I WOULD like to report a success story! In January I wrote a letter to Variety entitled, “Right Turn, Not left Turn” about single engine planes taking off from the airport, turning left and flying low and noisy over San Vicente, Dandan, Chalan Kanoa and other heavily populated areas of Saipan.
In March, in response to suggestions from my neighbor, Len Kaufer and me, Lt. Gov. Diego Benavente held a meeting in his conference room. Attending were all the right people: the director and staff of CPA, the manager and staff of the control tower and the director and staff of Freedom Air. The lt. governor conducted the meeting very well, letting everyone air out grievances and opinions. After that he led the group in seeking solutions to the problem.
It appears that the problem has been solved. Planes are now turning right most of the time and when they do turn left, they start climbing right away so that when they fly over the Dandan ridge line, they are higher and less noisy. Needless to say, we on the ground feel safer and peace and quiet have been restored.
My thanks to Carlos Salas, the lt. governor and his legal counsel, Maya Kara, for getting the parties together and to Warren Hann of Freedom Air for recognizing and solving a serious problem.
A long time ago, I learned about the “Pacific Way” which is to get everyone together to try to solve problems. Many of us have forgotten that this can be a very beneficial way of getting things done. In this case it worked.
KENNETH L. GOVENDO
Dandan, Saipan
