{"id":38450,"date":"2014-06-11T04:00:14","date_gmt":"2014-06-10T18:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=38450"},"modified":"2014-06-11T04:00:14","modified_gmt":"2014-06-10T18:00:14","slug":"flashback-june-2006-june-2008-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/flashback-june-2006-june-2008-4\/","title":{"rendered":"Flashback \u2013 June 2006-June 2008"},"content":{"rendered":"

June 11, 2006<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rota flights to be suspended<\/strong><\/p>\n

Continental Connection, operated by Cape Air, announced Friday that it would suspend flight services to the Northern Mariana Island of Rota, effective Oct. 12, 2006. The airline cites a number of factors in its decision to suspend the service, including weak market demand and increasing fuel costs. Since the inception of service, fuel costs doubled, which severely impacted the viability of this marginally performing market.
\nContinental Connection began daily service between Guam and Rota on July 1, 2004. The airline worked with the Marianas Visitors Authority, the Guam Visitors Bureau, and the local visitors industry to promote Rota. \u201cIn spite of our efforts to promote this beautiful island, the Rota routes performed poorly for us,\u201d said Cape Air regional administrator Russell Price.<\/p>\n

Business group to focus on alternative energy<\/strong><\/p>\n

Looking at alternative energy sources as a way to reduce the islands\u2019 reliance on imported fuel, the local business community will invite regional experts to speak on renewable or alternative energies in this year\u2019s Marianas Roundtable. The economic summit is set for August 31 this year. Saipan Chamber of Commerce president Charles V. Cepeda said speakers from Singapore, the Philippines, and Australia \u201crepresenting the energy field will be invited to speak specifically about alternative energy.\u201d The first Marianas Roundtable, which was held in May last year, mainly tackled telecommunications issues.<\/p>\n

June 11, 2007<\/strong><\/p>\n

OPA urged to expedite CUC bid protest<\/strong><\/p>\n

A lawmaker has urged the public auditor to act fast on a contractor\u2019s protest in relation to the power utility privatization bid. Rep. Stanley T. Torres raised concern that no action has been taken on the protest filed by Telesource CNMI Inc. The company said the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. charged unreasonable fees and set vague criteria for the privatization of its power operations. \u201cGiven the importance of this CUC endeavor to the participating firms, local businesses, and community members, all parties have an interest in knowing that this procurement is being handled in a timely and appropriate way. \u201cThough there are many lingering questions regarding the timing and structure of this particular procurement, the non-responsiveness of the regulatory and appeal agencies is also a matter of continuing concern,\u201d Torres told public auditor Michael S. Sablan in a June 6, 2007 letter.<\/p>\n

6 new retirees\u2019 pension claims on hold<\/strong><\/p>\n

The NMI Retirement Fund has allowed six government employees to retire but put their benefits claims on hold amid legal issues surrounding the implementation of proportionate pension scheme. \u201cAll these applicants (six employees) were allowed to retire, as the Board decided to go through the regular administrative procedures before implementing any change in benefit calculation,\u201d said Fund administrator Mark A. Aguon in an e-mail. He said the six individuals are \u201cprocess-hold applicants\u201d to refer to \u201cemployees who applied for retirement benefits, but whose applications were put on hold, because of the uncertainty of the implementation of the proportionate pension plan.\u201d<\/p>\n

June 11, 2008<\/strong><\/p>\n

General discussion on federalization with DOI<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and a visiting group of federal officials only briefly touched on immigration \u201cfederalization\u201d during their meeting yesterday. Doug Domenech, the Department of the Interior\u2019s acting deputy assistant secretary for insular affairs, said the U.S. government\u2019s nearing takeover of local immigration was discussed \u201cin a very general way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fitial cites improved relations with Interior<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial said his administration is now enjoying a good relationship with the Department of the Interior. Doug Domenech, the Interior Department\u2019s acting deputy assistant for insular affairs, led a team of federal officials on a two-day visit to the Commonwealth earlier this week. In a press conference yesterday, the Interior Department officials announced the approval of a $50,000 grant for the CNMI\u2019s economic study. This is in addition to the $75,000 that the agency previously released for the project.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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