Last February, the Association of Mariana Islands Mayors, Vice Mayors and Elected Municipal Council, or AMIM, held a two-day general assembly at the Saipan Grand Hotel.
Mayor Melissa B. Savares of Dededo, Guam, and the newly elected AMIM president, said the gathering on Rota is a regular annual general assembly of the association.
In a telephone interview, Savares said their group will meet to “enhance our relationship” and address problems affecting the islands.
“We will look into the fruit fly eradication program and the scholarship program that students from Rota, Tinian, Saipan and Guam can apply for,” said Savares, who was on Rota yesterday with five other mayors to attend the event.
Rota Municipal Council secretary Vicente Calvo said AMIM is expecting a complete attendance during the meeting.
The current AMIM vice president, he said one of the majors issues that participants from Guam and CNMI will discuss is the eradication of fruit flies which affect farm produce.
Dr. Jack Tenorio, an entomologist, will discuss fruit fly eradication methods during the meeting.
During AMIM’s general assembly on Saipan last February, representatives from the Guam Contractors Association Trades Academy discussed the employment opportunities created by the upcoming military buildup on Guam.
On Rota, Calvo said they will resume discussions on skill training, apprenticeship and other skill assessment programs that will improve the trade skills of residents.
Calvo has been advocating the establishment of a trade school on Rota and have coordinated with the Northern Marianas Trades Institute’s officials on Saipan about a similar program on Rota.
He said a trade school will help many residents prepare for the enormous need for more workers during the Guam military buildup and the establishment of a casino industry on Rota.
Calvo said the meeting look into how the opportunities that will be created by the military buildup on Guam.
The meeting will be held at the Rota facility of Northern Marianas College.
