FLASHBACK — April 1999-2003
JAL upbeat on tourist arrivals[/B]
Japan Airlines has vowed to bring in more tourists to the Northern Marianas after the Commonwealth Ports Authority decided to provide incentives to various carriers to increase arrivals. The CPA board approved a 50 percent cut in departure and arrival fees effective Mary 1, 1999 through February 29, 2000 to airlines that can provide an additional 15 percent increase in the average number of passengers that they bring in to the CNMI. “We are happy with the incentives and hopefully, it will help us bring in more passengers,” a JAL official said. Any savings during the period may be used by the airline to promote the Northern Marianas in Japan.
Rep. Bob Franks (R-NJ) has joined the leading Democrat Rep.John Dingell (D-MI) to co-sponsor President’s Clinton’s proposed $187 million per year tariff on textiles and apparel products shipped to the mainland U.S. from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), the Tribune has learned. Tariffs are taxes and they are bad enough in any form. They are paid by American consumers in higher prices. But the tariff Franks is supporting is particularly egregious because CNMI is part of the United States. It is an official territory of the U.S., like the western area of the U.S. was before it was divided into states. The 28,000 permanent residents of CNMI are full citizens of the U.S., and the Constitution rules there as ultimate law. So the Franks tariff is like imposing a tariff on goods madein New Jersey and shipped to New York. What will Clinton think ofnext, a tariff on states with two Republican Senators?
[B]April 29, 2002Suspected bank fraud scheme foiled[/B]
A businessman and a former bank CEO were indicted Friday before the US District Court on allegations that both defendants, with two other co-conspirators, schemed to defraud approximately $6.6 million from the Bank of Saipan from December 2001 to February 2002. The federal grand jury indictment leveled against Bert Douglas Montgomery, 63, former BoS Board Chair Tomas B. Aldan, 56, Dusean Berkich and Michael T. Wilson, alleged that the four plotted to fraudulently obtain control of the local banking institution by making false representations, among others. One such misrepresentation, according to the indictment charges, portrayed Montgomery as a wealthy and experienced businessman who had the financial means to buy the majority of the bank’s stock.
[B]BoS assures security of bank deposits[/B]The $6.6 million fraud case allegedly perpetrated by white-collar professionals against the Bank of Saipan will not deter the local banking institution from carrying out its mission, the BoS management assured last week. This, as major shareholders also vouched for the security of the bank’s deposits. “When this matter first came to light, the bank took immediate and appropriate action to insure the security of the bank’s deposits,” the BoS said. For one, the bank said it has terminated all actions by those involved in the multi-count indictment. Further, the bank has also initiated an exhaustive review of the bank’s financial portfolio, as well as, and installed a new president and Chief Executive Officer, Ben R. Fitial.
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April 29, 2003
CRMO beefs up manpower[/B]
CRMO Administrator Joaquin D. Salas yesterday disclosed that he is tapping the services of a Washington-based executive to fill the position of deputy director, which has been vacant for more than four months. The CRMO is now processing the employment document of Steve Willey. Once completed, he will be the second highest official in the agency. Salas said Tilley has background in coastal management. Tilley would replace Kerry P. Pate, who relinquished the position last December.
[B]Miss Teen buckles down to hard work[/B]Miss Teen CNMI winners disclosed plans to work closely with the Marianas Visitors Authority in promoting the Northern Marianas as a safe destination for tourists. Barely a month after being crowned Miss Teen CNMI, 17-year-old Remylyn Julene Guerrero believes that her duties transcend the pomp and glamour of her title, saying that she’s prepared to do more than just parading with her crown and sash. Guerrero, Miss Teen CNMI First Runner-Up Carmine Patrice Jack Babauta, and Second Runner-Up Jocelyn Nicole Palacios are buckling down to take their roles as ambassadors of the Commonwealth’s youths.