By Zaldy Dandan
Variety Editor

Get the message

WITH the election behind us and the Saipan casino initiative dead, maybe the Legislature will turn its attention to the FY 2008 budget and the administration will get busy tending to the economy. Covenant Party members may finally be able to discern that the public is fed up with unmet campaign promises, exclusive business deals for the well-connected, and sub-par public services, especially in the utility and health fields. It is a message that all government officials should know by heart.
The administration’s apparent post-election response, requesting courtesy resignations from its political appointees, appears to be a political realignment. But no amount of realignment will secure another Covenant victory in the next general election if the economy does not make significant improvements soon.
The challenge for this administration is whether it can put local and federal political distractions aside to focus on improving the economy. Its other “alternative” is to simply flounder with the economy and be put out of its misery in 2009.
Meanwhile, deeper cuts in the government budget are expected and should probably have been implemented a long time ago in phases to lessen the impact on the community. The government has to figure out how to generate revenues through smaller more efficient government, privatization of some government services, and more tourists and new investments.
Meanwhile, armed robberies as well as residential and commercial burglaries are increasing at an alarming rate, threatening the safety and security of people who are already laboring with financial uncertainty. The newly elected members of the Legislature must act quickly and decisively to turn back some of these negative developments. The community must do its part by attending public hearings, supporting good public policy, and practicing good citizenship, by helping to keep themselves, their families, and community healthy and safe.

About the Creation Museum

WHILE the Department of the Interior has tried to bring these islands to the attention of potential and legitimate business interests, the administration has managed to drag in questionable medical schools while considering marijuana legalization and, now, a Creation Museum…as a “destination attraction.”
Though predominantly Roman Catholic, this community practices religious tolerance, to its credit. If the project backers are credible and the concept is sound, then it is development that the CNMI can use right now. However, this proposed museum requires closer scrutiny than other pending projects have received — particularly its effect on children that our schools are trying to teach science, not quackery.
Public land leases for development, in any case, should go to developers with a good reputation, experience, sound financial backing and a commitment to follow through with all its permit terms — and not just to those who are on good terms with whoever the governor is.