IN April 1986, the first Commonwealth-wide youth conference was held at the CNMI Convention Center (now the Arts Council gallery) on Capital Hill. It was a three-day event organized by the Catholic Social Services, in collaboration with the Criminal Justice Planning Agency, the Department of Education (now PSS) and the Division of Youth Services.
Among the problems identified by the youth participants were “lack of respect for property, vandalism, graffiti” and “alcohol abuse and child abuse.” A separate youth survey indicated that alcohol abuse was “the number one problem” facing the youth in the CNMI.
In “An Appeal for Action,” the Catholic Social Services noted that during the U.S. administration of the NMI (the Trust Territory era), “many conferences have been held and reports submitted on problems confronting our society. Our leaders and participants have called such conferences important for our development. But, more often than not, reports of such conferences, with their recommendations, are put on shelves to gather dust and be ignored.”
The recommendations of the 1986 youth conference included the following:
1) DPS should “vigorously enforce the existing laws on vandalism. It is further suggested that particular areas be set aside for graffiti and other artistic expressions of the youth.”
2) “Alcohol abuse and child abuse are recognized as serious problems in the CNMI and…agencies and decision-making bodies are requested to make these priority problems to be addressed by the full weight of the community.”
Conference participants also complained about “too many stray dogs” and “trash on the roads” as well as a “lack of motivation to succeed” and “too dependent upon federal funds.” Moreover, “families are pulled apart by political differences or conflict over land.”
At the time, the eight-year-old Commonwealth was (surprise!) struggling economically. Among the Variety news headlines in April 1986:
“Government Owes Banks $5.4M” (worth about $15.16 million today)
To “conserve funds,” the Department of Finance “froze all government purchases and travel.” The Finance chief also told legislators “that if nothing was done immediately the government may not even be able to pay the salaries of its employees in the near future.” For his part, the House minority leader urged the governor to “facilitate the passage” of the government budget, which amounted to $69.35 million (worth about $194 million today). “Our very poor financial condition warrants an immediate attention from all branches of our government,” he said. He also asked that “funds be reserved for the House and Senate minority [blocs] as well as the newly established municipal councils in Rota and Tinian.”
Variety likewise reported that thanks to the efforts of the Saipan mayor, the CNMI “may soon…attain self-sufficiency in agriculture and fisheries and penetrate the Japanese market.” A Japanese cooperative had expressed willingness to provide technical assistance to local farmers and fishermen, “including soil improvement and management and production of crops needed in Japan.”
Meanwhile, NMC “has started a practical two-year course that trains students in scientific farming.” Students were taught “the principle of crop production, photosynthesis, plant diseases, use [of] chemicals and other subjects in farming.” Each student was also provided a 200-square-foot garden, “which must be planted with five varieties of plants.” The instructor conducted “weekly discussions with each student on the progress of work in the field.”
In other news, “Power Shortage Coming.” According to a House member, “In a very short time we will have a serious power shortage unless three generators are added to the power plant.” He said some residents were already complaining of “appliances breaking down because of inadequate power supply. In Chalan Piao, fluorescent lamps…are busted earlier than their normal life. Television sets provide dim pictures to viewers.”
In response to the CNMI government’s financial crisis, the then-governor announced that there would be no hiring of new government employees. “Given the gravity of the financial situation our government finds itself in, I sincerely hope that all branches of our government establish procedures which will increase efficiency and reduce government waste.” In his remarks during the CNMI Youth Conference, he urged the youth to “venture into the skilled labor market to help reduce the need for foreign workers,” saying, “All of us want a car, a TV, but we must work for these things.” He also said: “I’d rather see an individual without education but who wants to work than an individual with a high education but who does not want to work.” His administration launched a Job Guaranty Program “to enable local people to work in the new garment factories, hotels and other industries that are coming in.”
In an editorial, Variety said “tight financial conditions…dictate that [the] government [should] stop being an employment agency.” The budget cuts “should help persuade high school graduates and those still without jobs to turn to the private sector. Work at the garment factories is not as easy as the messengerial or clerical jobs in government offices. But workers learn skills from the factories that could pay off for themselves someday. The new garment plants are willing to promote qualified workers to supervisory or higher positions…. For those who want to work, there is no more reason to be out of job.”
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