They apply for all the necessary requirements and lease the properties. The government begins to receive good revenue while some people are happy because they are receiving good money for their leased properties.
All the businesspeople became successful. After 25 years, however, the government decides to establish a zoning law. Zoning officials start going out to enforce the new regulations and create hardship for businesses. The business community organizes and forms a committee and elects its officers and president. The organization requests to meet with all lawmakers and government officials. At the meeting, the group’s president spoke and questioned the government as to why no one thought of establishing a zoning law before they all started opening their businesses.
After all of the hardship they have been through, now the government is saying they are in violation of zoning law. What is this, some kind of Lunacy Act? The committee president gave an example of a police supervisor who receives a disturbance call. The supervisor then radios one of his officers to respond. He tells the officer that once he arrives at the residence he should shoot first and then ask questions later.
One of the lawmakers told the businesspersons they are so sorry that no one thought of establishing the zoning law earlier. The committee president said, “Over my dead body.”
And this is the end of my story that actually happened in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
RAY AGULTO
Kannat Tabla, Saipan
