Around the Islands

Public forum to meet John H. Davis Jr.

IF you have not yet met with John Davis, please join us for the public forum today, Oct. 9, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the multi-purpose center in Susupe, Saipan, a media release stated.

Learn what John Davis will do as the delegate to the U.S. Congress.

Ask him questions and tell him your concerns about the issues that will face the delegate.

Bring your family and friends. Please help us insure that our citizens are well-informed and vote intelligently on November 4.

(DEQ) — The Division of Environmental Quality has raised the red flag on 1 site on Rota and advises the public not to fish or swim within 300 feet of these locations for the next 48 hours or until otherwise notified.

Samples collected from West Harbor Marina contained excessive concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria — enterococci — that exceeded the CNMI’s marine water quality standards.

These bacteria can indicate the presence of human and animal waste in the water.

But studies have shown that storm water runoff in tropical environments may also contain these bacteria from the natural environment, which may not be directly associated with public health concerns.

The agency welcomes all inquiries as to the quality of the beach water.

The public is encouraged to contact DEQ at 664-8500 with any questions concerning this matter.

MHS events

(MHS) — Marianas High School will hold its mid-progress report open house today, Oct. 9, 4 p.m.-6 p.m. on MHS campus.

Parents are advised to pick up their child’s mid-progress report from your child’s homeroom teacher. Students will be released at 1 p.m.

On Oct. 13, Monday, there will be no classes, Commonwealth Cultural Day, and on Oct. 14 there will be a MHS community council meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the cafeteria.

Also the MHS Class of 2008 yearbooks are in. You can pick up your yearbooks at the MHS main office, Monday to Friday, 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m.

For questions and concerns contact 237-3206.

Tinian residents welcome Matua Bay Resort Project

AS part of the Coastal Resources Management Office major siting permit application process, a public hearing on the proposed Matua Bay Resort Project was held at 6:30 p.m. last week at Tinian Elementary School, a media release stated.

Several Tinian residents who attended the hearing requested that CRMO grant the permit as soon as possible, citing the development’s potential to improve the local economy, and the benefits of having a golf course on Tinian.

The project, owned by Marianas Resort Development Company Inc. and designed by architect Shin Takamatsu, includes a 405-room hotel with full resort-type amenities, casino, 18-hole championship golf course, and staff housing.

The project will have its own supply water and wastewater disposal systems, and back-up power generation.

The developer is set to begin the process for golf course construction following CRMO permit approval and acquisition of remaining permits necessary for construction.

In a separate communication, MRDC president Kang Yun Lee expressed his appreciation to CRMO and the government for an efficient permit review process, and noted the tremendous cooperation given by the agencies.

He said, “We are pleased with the outcome of the public hearing and look forward to receiving the CRM permit in the coming weeks. We are very optimistic of the opportunities ahead of us all as we embark on the final steps towards acquiring our construction permits.”

The development plans for the Matua Bay Resort calls for the construction of the 18-hole golf course, infrastructure, and temporary construction worker facilities followed by the construction of the hotel, casino, and staff housing.

Construction is slated to commence early 2009.

NMC sends student representative to Okinawa exchange program

(NMC) — To further promote the exchange of knowledge and experience between Northern Marianas College and its Pacific Rim counterparts, NMC will be sending a student representative to Okinawa to participate in an exchange program designed to advance regional dialogue.

Charmaine Hofschneider, NMC sophomore, will be in Japan on Oct. 8-15 to participate in the Okinawa-Pacific Educational Network Initiative.

The program aims to provide students from the Pacific region with opportunities to learn about various economic, social, and environmental issues in Okinawa through field trips and exchange activities with local students.

“I’m excited to be meeting and learning from many other students with diverse backgrounds,” said Hofschneider. “While I look forward to sharing many of our issues with them, I also anticipate that I’ll be bringing back a wealth of new knowledge that I can share with others here.”

This year’s exchange program will focus particularly on environmental and energy issues. Included on the agenda are meetings with environmental specialists and utility representatives as well as visits to a desalination center, a landfill project, and a river dam.

“The focus of this year’s program is very timely and relevant especially for the CNMI,” said NMC President Dr. Carmen Fernandez. “We are extremely proud of Charmaine — we are confident she will make a great ambassador of the college.”

The OPENI Program is funded by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation and administered by the Center of Asian Pacific Island Studies at the University of Ryukyus in Okinawa.

In addition to NMC, the University of Guam, Guam Community College, the College of the Federated States of Micronesia, the College of the Marshall Islands, and Palau Community College will also be sending student representatives.

Hofschneider will be accompanied by Bonnie Royal of the NMC’s Cooperative Research, Extension and Education Service department.

