Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

(Taken from Saipan Tribune - 10/18-08)

In Their Own Words
What makes you the best candidate for delegate to Congress?

The following are the responses of the Delegate candidates to questions posed by American government teacher Ambrose Bennett. The questions were posed to all nine Delegate candidates. This week, two submitted their responses by the deadline. This is the last part of the series.

* * *

By PETE A. TENORIO
Special to the Saipan Tribune

The following points should be seriously considered by all voters as some of my truly unique attributes applicable to “Why I am the best candidate” to be your Delegate to Congress:

- Seven years have been spent working cordially and productively with members of both Houses of Congress and their staff.

- In addition to working relationships, friendships with members and staff have been developed. This will prove valuable in influencing legislation.

- Administration offices are very familiar. Here again, friendships and working relationships have been cultivated with officials and staff which will be a big asset.

- Considering that this position is only for two years, I am ready to “hit the ground running” to get things done for our people. I will not have to waste a year just learning the ropes.

- The staff of the Resident Representative's office are knowledgeable and experienced in dealing with all aspects of Washington , D.C. politics, both in Congress and the Administration. I hope to be able to bring at least part of this wealth of knowledge into your Delegate office. These staff will also not need a year just to learn what they should be doing.

The Washington Representative's Annual Report details many of the successes and accomplishments I have helped to bring about and of which am extremely proud. Please call my local office for a copy at 664-5651.

* * *

By CHONG MAN WON
Special to the Saipan Tribune

I believe I am the best candidate because I am not politically affiliated. I do not have anyone behind me pulling my strings and telling me what to do. There are people giving me advice and their opinions but at the end of the day, I know which are for their own interest and which are for the people's interest.

There are other candidates who desire to introduce legislation to help the CNMI. This is and always will be a part of the delegate's responsibility. However, this process will take time and in some instances, the entire two years will pass before any action is taken. For example, Representative Donna Christensen of the Virgin Islands introduced legislation in the 108th Congress to amend the Social Security Act to remove the cap on medical payments for Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, CNMI and American Samoa. This bill was introduce on Feb. 11, 2003 and was referred to the subcommittee on health on Feb. 26, 2003, which was the last major action. Again in the 109th Congress, Representative Christensen introduced the same legislation on Jan. 4, 2005, and on Feb. 4, 2005, it was referred to the subcommittee on health. In the 110th Congress, this time Representative Luis Fortuno of Puerto Rico introduced a similar bill to remove the cap medical payments for the insular areas on Jan. 22, 2007, and on Feb. 2, 2007, it was referred to the subcommittee on health. In the 109th Congress, Representative Christensen introduced legislation to convey certain submerge lands to the government of Virgin Islands on Jan. 6, 2005, which was referred to the committee on resources on Jan. 6, 2005. In the 110th Congress, Representative Christensen introduced the same legislation on Jan. 4, 2007, which again was referred to committee on natural resources and referred to subcommittee on insular affairs and on July 9, 2007, committee hearings were held. She also in the 110th Congress introduced a similar bill in June 28, 2007, except the distance requested was changed from 12 miles to 9 miles. This bill was also referred to committee on natural resources then referred to subcommittee on insular affairs. How about Representative Madeleine Bordallo from Guam? She introduced legislation in the 109th Congress to amend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to include Guam on June 15, 2005, and on June 15, 2005, it was referred to the committee on Judiciary. She again introduced the same legislation on Aug. 7, 2007 and on Sept. 10, 2007 it was referred to the subcommittee on immigration, citizenship, refugees, border security and international law. These are some examples of good intended legislations, out of many, to help their people, that have not been acted on by Congress. Don't get me wrong, we need to introduce legislations but we have to be realistic that it takes time for it to make a difference.

