By Andrew Roberto
andrew@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
THE NMI Democrats hosted the first Civic Engagement Series: Precincts Listening Tour on Thursday at the Saipan Southern High School cafeteria.
At the event, participants were asked to share their thoughts on a variety of issues in the Northern Marianas, including infrastructure, jobs, education, and healthcare, and to identify what they believe is the “biggest issue in the CNMI.” Posters were placed on tables in the cafeteria alongside markers and sticky notes for participants to write their input. Participants rotated between the stations.
NMI Democrat Leila Staffler said the event was held to continue engaging with the community outside of an election season.
“Engaging with our community is important so that we’re always keeping in touch with the things that matter to the people,” she said.
With Precinct 1 completed, the NMI Democrats will next visit Precinct 3 at the Carolinian Utt on Nov. 5 at 5:30 p.m., and Precinct 2 at Laly 4 Pavilion 8 on Nov. 13 at 5:30 p.m. Plans for Precincts 4 and 5, as well as for Tinian and Rota, are still being finalized.
Staffler added that the feedback will be compiled to give the NMI Democrats a clearer understanding of the issues residents face at the grassroots level. She also said the listening tour could reveal whether the precincts are facing different challenges or share common concerns.
The information will be shared sometime in 2026, according to Staffler.
For her part, NMI Democratic Party Chair Annie Pickelsimer said the event allows them to identify where help is needed.
“We want to see what we can do to help get these things moving and help the people,” she said. “This is very important because the people are telling us what they need us to do to make things happen — to see some changes and improvements in the community. There are a lot of issues we need to work on, but it takes time. Starting tonight, we’re going to begin collecting and putting everything together, and the next session will be to follow up.”
Andrew Roberto is an alumnus of Saipan Southern High School, Northern Marianas College, and the University of Guam. He holds a degree in English. He is a published author, a staged playwright, and a former classroom teacher.