(NMC) — Northern Marianas College says freshman Bruce Jarrett M. Iglesias is this year’s winner of the NMC’s annual Student Economic Essay Competition sponsored by the Asia Pacific Association for Fiduciary Studies and coordinated by the NMC Business Department.

This is the third consecutive year that the APAFS has sponsored the regional competition, which includes students from Northern Marianas College, Guam Community College, the University of Guam, the College of the Marshall Islands, Palau Community College, the College of Micronesia and the University of the South Pacific.

The winners from each community college and university are provided with a fully funded trip to Manila, the Philippines, to present a summary of their paper at the 8th Annual Pacific Region Investment Conference, Oct. 9-10, at the Renaissance Hotel in Makati, Metro Manila.

Iglesias’s first-place essay expressed his insights on the impact that the proposed Marianas Trench Marine National Monument designation would have on the CNMI economy. His essay argued that the benefits of the proposed Marine Monument far outweigh any perceived drawbacks.

In his essay, Iglesias points out that the Marine Monument’s most significant benefits would include positive international exposure for the CNMI, substantial increases in visitor arrivals; annual grant funds from the federal government and other non-government sources for research, development, management and operation of the Marine Monument; and educational and research opportunities that will benefit CNMI students, and other educational institutions in the region.

“I was honored and at the same time surprised to be named the winner of this competition,” said Iglesias. “I learned so much from my research on the essay and I really appreciate the support, time and information provided to me by many people.”

“I would like to thank my parents, Antonia ‘Toni’ Iglesia and Ernie Balbin, my wife, Janel Pangelinan, and my sister, Velma Mafnas, for their confidence in me and constant support,” added Iglesias. “I would also like to express my gratitude to my instructor, Mr. Eric Plinske, and the other Business Department faculty who encouraged me to compete.”

However, because Iglesias’s passport is expired and because its renewal was unable to occur in a timely manner, the second place winner of the essay competition will travel in Iglesias’s stead.

The second place winner, NMC student Regina E. Andres, emphasized in her essay the importance of the CNMI’s first congressional delegate and the influence this elected official will have on decisions that can positively impact the CNMI’s economy.

“I’m sad that Bruce won’t be able to travel to Manila, but I’m grateful to NMC and the APAFS for sponsoring this annual competition and excited about the opportunity to represent Bruce and NMC at the conference,” said Andres.

Other competition finalists included students Xu “Ava” Dan and John Peter Sablan.

Dr. Carmen Fernandez, NMC president, appointed business instructor Rik Villegas to serve as the NMC chaperone on the trip to the investment conference.

Travel and conference costs for the student winner and NMC chaperone will be paid by the APAFS.

“The NMC community is proud of all our essay competitors and grateful to APAFS for once again sponsoring this valuable competition throughout the region,” said Fernandez. “Special congratulations goes out to both Bruce and Regina on their hard work and thought-provoking essays.”

APAFS was formed by a forward thinking group of fiduciaries from throughout the diverse geographical area of the Asia Pacific region. It is a nonprofit educational association with the aim of providing educational forums for fiduciaries in the region so that they can better exercise prudent stewardship of the funds entrusted to their care.

The two-day Pacific Region Investment Conference offers attendees an opportunity to participate in a variety of presentations, network, and question top speakers from the finance and investment industry.

Marriage Encounter weekend on Nov. 14-16

(BoG) — Bank of Guam has donated $10,000 and is a premier corporate sponsor for this year’s annual American Red Cross Club 200 fundraising dinner and raffle.

“Bank of Guam continues to be a leader in our community by supporting many non-profit organizations including the Red Cross” said John Hirsh, executive director of the NMI chapter.

“Bank of Guam has a strong legacy of helping those in need, particularly the work that the Red Cross does here in the NMI and throughout the region,” Hirsh added.

Bank of Guam is committed to being the leading financial services provider in the Western Pacific.

With branches on Guam, the CNMI, Micronesia, the Western United States and the Asia Pacific Rim, the bank offers a challenging work environment and growth opportunities for its employees.

The bank also provides the highest quality financial services to its customers.

“The People’s Bank” is guided by the principle of delivering exceptional service and value to its customers and shareholders.

Sex Offender Registry Unit advisory

(DPS) — The Sex Offender Registry Unit would like to notify all convicted sex offenders in the CNMI to update registration files before Oct. 24 by 4:30 p.m. at the DPS central office in Susupe.

The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 provides for the use of federal law enforcement resources — including the U.S. Marshals Service — to assist a state in locating and apprehending non-compliant sex offenders.

This act also makes it a federal offense, punishable up to 10 years in prison based upon interstate commerce for sex offenders who have not registered at the jurisdiction they reside and have moved to another state/territory.

All offenders who are in violation of Public Law 11-104 are advised to update their registration documents as to avoid a year of imprisonment and up to $1,000.00 in fines.

For further information, contact Officer Tricia Seman at 664-9026.