By Haidee V. Eugenio
Variety Assistant Editor

THE author of the “Dear People of the Commonwealth” letter says she is not running for office but only wants change for the betterment of the CNMI — from having a 24-hour clean drinking water to an efficient government that prioritizes public health, safety and education.
Tina Sablan yesterday said she wrote her open letter, which the Variety published on Jan. 17, to start a public forum where everyone can freely speak their mind about pressing issues like labor, immigration and governance.
She is leading a series of public forums “to discuss the vital economic, social and political issues facing the commonwealth,” which will start today from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the Garapan Elementary School cafeteria.
Sablan, the guest speaker at yesterday’s Rotary Club of Saipan meeting at the Hyatt Regency, was asked “what she really wants” after writing her letter which points out that “we are all responsible for the mess” that the CNMI is in.
Her letter offers solutions to these problems at a time when the federal government is again looking at reforming the islands’ wage and immigration systems.
“I don’t have all the answers but I do have ideas of the things I want. I want clean and beautiful islands; an efficient government that prioritizes critical services. I want clean water, energy that anybody can afford, a hospital that has all the doctors we need. I like to see more businesses run by local residents,” Sablan told Rotary Club members and guests.
Rotary Club members lauded Sablan, as well as Beautify CNMI! volunteer Angelo Villagomez, who was also at the club meeting, for being the voice of the young in the CNMI.
But Sablan was also asked about her motives.
Past Rotary Club president and former Superior Court Judge Timothy Bellas asked whether Sablan is running for office, saying that her statements “sound like a political party platform.”
Sablan, who works at the Division of Environmental Quality, replied, “I am not running for office. I am happy with my job now. I call it a citizen platform.”
For those running for office, Sablan said, “If you can’t even represent yourself, how can you run for office?”
Rotarian and businessman David Sablan said he is encouraged to see young people doing something to change things for the better.
Another Rotarian and former Northern Marianas College president Agnes McPhetres called on Villagomez to “work with” Sablan.
In her presentation, Sablan said the public forum aims to provide a venue for members of the community to freely and openly share their views on the issues they care about, and to participate in the process of identifying solutions to the problems they see.
Tonight’s forum, according to Sablan, will provide participants who sign up one minute to identify the issues that concern them the most and present questions they might have to stimulate further discussion.
Participants will also decide on the key issues for which they would like to lead discussions in small groups, and they may move freely between small groups.
Forum participants will return to the general group to summarize their discussions, present their objectives, identify next steps and receive feedback.
Sablan said the public forums will continue so long as people want to participate.
There are proposed ground rules during the public forums, including the right of every participant to speak.
“Put the commonwealth first. Leave personal, political and business interests at home. Come to the forums as a member of the community. Be honest and direct. Be professional and respectful. No personal attacks. Listen respectfully when someone is speaking,” read the proposed ground rules.
Forum participants are also urged “to assume nothing and question everything,” to expect and welcome criticism, and to respect time limitations.
“No propaganda, political campaigning, personal grievances, intimidation tactics, or vendettas,” Sablan said, adding that the forums are free and open to all.
Senate panel hearing
A U.S. Senate panel will hold a hearing on the CNMI’s labor and immigration policies on Feb. 8 in Washington, D.C.
Alex Sablan of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce yesterday encouraged Rotary Club members and guests to attend the hearing to show “support for the CNMI.”
Government officials led by Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez and members of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, including Alex Sablan, are headed for Washington, D.C. for the hearing.
The chamber of commerce and the Fitial administration favor a gradual wage increase but only after a federal wage review board determines what the CNMI can afford and not the rate that Congressman George Miller, D-Calif., is proposing.
A group headed by Kodep Ogomuru-Uludong will stage a rally on Friday afternoon at American Memorial Park to also offer venue for community members to speak out on pressing issues in the CNMI that include the proposed federal minimum wage hike and a possible extension of federal immigration laws to the islands.