By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

LEGISLATIVE representation was among the issues discussed during Wednesday’s public forum at San Vicente Elementary School.
A participant asked whether it is necessary for legislative representation to be divided into precincts.
Rep. Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero, R-Saipan, replied that anyone who wants to change the structure of the Legislature “should go back to the Covenant.”
He said representation per precinct is based on population.
Another participant asked, “Whose interests are lawmakers really serving?”
Sen. Maria T. Pangelinan, D-Saipan, said the Legislature can come up with substantive legislation.
She said she will seek inputs from people on how to reduce the costs of the running the Legislature.
Another participant noted that “the public never had the chance to voice its opinion on restructuring the Legislature.”
She said the people should be given the chance to do so.
Steve Tilley of the Department of Public Land’s zoning division invited the participants to have separate talks on how they want the island developed in the future.
A participant said the CNMI should encourage off-island retirees to settle here.
Another participant said Saipan can become a center for medical device manufacturing, while another said casinos would be a disaster for the island.
He said casino proponents “are just wasting their time.”
He also wants the poker arcades eliminated from Saipan.