Dr. Rita Inos Remembered....

The Middle Roaders are one with the islands mourning Dr. Rita Inos' death. We wish the family our condolences.

As far as we've personally known her as a public servant, she has been a symbol of leadership, intelligence and compassion for the island's children. She will surely be missed.

For full story click here....

Tina Sablan to Run for Senate

It's official. Facebook friends announced it. Finally, Rep. Tina Sablan sent out a mass email about it that she is climbing up the upper chamber. She is running for the Senate for these reasons (extracted from her letter):

1. First, I would continue to advocate for greater transparency in the Senate as I have done these past 18 months in the House, and would continue to openly communicate my positions on the issues and actions taken in the Legislature as I have done as a member of the House.

2. Second, the Senate plays an important role in many ways as a check on the actions of the lower House, which is and has been the primary source of legislation of all kinds; I would take this role as seriously as I have taken every vote I have cast as a member of the House.

3. (And) third, I believe that as a Senator I would be in an excellent position to help improve the process by which confirmations of appointments to critical government boards and commissions are made. Advice and consent for board and commission appointments are functions unique to the Senate for the most part, and unfortunately these functions have not been carried out as diligently as they should have been in prior years, with often negative consequences. As Senator I would be committed to carefully scrutinizing the backgrounds and qualifications of all gubernatorial nominations, and exploring ways to improve the confirmation process formally through legislation.

Right move? You tell us....

When a Period Is the End of a Sentence....

Verdict is out. The numbers are 87, 78 and 78...That is Villagomez, James and Joaquina Santos....Fair? You tell me....

Full Story picked from Saipan Tribune...

Villagomez sentenced to 87 months in prison

Former lieutenant governor Timothy P. Villagomez, former Commerce Secretary James A. Santos, and Joaquina V. Santos, were sentenced today in the District Court of the Northern Mariana Islands as follows:

Villagomez was sentenced to 87 months imprisonment, three years supervised release and restitution in the amount of $346,125;

James A. Santos was sentenced to 78 months imprisonment, three years supervised release, a fine of $25,000 and restitution in the amount of $346,125; and

Joaquina V. Santos was sentenced to 78 months imprisonment, three years
supervised release, a fine of $25,000 and $346,125 restitution.

All three defendants are jointly and severally liable for the $346,125 restitution to the
Commonwealth Utilities Corporation.

Gubernatorial Verbal Battle....

Debate Highlights:

1. CUC is broken - Juan Pan
2. CUC "was" broken, not anymore - Gov. Fitial
3. Lt. Gov. candidate Dr. David Borja present not his running mate.
4. Borja said "right fuel" should be acquired for CUC.
5. Borja's team to kill fuel surcharge.
6. Fitial said his current admin "allocates over 20 percent of the general fund to primary and secondary education, a lot more than the 15 percent mandated by the Constitution."
7. Juan Pan questioned otherwise.
8. Heinz dug up for the CNMI and US DEA relations.
9. Fitial said there's a misunderstanding there.
10. Fitial said DEA is stricter due to local enforcers' involvement.
11. Guerrero agreed with Fitial but to avoid "politicking."
12. Heinz said to bring the "Hafa Adai" spirit in this economy.
13. Candidates said teen pregnancy is the most pressing youth issue.

This time the candidates were seated. I don't think some candidates' knees could take the "debate" standing anymore...

Full story here.

Just Fined...

KGMB reports that Tan Holdings sister company L&T Group of Compannies has been fined and agreed to pay a whopping $1.7M to settle series of lawsuits with regard to its labor practices.

The report said that "the three-year, court-enforced consent decree will resolve four EEOC discrimination lawsuits against the employers and their affiliates: Tan Holdings Corporation; Tan Holdings Overseas, Inc.; Concorde Garment Manufacturing Corp.; Micro Pacific, Inc.; Seasonal Inc.; and L&T International Corp.

The EEOC filed the cases in U.S. District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands."

Police...Puhleeez, Not Again!

I know. The police officer implicated to a burglary is still just a suspect, however, it's sad to know that the police officers we entrust our public safety could be accomplices to crimes around the island.

Okay. Not bitter here (ya think) though we lost our laptops some years ago and never got it back.

Are we ever going to feel safe ever again after this report?

I'm Forever Yours Faithfully....

'Brings back memories whenever the band, Journey, sings this song...

Yet, it couldn't stop me to wonder what had happened when the Juan-Galvin campaign manager jumped over the other party's fence, so I've heard and read. This makes me think, is the Heinz-Arnold tandem sure that the island's Republicans will really go and vote for them? Or, how are they going to know for sure that the Juan-Galvin supporters will have their votes this coming elections?

As we've said before, if the islands want the current administration to change, why divide the opposition?

I personally see that the green color will still be the fad this year. Of course, I could be wrong too...

Rename Game

A bill is reportedly introduced to rename the Northern Marianas College to "Gov. Carlos S. Camacho, Northern Marianas College to honor the former chief executive." Hmmm.....

Does this mean if we refer to the college in the future we will have to say GCSC-NMC or CSC-NMC? Way too long...

As the bill honors the former governor of the CNMI that led to the establishment of the community college, why can't we just name a building or a wing after his glory? Why does it have to be the entire college? It's a state college not a private one right?

But, who we are to decide anyway. It's still just a bill about a name game.

Well, here's to waiting for a bill to provide more incentives such as scholarships for local students to motivate them, and to enhance their skills and intellect so they can be more productive citizens of the CNMI. Cheers!

"He's Making A List, Checking it Twice..."

"Gonna find out who's naughty or nice..."

From the news recently, when defending lawyers wrote the DC about former Lt. Governor's virtues:

"Lawyer Robert T. Torres, who served as counsel for former Commonwealth Utilities Corp. executive director Anthony C. Guerrero in the Rydlyme corruption case, wrote a letter yesterday to the federal court to enumerate the good virtues of former Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez....“[Villagomez] is a good man who has committed a bad offense but Tim remains a brother and I remain grateful for his guiding hand in my formative years,” the former attorney general said." (ST)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

From the desk of Rep. Tina Sablan:

This is to announce that Professor Rose Cuison Villazor of Hofstra University Law School will be on island next week, delivering free public presentations on Article XII and U.S. immigration law.

The presentation on "Article XII and Other Blood Quantum Land Laws" is scheduled for Tuesday, July 7, 2009 @ the American Memorial Park Visitors Center from 6pm to 8pm.

The "Basic Family-Based and Employment-Based Immigration Law Workshop" is scheduled for July 8, 2009 @ the Multipurpose Center, from 7:30pm-9pm. Sponsored by the Coalition for the Recognition of Ethnic American Minorities (CREAM), this workshop will provide a general understanding of family-based and employment-based immigration law. Topics that may be covered include immigration petitions based on marriage to a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident; petitions filed by relatives who are U.S. citizens; and sponsorship by employers. The workshop will be designed for a general audience unfamiliar with federal immigration law.