China Lacks Variety

Quick note from the Saipan Middle Road Shanghai Bureau: It appears that the Marianas Variety website is one of the "objectional" websites that cannot be accessed from China. The Saipan Tribune website, however, is fully accessible from China. Conspiracy theories are welcome.

Less than $10 million is about $3 million

On Feb. 4, Marianas Variety reported that the former Nikko Hotel Saipan – now Palms Resort Saipan -- was acquired by UMDA for “less than $10 million,” a deal which Former Speaker Joe Lifoifoi, chairman of the UMDA board, described as “very fair” for both parties.

A more accurate price tag is “about $3 million,” according to Saipan Middle Road sources.

Lifoifoi could have told the media that UMDA bought the hotel for less than $5 million but he didn’t. Saipan Tribune didn’t even have a ballpark figure.

"Zero Foreign Workers by 2014"? April Fool's!

Today's Marianas Variety carried a story with the headline: "Revised federalization bill: Zero foreign workers by 2014." As we read this from our offices high atop the Saipan Middle Road worldwide corporate headquarters building, we wondered whether it could be true. So we dispatched an elite team from our Fact-Checking Department, having them fan out around the globe in search of The Truth.

Here is what they found: The headline is incorrect. Under the federalization bill, the special CNMI guest worker program lasts through the end of 2014, as does the special exemption from the U.S. national limits on the number of "H" employment visas for both skilled and unskilled workers. However, both the special CNMI guest worker program and the exemption from H visa limits can be extended indefinitely as needed. And the CNMI will be allowed to use these special programs in addition to the other means of bringing in foreign workers that are available to the rest of the U.S.

And what happens when these special programs are finally allowed to expire? Will that mean that all foreign workers will have to leave the CNMI? Absolutely not, according to our highly reliable sources. When these programs eventually expire, the CNMI will no longer have a special advantage over the rest of the country in admitting foreign workers. However, foreign workers will still be admitted to the CNMI according to the same rules that apply to the rest of the country. Some in the CNMI administration claim that the CNMI will not be able to take in foreign workers when it eventually loses its special privileges. If that were true, then how is it that every single state in the Union, as well as each territory that is subject to U.S. immigration control, has foreign workers? Anyone who doubts this need only take the 30-minute plane ride to Guam.

According to our fact-checking team, the story by Gemma Casas underneath the headline in question is accurate. It is only the headline (likely written by someone else) that is misleading. We think this error is understandable, given the constant (but completely wrong) drum beat from some quarters that the federalization bill will require all foreign workers to leave the CNMI.

This has been a public service of Saipan Middle Road.

Kudos to EE of MV!

Here's an article written by the famous EE of Marianas Variety:

Beautify CNMI! fundraising concert on March 27

By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

BEAUTIFY CNMI! and the Hotel Association of Northern Marianas Islands will hold a fundraising concert on March 27 at the World Resort Hotel in Susupe that will feature ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro of Hawaii.

The Variety’s report on Friday incorrectly described the event as an anniversary dinner.

Beautify CNMI! volunteer Angelo Villagomez — who is no longer the executive director of the Mariana Islands Nature Alliance as incorrectly reported on Friday — said HANMI is the event’s co-sponsor.

Friends of the Mariana Islands is a community partner, but “they are not Japanese” as stated by Friday’s report.

The ticket price — not “prize” — for a child under 12 is $15 and $25 for an adult.

Beautify CNMI! is selling tickets, not giving out prizes.

Tickets are available at the Marianas Eye Institute, the Century Hotel and the World Resort Hotel.

The coalition started out as a series of cleanup and tree planting campaigns on Saipan two years ago, and consists of volunteers who are trying “to make the CNMI a better place to live.”

Also this month, the group will give out the Beautify CNMI! Steward and Beautify CNMI! Champion awards to recognize the individuals or groups who have been environmental leaders during the past 12 months.

Last year’s Environmental Champion winners were Public School System teacher Bree Reynolds, Mariana Islands Nature Alliance board member Kathy Yuknavage, and local activist Capt. Carl Brachear. The winners of the Environmental Steward award were elementary school student Adam Sablan and the volunteer group Friends of the Mariana Islands.

Maybe the editor was clipping his nails when EE submitted the previous article. Just a thought.

Saipan Tribune vs Marianas Variety

There you go. At least 55 readers voted in this poll. Saipan Tribune and Marianas Variety's online edition tied with 43.6 percent of the votes. That means the voters would usually go online to read what's the latest in the CNMI. Residents from North and South Carolina, California and Massachusetts also cast their votes on this poll.