I believe we need to correct our basic necessities such as affordable, reliable and clean drinking water before we move on to other issues. This task is achievable in the next two years, which can benefit the lives of people within our community. There are federal assistances, which are already in place that can help. These are not handouts but programs and assistances other places are taking advantages of. Why should we be left behind? Some example of missed opportunities: On Sept. 8, 2008, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced $22.1 million in business development loans and grants for 71 recipients in 37 states and two territories. On Aug 27, 2008, USDA, “announced that 639 individuals and businesses in 43 states and the Virgin Islands have been selected to receive $35 million in grants and loan guarantees for renewable energy systems or to improve energy efficiency in farm and business operations.” On Aug 22, 2008, USDA announced $677 million in loans for new electric lines and system improvements in 19 states. On Aug 15, 2008, USDA announced $547 million in loans and grants to provide safe drinking water and improved wastewater treatment systems for rural towns and communities. On July 30, 2008, USDA announced $447.5 million in loans to build new distribution lines and make system improvements for 24 rural utilities in 20 states. On May 30, 2008, USDA Rural Development announced that 17 organizations have been selected to receive $19.9 million to help rural residents and businesses become more energy efficient. The funds are being awarded through USDA Rural Development's High Energy Cost Grant program. Among the projects selected this year is a planned wind turbine and control system for the existing diesel generating plant serving the community of Kokhanok, Alaska. The wind diesel system, to be constructed with a $999,227 grant, is expected to save the community an estimated $100,000 a year in fuel costs. Under the USDA there are programs such as Assistance to High Energy Cost Communities, RUS High Energy Cost Grant Program, Rural Business Opportunity Grants and Bulk Fuel Revolving Fund Grant Program, just to name a few. We have to actively research and pursue them. I know people will say we are not eligible under these programs but isn't that the job of the delegate to find out why and how can we be eligible? There are other opportunities resulting from the 2008 Farm Bill and the Energy Independence and Security Act for the CNMI but we cannot just sit and expect that the United Congress will say, “here you go.” These are other programs and grants to help education, health and even farmers and ranchers.

Instead of placing blames, we need to look at how we can help now and how we can better the lives of our people. If we continue to talk and make promises without actions, we will never move forward. Let's not be fooled by promises of fixing every problem in the CNMI because if you try to do 10 to 20 different things at once, we will have 10 to 20 unfinished items. Let's be focused on a few and accomplish them before moving on.

Again, I'd like to close by saying, “Some say he lacks experience but I say experience doesn't guarantee success. Look at where experience has led us. Lack of experience can be a good thing because it makes us ask 'WHY' and 'HOW' instead of 'IT WON'T WORK' and 'I KNOW BETTER'. It can motivate us and motivation leads to hard work and hard work leads to success. Some say he's an outsider but I say my wife (Dora Ulloa Palacios-Won) is local; my kids are local so how can I be an outsider? Please don't judge me for what I am but who I am, a husband, a father, your friend, your neighbor who is willing to make a difference for the betterment of the CNMI. Come this November 4th, I humbly ask for your vote of confidence.

LOAD SHEDDING SCHEDULE

The revised load-shedding schedule is as follows:

8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Feeder-2: Entire Grid
Portions of Lower Base, CPA (Seaport), Beach Road Garapan south to San Jose Intersection

Feeder-4: Entire Grid
Portions of Lower Base, Sadog Tasi, Capital Hill, Kagman and portions of Papago (Botanical Garden)

Feeder-7: Entire Grid
Lower Base industrial area, north to Tanapag, Achugao, San Roque, As Matuis and Marpi

11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Feeder-3: Second partial
Upper Gualo Rai, Taro Sue

Kiya-4: Entire Grid
Chalan Kiya, San Jose, Oleai, Susupe, Mount Carmel and south to portions of Chalan Kanoa

Kiya 1: Entire Grid
As Terlaje, NMC,Botanical Garden, Portions of Fina Sisu, Lower Dandan, Upper Dandan, Homestead, Isley Field, Kanat Tabla

2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Feeder-1 Second partial
Upper Navy Hill, Upper MIHA, 99 Cents Store

Kiya-2: Entire Grid
As Lito, Koblerville, As Gonno, San Antonio and Afetnas, portions of Fina Sisu

5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Feeder-3: Second partial
Upper Gualo Rai, Taro Sue

Kiya-4: Entire Grid
Chalan Kiya, San Jose, Oleai, Susupe, Mount Carmel and south to portions of Chalan Kanoa

Kiya 1: Entire Grid
As Terlaje, NMC,Botanical Garden, Portions of Fina Sisu, Lower Dandan, Upper Dandan, Homestead, Isley Field, Kanat Tabla

8:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. Feeder-1 Second partial
Upper Navy Hill, Upper MIHA, 99 Cent store

Kiya-2: Entire Grid
As Lito, Koblerville, As Gonno, San Antonio and Afetnas, portions of Fina Sisu

11:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m. Feeder-3: Second partial
Upper Gualo Rai, Taro Sue

Kiya-4: Entire Grid
Chalan Kiya, San Jose, Oleai, Susupe, Mount Carmel and south to portions of Chalan Kanoa

