Flashback – April 30, 1999-2002

[B][U]April 30, 1999[/U][/B] [B]Tourism slump eases[/B]

After showing a consistent decline since Asia’s financial crisis begun in July 1997, the Marianas Visitors Authority revealed that visitor arrivals has finally showed a slight improvement in March with a two percent increase, or a total of 44,249 compared to the same period last year. However, overall visitor arrivals record for the first six months of Fiscal Year 1999 is still 14 percent down compared to the same period of the previous year. The new arrivals record was released as Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio declared May as the tourism month to emphasize its importance to the Commonwealth as a source of revenues. During the proclamation signing, the governor noted the benefits derived from tourism, which include increased employment and promotion of inter-cultural understanding and education.

[B]$16 million PSS bond sold[/B]

After two years of delay, the Public School System, backed by the Commonwealth Development Authority, finally sold $15.6 million worth of bonds, paving the way for the implementation of stalled construction projects for the education sector. The bond will match the local requirements for the funding of projects under the Section 702 of the Covenant, which has been derailed by cash shortage. In a telephone conference held yesterday at CDA, executives from the Paine Webber and the California Financial Services confirmed the sale of the bond, ending two years of negotiations.

[B][U]April 30, 2001[/U][/B] [B]Anti-drug inspection beefed up[/B]

The CNMI Division of Customs has stepped up its anti-drug campaign by increasing the number of personnel deployed in several ports of entry to conduct surveillance and inspection of baggage. On Tinian, customs officers are seen conducting random inspection on arriving passengers including visiting tourists to check hand-carry bags and packages for possible entry of illegal drugs on island. Sniffing dogs are stationed at the San Jose Harbor on Tinian to detect uncontrolled substance possibly in possession of arriving visitors and residents through the ferry.

[B]House body reviewing anti-prostitution bill[/B]

The House Committee on Health and Welfare is now refining the amended version of the existing anti-sex trade law, which was conceived due to reports of widespread prostitution practices especially at the Western Garapan district. Rep. Malua T. Peter said her committee is strictly reviewing the proposed amendment to ensure that concerns raised by the Commonwealth’s law enforcement agencies are properly addressed. Ms. Peter said all proposals, including those that came from business organizations and the Department of Public Safety, were carefully considered for inclusion in the amended version of the anti-prostitution law.

[B][U]April 30, 2002[/U][/B] [B]Eyesore on Saipan beach[/B]

As she walked near the pathway along Beach Road, Marcy, a Saipan resident, noticed the abundance of brownish plant-like stuff on the shallow waters of the beach. She quickly reacted with a grin and said, “Of course not!”, when asked if she would like to swim there, which would have been refreshing on a hot, sunny day. “It looks dirty,” she added. What Marcy actually saw were dead seagrass that have invaded Saipan’s beaches stretching from across the pathway along Beach Road to the San Jose area. Division of Environmental Quality marine biologist Peter Houk, said the abundance of seagrass indicates the quality of water on the beach. If the grasses are abundant, it means that there are a lot of nutrients, he explained.

[B]Heinz cuts working hours of staff in wake of budget cuts[/B]

Setting the stage for the expected cutbacks in third and fourth quarter allotments, House Speaker Heinz S. Hofschneider disclosed that, starting yesterday, his office has begun instituting two-hour cuts in the working schedule of his staff, which means that his office will close by 2:30pm. In a general meeting held at the House chamber, Hofschneider also urged his fellow lawmakers to review their respective budgetary situations and implement the same cutbacks-whether a cut in the salaries or in the working hours of their personnel. The meeting was attended by lawmakers, their respective staff and personnel and employees of the Legislative Bureau.