Most of those who testified at the hearing in the House chamber on the 12th supported the position of the Friends, that the poles should be removed, and that there should be no further development in Marpi without a land use plan, and public consultation and hearings. There’s been lots of support in letters to the editor, in editorials in the local papers, and in letters of support to the web page, www.friendsofMarpi.com.
It took a lot of fancy footwork, though, to get that favorable decision from the court, and there’s bound to be a lot more fancy footwork required to make sure our position remains strong, informed and justifiable. The latest wrinkle is that there’s been power at the site all along — a portable generator that pumps water from the well that’s been dug to water the grass and to provide water to the rest room! Apparently the generator belongs to the contractor and is scheduled for removal once the contract is complete.
This proves that the approach is feasible. But it still leaves the issue of the poles, not to mention long-term protection for Marpi.
While David Banes is very generously donating his time without pay in protecting our interests, he’s not worked alone. He has been working with another very knowledgeable attorney to whom we would like to continue to offer some payment. There are also numerous filing and copying fees involved in defending our cause, that David has said he cannot absorb.
So far, these costs have been covered by donations from supporters. But we need far more for the long haul. We’re all struggling with the increase in gas and other costs, with the cuts in pay and work time — and, in some cases, with the fear of reprisal — but if this cause fails, the long range damage to the CNMI could make matters even worse.
Marpi is one of the CNMI’s most valuable assets. It attracts thousands of tourists — who run, walk, bike, hike, swim, tour its historic monuments, enjoy its open vistas — every year. Their visits generate a major portion of CNMI’s revenue. If Marpi loses its value, if the tourists stop coming, and the revenue they generate disappears, the people of the CNMI will face even larger increases in gas and other costs, even larger cuts in pay and work time.
We need every one’s help— be it a little or a lot, a single donation or one every week or month or quarter — to make sure that our attorneys have the support they need so that Marpi continues to be protected, that the poles leading to the public cemetery are removed, and that no further development occurs without a community-sanctioned land use plan.
Donations can be made by cash directly to Tina Sablan or Laurie Peterka, who will write out a receipt on the spot, or by a check made out to the Marianas Resource Conservation and Development Council, with “Friends of Marpi” written in the memo line. The checks can be given to Laurie or Tina, who are both members of the MRCD Council, or sent to P.O. Box 501969, Saipan, MP, or to MRCD at First Hawaiian Bank Building, 400 Route 8, Ste. 301, Mongmong, Guam 96910. Names of donors will be kept confidential, unless specific permission is given to the contrary.
RUTH L. TIGHE
Tanapag, Saipan