However, 36 percent of the readers grab the hard copy of Saipan Tribune more than the Marianas Variety (30 percent). Pacific Daily News got 1.8 percent votes both on its online and hard copy editions.

Pacific Times...nil...zilch...zero.

Thanks for voting!!!!

Federalization vs Federalization

Our top reporter, E.E. is at it again informing the CNMI public that what it reported earlier about the Governor's special adviser's comments on federalization. It was reported that the adviser believed that guest workers are required to leave the island in two years after the federal takeover of the immigration system.

Now, the paper reports that someone from the federal committee is contradicting the adviser's statements earlier.

What raised my brows again is that the reporter did not name the source and reported it. I guess the source is too reliable to counter the adviser's statements. However, this is E.E. reporting....

Hmmm...

The Reveler

Headline Times Four?

I haven't been checking the printed newspaper lately especially the Marianas Variety. Browsing through their website I noticed the headline story last Friday (at least online) was about "Japanese investors trying to help the CNMI." What baffled me was the "Part 4" written after the title. Of course, I had assumed that it was the fourth part of the written story.

If this were the case, all I can is that Emmanuelle Erediano must be serious with his job now? I can't imagine a daily newspaper would have to cut their headlines into four publication dates? If it were a special report, that's understandable for me.

Do you actually believe what this guy writes?

You tell me....

The Reveler

Saipan Blogger vs. Hypercritical Thinker

Alas! These prominent bloggers are taking print media by "tropical" storm with their writing whims. Hypercritical thinker Jeff Turbitt writes for Marianas Variety and we read his column every Wednesday. Now Saipan Blogger Angelo Villagomez will soon be writing for Saipan Tribune. He just made the deal yesterday.

I wonder what could he be writing? Environment of course, but we will see about that. Villagomez for us is equally "hypercritical" of things.

Congratulations Saipan Blogger. Now, you can write about anonymous comments for the island to read and ponder upon!

Kudos to both!

Controlling prostitution?

Saipan may learn from an Italian town mayor`s proposal to help deter prostitution and punish those who patronize it, as reported by Reuters: By taking photos of vehicles that pick the girls up and publishing the number plates in local newspapers.

In Saipan`s case, will Variety and Tribune step up to the plate as well?

The mayor said he planned to give local police digital cameras and instruct them to photograph any cars seen stopping to liaise with prostitutes on the side of the street.

While the number of prostitutes on Italian streets has increased dramatically in recent years that prompted the Vatican last week to call for new laws to punish clients of prostitution, the mayor said his reasons for tackling prostitution were entirely secular and far more mundane.

"I think it's more important to protect the rights of citizens who have to be at work early but are kept up at night by the sound of cars," he told Reuters.

In Saipan, there`s no credible government data on the number of prostitutes. Ever. All they say is that it`s increasing.

Marine Dive Magazine hails CNMI

This news comes from the Trib:

The CNMI has received six diving awards from Marine Dive Magazine, based on votes cast by the magazine's readers, according to the Marianas Visitors Authority yesterday.

First place award went to Managaha Island as the best snorkeling spot.

The CNMI also won three fourth-place awards and two fifth-place awards. The fourth place awards were for Best Beach - Managaha Island, Best Diving Area - Saipan, Tinian and Rota and Best Diving Area Saipan. The two 5th place awards were for Best Beach - Teteto Beach Rota and Best Resort Area - Saipan, Tinian and Rota.

“We are thrilled to receive these prestigious awards,” said MVA managing director Perry Tenorio. “Having our islands featured in Marine Dive Magazine will assist us in promoting the CNMI as a great dive destination.”

Isn't it nice to know that readers of that magazine voted for the Marianas.

The Reveler

Media acquisitions

Saipan Tribune owner Tan family will acquire Marianas Variety and Pacific Times for an undisclosed amount. Marianas Variety and Pacific Times have been having financial difficulty to a point where employees` salaries have been reduced by 10 percent since 2006 and have always been delayed in payment of workers` wages. Tan Holdings, meanwhile, after the closure of its controversial garment factory and a halt in equally controversial poker operations, has focused its resources on hotels and newspapers, among other things, thus the planned acquisition of Marianas Variety, which turned 35 years old on March 16, and newcomer Pacific Times. MCV, meanwhile is up for sale.

Gotcha there ha? This is only a joke. The acquisitions and closure are not true. It`s April 1 after all. Happy April Fool`s Day!