MS.TINA Sablan has every right to criticize and complain about needed improvements, the lack of publicity on accomplishments and future plans of our leaders for the public. Not that there weren’t any noticeable accomplishments, I am happy just the same to know that someone had the courage to speak out! Great going Tina! But let’s not forget that Ben and Tim are doing what best they could besides filling up all the deep holes dug up and left behind by the last administration.
Our governor is now cutting all unnecessary expenditures and making all possible sacrifices to provide services from revenues that can be collected however small. It is not a most welcome decision neither totally accepted but what had to be done must be done. Ben and Tim are doing everything humanly possible to serve the people. Your ideas, please allow me, are what they had planned to do but what could one do in our economic crises? If it was not deliberately done in the past then all of our sufferings were from lack of foresightedness, poor advice and management practices. The legislature must put on their thinking caps (if they ever had one) and begin helping Ben and Tim, if you please.
Salaries paid above the authorized salary caps are being lowered, thanks to the legislature (chalk one up for you guys). And for everyone’s information, Governor Fitial in our last cabinet meeting informed everyone that he is reducing above the caps salaries. Listen to this. He said, “If you do not like your salary to be reduced, you know where the door is.”
Our situation now is removing all non-essential workers, duplication of work and I pray that the most dreaded RIF will not take place. Our administration has no other options and may be forced to consider how reduction-in-force would work. Believe me, it is the most painful decision anyone had to make.
Of course, excellent health, education and public services are always in their minds but at this time, someone must be joking to even think of a complete overhaul in the government. I congratulate you Ms. Sablan for going public, a sure eye-opener for our leaders. It is not easy for anyone to publicly criticize and form opinions against their government; for which I consider is a very effective public opinion. What could anyone do at this point and time? I suggest that we let our leaders do their work and for us to continue observing and publicly praise or curse them if they don’t do it.
Ben and Tim are both working around the clock addressing pressing top priority needs and other crucial services for our CNMI. Although you touched on the essential services needed they cannot all be addressed at once. Continue on with your ideas maybe we can see some unexpected results. Tan Candelaria said, “It is not easy to make ends meet without the almighty dollar.”

GONZALO Q. SANTOS
Capital Hill, Saipan