held before the Marpi homestead project moves forward.

I think everyone present was very appreciative of the explanations given by Mr. Scott and Mr. Reksid. Mr. Scott added that there were public hearings conducted years back regarding the removal of UXO’s but only one person, Ruth Tighe, showed up.

What is important to note here is that few people I have spoken to are opposed to the removal of UXO’s. What we are opposed to is any type of development in Marpi, as I stated earlier in a letter to the editor.

I sincerely hope that our leaders keep their promise, which is to hold public hearings before moving forward with the homestead project. The community needs to be heard rather than ignored.

While Mr. Reksid mentioned the need for homestead development, as there are almost 4,000 on the homestead waiting list, we also need to recognize the importance of tourism, which is our bread and butter, as well as land preservation and conservation. Do we really want to turn Saipan into another Singapore, or another Waikiki? That is something for all of us to decide, and not just our leaders.

I thank each and every person, whether they are for or against the Marpi Homestead Project, for voicing their concerns. I also thank Mr. Scott and Mr. Reksid for their time. Let us continue to be vigilant and work together to ensure that the fate of Marpi will be thoroughly discussed in a series of public hearings before any homesteads are given out and before more precious public land is leased out for a fraction of what it is really worth. A master plan for Saipan cannot be developed without the proper input from our community. After all, we are the true shareholders of Saipan Incorporated.

In closing, I want to share with you a Kenyan proverb that was given to me by a dear friend: “We have not inherited this land from our ancestors; rather, we have borrowed it from our children.”