By Zaldy Dandan
Variety Editor

The public should see the governor’s plan

IN his State of the Commonwealth Address last week, the governor announced what readers of this newspaper already knew — larger and more permanent cuts are necessary to support the government’s reduced $163 million budget. He has directed the Office of Personnel Management to prepare a reduction in force plan beginning with the technical and professional corps. In government terms, this means excepted service employees and other contract hires. The third tier of workers that will face cuts after all the technical and professional people are sent packing are the civil servants.
The governor also wants to empower the civil service system by giving it sole hiring authority — which, in the CNMI, means political power. There is no doubt that the civil service, like every other service in the government, could stand a make-over. Civil service should be professionalized, but without a sound plan to overhaul it, the implementation of the governor’s drastic proposals will merely worsen existing personnel and government service problems, of which there are so many.

Not so sacred cows anymore

THERE is fat that can be cut without great harm in every agency, PSS included, but in the school system’s case, those that should not be touched include classroom teachers, administrators and other personnel that perform vital functions teaching the children and ensuring their health and safety.
However, a $400,000 budget from federally funded projects for flags, banners, and television productions to advocate the idea that reading is important is probably not a vital expenditure in these tough times. Instead of dedicating those funds to promos, why not put it in the classrooms, for teachers and reading resource instructors? How about more school supplies?
It is, in many instances, a matter of proper allocation of scarce resources. Education officials, in any case, should realize that things are getting worse, and it is unlikely that any agency will be spared completely for long.

Needed: More investments

THE governor asks for patience and likens the CNMI’s economic recovery to his own medical treatment and recovery. The public, however, has been very patient with their government all these years, and this patience is wearing thin because hardship is being imposed by those unwilling to explore ways that would alleviate that hardship.
For example, of the handful of “interested” investors cited by the governor in his address, maybe two will come to fruition. Maybe. But talking to potential investors is not enough; the administration must be tireless in its efforts to bring in new businesses. It has to do something out of the ordinary.

Sitting CIP funds

REGARDING capital improvement projects, Interior official David Cohen recently reported that there is over $55 million in funds waiting for the CNMI to take appropriate action. This is money that the CNMI cannot afford to have sitting around while its government officials try to figure out what to do.
Experienced personnel were relieved of their jobs following the election and replaced with employees who were not familiar with federal requirements, and this, along with procurement snafus, is delaying federal approval for the expenditure of Covenant funds.
This sum of money circulating in the economy would bring relief to what remains of the construction industry on island, and help to keep wholesalers, retailers and various other service providers afloat. But there doesn’t seem to be any urgency on the part of government officials to clear the logjam. Why?

Long-term efforts required

SUPPORTERS of the CNMI’s many beautification nonprofits gave out awards last week, and there is no doubt that these efforts are much appreciated by the community.
However, getting rid of litter problems is also a matter of education, reward and punishment. There should be littering and environmental programs for schools and littering tickets should be handed out.
But judging by the amount of litter that shows up following grass-cutting projects along the roads, not enough tickets are being handed out and the government is losing a small but reliable source of revenue for its depleted coffers.
How long will businesses be willing to volunteer to clean up beach sites? How long will the public be willing to subsidize cleanups with the occasional government trash pick up day?
These are beautiful islands, but the public must be taught to appreciate and respect their beauty or lose it.