Kiya 1: Entire Grid
As Terlaje, NMC,Botanical Garden, Portions of Fina Sisu, Lower Dandan, Upper Dandan, Homestead, Isley Field, Kanat Tabla

2:00 a.m.-5:00 a.m. Feeder-2: Entire Grid
Portions of Lower Base, CPA (Seaport), Beach Road Garapan south to San Jose Intersection

Feeder-4: Entire Grid
Portions of Lower Base, Sadog Tasi, Capital Hill, Kagman and portions of Papago (Botanical Garden)

Feeder-7: Entire Grid
Lower Base industrial area, north to Tanapag, Achugao, San Roque, As Matus and Marpi

5:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. Feeder-1 Second partial
Upper Navy Hill, Upper MIHA, 99 Cent store

Kiya-2: Entire Grid
As Lito, Koblerville, As Gonno, San Antonio and Afetnas, portions of Fina Sisu

Source: Commonwealth Utilities Corp.

Load Shedding Schedule for Aug. 30 - Sept. 5, 2008

Load Shedding Schedule

Editor's Note: The following schedule is for Aug. 30 through Sept. 5, 2008.

The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. said that, due to ongoing mechanical repairs of the crankpin bearings on Engine 2, the load shedding schedule for the upcoming week has been amended to reflect the available power supply. Mechanical repairs on Engine 8 was to be completed by Friday; however, due additional unanticipated repairs, the completion time will not be until today. Currently, engines 3 and 6 are the only two units operational at Power Plant 1. CUC apologizes for any inconvenience the load shedding schedule has imposed on the community and will continue to work diligently to resolve the problem.

8:00 a.m.-11 a.m.Feeder-1: Second Partial
Upper Navy Hill
Upper MIHA
99 Cent store

Feeder-2: Entire Grid
Portions of Lower Base, CPA (Seaport), Beach Road Garapan south to San Jose intersection

Feeder-7: Entire Grid
Lower Base industrial area, north to Tanapag, Achugao, San Roque, As Matuis and Marpi
11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Feeder-3: Second partial
Upper Gualo Rai
Taro Sue

Kiya-1: Entire Grid
As Terlaje, NMC, Portions of Fina Sisu, San Vicente to Botanical Garden, Lower Dandan Homestead, Upper Dandan Homestead, Isley Field

Kiya-4: Entire Grid
Chalan Kiya, San Jose, Oleai, Susupe, Mount Carmel and south to portions of Chalan Kanoa

2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Feeder-1: Second Partial
Feeder-1: Second Partial
Upper Navy Hill
Upper MIHA
99 Cent store

Feeder-2: Entire Grid
Portions of Lower Base, CPA (Seaport), Beach Road Garapan south to San Jose intersection

Feeder-7: Entire Grid
Lower Base industrial area, north to Tanapag, Achugao, San Roque, As Matuis and Marpi

5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Feeder-3: Second partial
Upper Gualo Rai
Taro Sue

Kiya-1: Entire Grid
As Terlaje, NMC, Portions of Fina Sisu, San Vicente to Botanical Garden, Lower Dandan Homestead, Upper Dandan Homestead, Isley Field

Kiya-4: Entire Grid
Chalan Kiya, San Jose, Oleai, Susupe, Mount Carmel and south to portions of Chalan Kanoa

8:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. Feeder-4: Entire Grid
Portions of Lower Base, Sadog Tasi, Capital Hill, Kagman and portions of Papago (Botanical Garden)

Kiya-2: Entire Grid
As Lito, Koblerville, As Gonno, San Antonio and Afetnas, portions of Fina Sisu

11:00 a.m.-2:00 am Feeder-3: Second partial
Upper Gualo Rai
Taro Sue

Kiya 1: Entire Grid
As Terlaje, NMC, Portions of Fina Sisu, San Vicente to Botanical Garden, Lower Dandan Homestead, Upper Dandan Homestead, Isley Field

Kiya-4: Entire Gried
Chalan Kiya, San Jose, Oleai, Suspe, Mount Carmel and south to portions of Chalan Kanoa
2:00 a.m.-5:00 a.m. Feeder-1: Second Partial Upper Navy Hill
Upper MIHA
99 Cent store

Feeder-2: Entire Grid
Portions of Lower Base, CPA (Seaport), Beach Road Garapan south to San Jose intersection

Feeder-7: Entire Grid
Lower Base industrial area, north to Tanapag, Achugao, San Roque, As Matuis and Marpi

5:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m. Feeder-4: Entire Grid
Portions of Lower Base, Sadog Tasi, Capital Hill, Kagman and portions of Papago (Botanical Garden)

Kiya-2: Entire Grid
As Lito, Koblerville, As Gonno, San Antonio, Afetnas, portions of Fina Sisu

CUC will try to keep to this contingent schedule. It may, however, be modified in future public notices. In addition, the schedule may also be altered to address particular emergencies when necessary. (CUC)

Fitial Statement of August 15, 2008

Rep. Tina's Call for Impeachment....

