Most of the residents of Saipan believe that this mess with CUC came to be as a result of high fuel prices. I say NO. This whole mess was very well planned and carried out. I want to go back to 2000.
Every time the board of directors meet, one of the items discussed was how could they privatize the power plant. Well, the fact was that they could not do it. The power plant was making too much money, so they just hid and wait. When the price of fuel started going up; they saw their chance. They used the fuel prices as an excuse to run the power plant into the ground. Now they could openly try to privatize the plant. Do not be fooled — the members of the board are not acting alone. There are several very influential men working with them. When they get the job done, they all stand to make a lot of money.
So what do we do? First block privatization at all cost. Secondly, hold people accountable for what has been done. There have been three decisions made that have hurt CUC. First, was the change in fuel from heavy oil to diesel? We all know who made that decision. Second, was the removal of the electronic re-closures from the power distribution system? This leaves the power plant without any protection. Now every time there is a problem with any part of the distribution system, it is going to trip the power plant off line and we have “islandwide power outage.” It also increases the risk of damage to a generator (WHO MADE THIS DECISION?). Third, the use of non-treated water to cool the engines in the power plant. The water used to cool those engines is supposed to be purified water that will not let slag deposit in the engine blocks, the pipes to and from the radiators and the radiators themselves. OK! What is SLAG? Take a pan fill it with CUC water. Let most of the water boil off. All the white deposit on the inside of the pan is SLAG. That is what is building up in the cooling systems in the power plant every day now. (WHO MADE THE DECISION?) We need to know who made these decisions and hold them accountable for their actions.
Let’s go back to privatization. If we let the governor do what he wants to do, I will give odds that an off island company will end up with the power plant. They will go in and clean up the mess and get the plant back on its feet and they will make money. But guess what, all the money will go off island.
How do we stop this? There is a way. We the residents of the island can group together and buy the plant. We have the expertise and leadership on the island to clean this mess up and we can make money on it. We will need the help of a corporation lawyer. We will have to establish the true value of the plant as it is right now. Then we can sell shares to the residents of the island and get control of our power.
Remember one thing. Whoever controls the power controls the island. Do we want that power in the hands of an off island company?
Sen. Pete Reyes, for years I have had a fair amount of respect for you. Well, no longer. Your attack on Congresswoman Tina Sablan was totally out of line. For lawmakers to have a difference of opinions is good thing. But personal attacks are not part of law making. Personally, on the bill in question (your pet projects) that you did not have money to pay for, I stand with Congresswoman Sablan.
Your comment which you said, that she needs to get on the train or get left behind. Did you ever stop to think that she does not want to get on that train? Personally, I hope that you and all the good old boys in the Legislature stay on that train. Your train is headed to Banzai Cliff and there will not be a stop at the end of the line. Have a nice ride. Wake up times are changing. You are going to have to answer for what you do in the future.
This last section, I want to address to Tan Holdings. I do not want it to look like I am throwing rocks at them. It is just the opposite. I am asking them for help. I do not blame Tan Holdings for the corruption on the island. But they will have to admit that they did raise it to a new high during the garment factory days. Now, I am asking them to help us clean up the mess. It will cost Tan Holdings nothing to help us. It will prove to the island that they are a corporation that wants to do honest business on the island. What I want from them is a list of legislators who sold their votes to Tan Holdings to get bills that Tan wanted to passed and how much money Tan Holdings spent to get this Governor elected. Look at it this way, sooner or later the truth is going to come out. I would hate to see Tan Holdings drag through federal investigation. So how about it, are you with us or against us. Will you help us clean up the mess that you helped to create? Please give it some serious thought. Thank you….
FREDERICK PROSSER
As Matuis, Saipan
