By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

THE Language Policy Commission has yet to recover even a single piece of equipment or confidential data stolen from its office seven months ago.
Executive Director Dave Omar said despite the efforts of the police to solve the burglary case, there are still no good leads.
“Even our efforts in distributing flyers and announcements about the incident didn’t get any response from the community…which also saddens us,” he said.
The master computer that stored the translated files of various government agencies, an air-conditioning unit and a printer were stolen from the commission in July.
The burglars took approximately $2,000 worth of equipment.
“As a result, we are now expediting our work here to meet the deadlines of our clients. We’re very happy that some divisions under the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs have lent us the computers and other equipment that allow us to continue our work on the translation,” Omar said.
Other government agencies and departments, upon learning of the burglary incident, have extended their deadlines, he added.
Omar said the commission’s Carolinian and Chamorro translators were asked to extend their hours of service to work on urgently needed documents.
“They’re really working double time especially on the public notices and amendments,” he said.
He said they now have a back-up for all completed translations.
“Besides requesting more police visibility in this area, we also visit the office sometimes on weekends,” Omar said, adding that they intend to install a security alarm when funding becomes available.
Silver anniversary
Despite its limited budget, Omar said the commission is planning to celebrate its silver anniversary on Oct. 13.
“Although details are all temporary, we want everything to come from private and public sponsorships and solicitations,” he said.
The commission’s board of directors will meet this month to discuss the details of the celebration which will include a language symposium, the Kantan Isla concert on Saipan, cultural presentations, and Chamorro and Carolinian translation workshops.