(The following speech was delivered during House Session on Aug. 22)

The recent federal indictments of the Lieutenant Governor, the Commerce Secretary, the Lieutenant Governor's sister, and the former Executive Director of CUC have dealt a crushing blow to public confidence in government. The tentative responses of lawmakers and other public officials to the indictments have only rubbed salt in the people's wounds. The lieutenant governor must step down. There is no question about that. Even if there is a chance that he might ultimately be acquitted of criminal charges in court – in the hearts and minds of so many our people, he has lost all credibility, and should not be allowed to remain in public office. Our personal relationships with him do not matter. All that should matter is the public trust. He must step down. I urge this body to take a clear and united position on this issue, on behalf of our constituents, to urge Mr. Villagomez, in the strongest terms possible, to resign from his position, or be removed.
We must also challenge the increasingly autocratic methods of the Governor. The people are clamoring for a recall, for impeachment, for the Legislature to take some kind of meaningful stance against the parade of weakly-justified emergency declarations, unconstitutional executive orders, highly suspicious sole-source contracts, nonsensical threats of litigation against the federal government, failures to pay employer contributions the Retirement Fund or to pay down the deficit – the list goes on and on.
The Governor's actions might be, at the end of the day, technically legal. But they are fundamentally, ethically, and morally wrong. Taken together, they add up to dereliction of duty. Taken together, they add up to a staggering betrayal of the public trust.
I do not deny the Governor's constant reminders that he inherited a mess of problems from previous administrations – but I do hold him accountable for making things worse during his administration, and I hold this body accountable for enabling him every step of the way when we have either ignored or outright endorsed his failed policies.
It is my view that there is no longer a question of whether or not we have the grounds to pursue impeachment proceedings against this Governor, but whether or not we have the will and the courage to do so. But even if this body is not willing to do so, we can, at the very least, refuse to be complicit in the Governor's constant abuses of power and resolve to restore public confidence in the checks and balances of democracy wherever this Governor – and we, by our consent -- have shattered that confidence. We can, at the very least, cut his budget and restrain his ability to do further harm to the economy, to the morale of our community, to our relations with the federal government, and to the public trust.
And while I am on the subject of the budget, I must ask, what is the status of FY 09 budget? The budget is essentially the government's plan for the year. The silence about the progress we are making with respect to the budget for Fiscal Year 2009 is deafening. Has the committee returned the budget to the governor to correct the serious discrepancies that have been identified in his initial submittal? Are meaningful efforts being made to prioritize essential services, cut costs, pay down the deficit, and remit employer contributions to the Retirement Fund? Whatever happened to public budget hearings? I am deeply worried that we will be repeating the budget fiascos of past years – which is that no budget was passed, no real government downsizing occurred, the deficit continued to balloon, pensions were denied to eligible retirees, and political hirings continued even as hard-working and competent government employees saw their salaries slashed.
Our people grow increasingly demoralized, increasingly angry, and increasingly restless. I have heard talks about mass demonstrations on the hill and in the streets, uprisings, and alarmingly, violence and sabotage. Our people are reaching a breaking point. They have had it with business as usual in this government. They have had it with misspent public funds and misdirected priorities. They have had it with rolling blackouts and contaminated water, or no water at all. They have had it with the soaring cost of living. They have had it with the petty games, the cronyism, and the short-sightedness of local politics. They are ready to do away with the politics of old, and embrace a new politics that is democratic, transparent, inclusive, and guided by a long-term vision for our future. They are ready for real change, and they want a real plan -- not the shoot-from-the-hip strategy that has characterized local politics thus far. Planning takes leadership. It takes courage and political will.
I hear these things every day. I think about them every day. And as discouraging as I have found the last eight months of this term, I continue to hope even now that it is still possible for change in our Commonwealth and in the way that we govern ourselves, to begin with this Legislature.

