He noted that he is a Republican, so he hopes that the Republican candidates succeed.
The mayor said is also very grateful to have a good relationship with the Legislature, especially the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation.
“Every time I’ve asked for help, they [have] always [been] there for us, the community,” the mayor said.
He noted that funding approved by the Legislature and the governor allows his office to provide services to island residents and implement projects beneficial to the community.
“Give me the funding and I will take care of the community. That is my job as a mayor,” he said, adding that the Legislature, for its part, has been fulfilling its duty in helping his office serve the community.
Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang is interviewed by reporters in his office on Friday. Photo by K-Andrea Evarose S. Limol
A former House member himself, Apatang encourages his constituents to exercise their right to vote and take a good look at all of the candidates.
He also advises voters to be wary of candidates who seem to be promising to accomplish things by himself or herself.
“You cannot just go in and say, ‘I promise to do this and that.’ You cannot do that by yourself. Don’t promise the world knowing that you cannot accomplish it,” the mayor said.
“It’s better if [the candidate] just says, ‘I will work with my colleagues to come up with some good legislation for the community.’”
The mayor noted that some candidates have made a lot of promises to “clean up” the government.
“As long as we have these issues — the economic [downturn and] no tourists, we’re still going to be the same. We had Typhoon Soudelor, Super Typhoon Yutu, and now Covid-19. We are very lucky that we’re getting funds from the federal government to help us out in the community,” he said
“People cannot just say, ‘If you vote me in, I will make sure that we change everything,’ [because they cannot] do that. That’s my opinion.”
