BOARD of Parole chairman and former Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council chairman Ramon RB Blas Camacho said he will run for Saipan mayor next year.
He is running for mayor for the third time because, he said, he is eager to serve the public.
“The first time I ran,[there were] five of us who ran and I came in second. The second time I ran, it was only me and Mayor David Apatang. In both those elections the mayor’s salary was $54,000. It was just recently when the mayor’s salary was raised to $75,000. I am not running because of the salary,” said Camacho, a farmer and a retired police major.
“I am eager to run because I want to promote safe and healthy living in the community,” he added.
Camacho said he will revive the neighborhood watch and adopt-a-place program, and initiate community awards to recognize the cleanest residential areas, the cleanest villages and the safest villages.
He said he will also promote sustainability through farming and community gardens.
He wants to make a difference and bring the community together.
He noted that his proposed community awards will motivate people in the villages to participate in the ongoing Public-Private Partnership program of the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers.
Camacho said he will try to get the endorsement of the NMI Democratic Party, but he said he will most likely run as an independent candidate.
“The people have seen my big interest in serving the community. The mayor right now is doing a good job. If elected mayor, I will make it even better,” Camacho said.
Mayor Apatang, whose term ends in January 2023, was elected in 2014 and reelected in 2018. Under the CNMI Constitution, mayors cannot serve for more than two terms.
RB Camacho
