The Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation can tap poker fees to help the Commonwealth Advocates for Recovery Efforts fund its continued rebuilding efforts on Saipan.<\/p>\n
In a presentation last Tuesday, CARE said it needs $650,000 to help the remaining 48 families whose homes were destroyed by Typhoon Soudelor in August 2015.<\/p>\n
Delegation chair Rep. John Paul \u201cJP\u201d Sablan (R-Saipan) said the group\u2019s other funding sources are either too insignificant or are restricted to fund other programs.<\/p>\n
The Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance program acquires $3.1 million from the poker fees, according to Saipan Local Law 18-07. Sablan mentioned that currently, the poker fees amount to a little over $4 million. Minus the $3.1 million, that leaves the delegation with about $900,000 in excess for other projects.<\/p>\n
\u201c[The poker fee] funding is one source that can help,\u201d Sablan told CARE director Jenny Hegland.<\/p>\n
Sablan told Hegland the delegation would look into assisting CARE after this October, since the poker arcades in the non-conforming areas designated by the Commonwealth Zoning Board have until then to operate.<\/p>\n
\u201cI told them I would find a source of funding to assist them,\u201d Sablan said, adding that he already informed Hegland that he \u201ccannot promise $650,000.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hegland said in an earlier interview with Saipan Tribune that even though there are only 48 families left, she expects another eight months to a year before recovery is 100 percent complete.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat means [another whole] typhoon season to secure all the resources. I am still working to do everything in our power to get the work done faster because we can experience [another] typhoon anytime here,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile I am optimistic that we are able to help everybody and raise the funds, I wish [aiding those in need] could be faster,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
Since its creation in late 2015, CARE has assisted 745 residents in need of labor or materials and has raised $2.4 million in resources.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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