Educational assistance program deadline
(CNMI Scholarship Program) — The application deadline for all applicants is July 1. The deadline for supporting documents is Sept. 30. Application and supporting documents deadline for the P.L. 14-37 Honors Scholarship Program is June 30.
For more information call 664-4750 or visit the Website at www.cnmischolarship.com.
New schedule for
FDM live fire training
(EMO) — The U.S. military will conduct live fire training on Farallon de Mendenilla from June 7 to 10, 6 a.m. to 2 a.m., and from June 11 to 15, 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial is advising the public, especially fishermen, commercial pilots and marine tour operators, to stay away from this area during the time and dates indicated.
For more information, call the Emergency Management Office at 322-9528 or 322-9529, VHF marine channel 16, or HF single side band radio on 5.205.0.
New location
sought for
marine research
facility
(NMC) — Recognizing the need to preserve culturally sensitive and historically significant archeological sites, Northern Marianas College recently opted to find an alternate site for its proposed classroom and research facility after determining that the original site in Paupau contained rich deposits of ancient human remains and cultural artifacts.
NMC had earlier proposed to expand and renovate an existing concrete structure located at Paupau Beach Site and use it for a Marine Science Research Center that would house a classroom, laboratory, and meeting space facilities.
“We are still very much committed to developing a world-class research facility equipped with the latest technology where our students and faculty can learn and make important contributions to marine research,” said NMC President Dr. Carmen Fernandez.
“To this end, we are grateful to the Northern Marianas Housing Corp. and the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program for their continued financial support and assistance,” Fernandez added.
Initial inspections of cultural deposits at the Paupau site several years ago led to the discovery of some stone and shell artifacts, a dense gastropod stratum and some bits of human remains.
The preliminary findings prompted a more comprehensive excavation, a project which was led by an archeological team that included Jennifer McKinnon, Ph.D., Jason Raupp, and Toni Massey.
Within a short period of beginning the archaeological work, the archaeological team, assisted by volunteers from the community and NMC, uncovered the human remains of a complete burial.
Additional complete human burials were discovered shortly afterward.
Due to the amount of material and the depth of the cultural deposits being discovered in nearly every excavation, the archaeological team concluded that the site is a significant indigenous archaeological site.
McKinnon, archaeological team leader and Technical Officer for Maritime Archaeology for Flinders University, South Australia, indicated that the discovery was the richest archaeological site she had ever encountered.
Her extensive archaeological resumé spans 15 years and includes field experience in various U.S. states, Ghana, and Australia.
OPA receives highest
rating for third
consecutive quality review
(OPA) — The CNMI Office of the Public Auditor received the highest possible rating in its recent external quality control peer review.
The Association of Pacific Islands Public Auditors peer review team comprised of Palau Public Auditor Satrunino Tewid, Federated States of Micronesia Audit Supervisor Michael Henry, and technical consultant Charles W. Hester commended OPA for exemplifying “the highest standards of the auditing profession.”
The peer review team tested OPA’s adherence to Government Auditing Standards promulgated by the comptroller general of the U.S.
OPA has undergone three peer reviews since Public Auditor Michael Sablan assumed his position.
All three reviews resulted in the same highest rating of full compliance with Government Auditing Standards.
The review covered OPA’s audits and attestation engagements during the period from Oct. 1, 2004 through Sept. 30, 2007.
Sablan credits OPA’s continued high marks to the hard work and professionalism of his staff.
This achievement is a “reflection of their commitment to auditing standards and the office,” Sablan stated. “As I leave OPA, I am confident that the office is well positioned to fulfill all of its mandates in accordance with highest standards of the profession.”
The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs provided special funding to cover the costs of the CNMI OPA peer review.
In accordance with APIPA guidelines, a copy of the peer review report was provided to Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, Senate President Pete P. Reyes and Speaker Arnold I. Palacios.
OPA will host the 19th annual APIPA conference on Saipan in July.
The conference offers the opportunity for interested individuals to learn about government auditing standards among other topics.
For more information, visit the APIPA conference Web site at www.apipa2008.org.