Tina Sablan
House of Representatives
16th CNMI Legislature
PO Box 500586
Saipan, MP 96950
Tel: (670) 664-8931
Cel: (670) 285-3935
Email: tinasablan@gmail.com or
rep.sablanc@cnmileg.gov.mp

CUC Load Shedding Schedule

Marianas Variety - New load shedding schedule
Friday, 22 August 2008 00:00 By Junhan B. Todeno - Variety News Staff

THE island’s business district in Garapan will experience power interruption from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for one week staring Saturday, according to the new load shedding schedule of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s power division said.

Feeder 1, which covers the area of 99 Cents Store and portions of Garapan, including the Duty Free Shop and the Bank of Guam, will be taken offline for two hours from Aug. 23 to 29.

Another business area — the Kiya 4 grid — covering Chalan Kiya, San Jose, Oleai, Susupe, Mount Carmel and south to portions of Chalan Kanoa will have no power from 12 noon to 2 p.m.

There will be a power outage from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. in areas covered by Feeder 2: CPA seaport, Beach Road Garapan, Fishing Base, south to San Jose intersection.

The load shedding from 10 a.m. to 12 noon will affect Kiya 1: As Terlaje, NMC, Botanical Garden, portions of Fina Sisu, Lower Dandan, Upper Dandan, Isley Field, and Kanat Tabla.

Feeder 3, which covers Upper Gualo Rai, will also be offline during the same hours.

From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Feeder 7 will have no power, affecting Lower Base, north to Tanapag, Achugao, San Roque, As Matuis and Marpi.

Feeder 4, comprising Lower Base, Sadog Tasi, Capital Hill, Kagman and portions of Papago to Botanical Garden, will experience a blackout from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Power interruption is scheduled from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. for the Kiya 2 grid affecting As Lito, Fina Sisu, Koblerville, As Gonno, San Antonio, Afetnas, Chalan Kanoa, and Chalan Piao.

“As the rehabilitation and maintenance repairs continue on the engines and generators at Power Plant 1, load shedding will continue to be required,” said Gary P. Camacho, acting manager of CUC’s power division.

He said the water and wastewater services will also be affected as a result of the power outages.

“CUC will make all efforts to keep to this schedule; however, such schedule may be modified in future public notices…and may be altered to address particular emergencies when necessary,” he said.

CUC Load Shedding Sked Aug. 9 - 15, 2008

Aug. 9 - 15, 2008

As rehabilitation and maintenance repairs continue on the engines and generators at the Power Plant1, load shedding will continue to be required. However, to conform to the daily power demand, the schedule will be expanded to include the entire feeder (1st & 2nd partial) in each of the respective timeslots other than Feeder 1. Therefore, the load shedding schedule for Aug. 9 through Aug. 15, 2008 will be as follows.

8am -10am Feeder-2: Entire Grid
Beach Road Garapan at Fishing Base Kristo Rai south to San Jose Intersection

10am - 12pm Kiya 1: Entire Grid
As Terlaje, NMC, Botanical Garden, Portions of Fina Sisu, Lower Dandan, Upper Dandan, Homestead, Isley Field, Kannat Tabla

Feeder-3: Laterals
Taro Sue to portions of Upper China Town, Upper Gualo Rai

12pm -2pm Kiya-4: Entire Grid
Portions of Chalan Kiya, San Jose, Oleai, Susupe, Mount Carmel and south to portions of Chalan Kanoa

2pm - 4pm Feeder-1: Second partial
99 Cents Store and portions of Garapan (DFS and BOG), Upper and Navy Hill Lower Chinatown, Kristo Rai Church

4pm - 6pm Feeder-7: Entire Grid
Lower Base industrial area, north to Tanapag, Achugao, San Roque, As Matuis and Marpi.

6pm - 8pm Kiya-2: Entire Grid
As Lito, Portions of Fina Sisu, Koblerville, As Gonno, San Antonio and Afetnas, portions of Chalan Kanoa, Chalan Piao

8pm - 10pm Feeder-4: Entire Grid
Lower Base, Sadog Tasi, Capital Hill, Kagman and portions of Papago to Botanical Garden

Water and wastewater services will also be affected in the respective areas as a result of the power outages. CUC will make all efforts to keep to this schedule but it may be modified in future public notices. The schedule may also be altered to address particular emergencies when necessary.

Source: Commonwealth Utilities Corp.