A DAY before the state of the CNMI message was delivered, I had an eye surgery and was placed under medication for a few days. Thanks to Dr. Kohram for the superb removal of whatever was blocking my vision. I can see now but not as when I was a young buck. Yes sir, those were the days, my friends.
Now, back to reality. When Governor Fitial revealed the very, very sad state of our economy, you could hear a pin drop in the absolute silence.
Incredible but it is the truth, it is real. Que sera, sera is correct but when addressed positively, we, most certainly can do something to help improve our situation. Of course, there will still be doubting Thomases but I am asking all to please leave your differences aside and pitch in to help restore some of our lost revenues or help bring in new ones.
Believe me my friends, the governor was not philosophically speaking as he painfully read his state of the CNMI message. He was conveying a message to us, a stark naked situation we are in, like it or not. We have to understand this is not an overnight matter to accomplish and we must contribute to our CNMI recovery, the legislative and judicial branches included. It takes money to make money and those revenue generating departments are doing the best they could while community services departments and agencies are continuously providing services to our citizens. That same morning, the Honorable Jose San Nicolas, mayor of Tinian, wanted the medicinal plants program extended to Tinian.
He heard of the success of medicinal symposiums held here and on Rota and asked for Tinian to be included too. This program is to revive our ancestral medicinal healing practice, to cultivate and preserve our medicinal herbs and plants, which are part of the tradition and culture for the Chamorros and Carolinians.
Please help save our medicinal herbs and plants. Here is another beautiful and very beneficial for all our islands in the CNMI. Just recently a protect our coral reefs symposium was sponsored by no other than Dr. Teny Topalian, NOAA, a biologist and Ph.D. It was a tremendous success attended by over 150 elementary level students and teachers from each school on Saipan. And our next presentation will be held at the Hyatt for the high school students.
Of course, the medicinal plants were presented by yours truly to create, instill awareness and to pass on this knowledge to our younger generations. Speakers and presenters will be meeting this Tuesday to review and plan ahead because we were simply caught off-guard. We did not anticipate such mature questioning and written responses from our elementary level students. Thank you teachers and principals for your excellent tutoring. Chalk one up for you Dr. Borja from Tan Candelaria.
I left the multi-purpose building because of the burning sensation in my eye but not before noticing that the governor’s cabinet members were herded and seated at the far left end, almost secluded.
I asked a couple of legislators in a sarcastic tone why the cabinet members were situated far to the left side. Their response was “I don’t know,” and they appeared immune to my sarcasm and criticism of the seating arrangement. Oh well, what coherent answer can you expect from the Legislature no Canda? Excuse me dai, I didn’t mean to interrupt any of you lawmakers deep in thought mostly trying to keep him from revealing how much support he gets from the legislative hall of fame. Ti abman hao ma trobut Canda. Say goodbye, Ok, ok, esta later then. Ok, love you baby.

GONZALO Q. SANTOS
Capital Hill, Saipan