Shortly after it concluded, the same administration that wanted our community to sit down and work on ways to boost our tourism market began to plant huge power poles in Marpi. No public hearings. No discussions. No input from the community. And their reason? “So we can have power at the cemetery. You know, to run the sprinklers and to have lights at night.” Wink wink.
Even Marianas Visitors Authority was opposed to the power poles. They advised against it in a letter that was dated back in December. Who knows better about tourism than the folks who deal with tourists on a daily basis? But of course, even MVA was ignored.
While underground power was suggested, we were told that it would cost about $2 million and that it was too costly. Of course, there are millions and millions of dollars of unspent ARRA funding, so technically, we could have had underground power if this administration chose to do so. Solar and wind panels were another viable option, but this administration eliminated that option because they believed there was a possibility of theft and vandalism. Apparently this administration does not understand that you could have solar panels and wind turbines secured via remote cameras, a few trained guard dogs, and a security guard. That would be cheaper than running power poles all the way in to Marpi to run sprinklers and some lights. By the way, it is a bit absurd that CUC complains that they cannot afford fuel without raising our rates, but yet somehow, they will have enough money to run power at the cemetery along with all those lights attached to the power poles. Are we going to raise the rates once again to provide power in Marpi? Shouldn’t this administration be concentrating on alternative or renewable energy that can reduce the government’s power consumption, especially with the cost of oil once again skyrocketing??
The Attorney General’s Office of course runs to the aid of this administration after a TRO filed last Friday temporarily suspends work on the power poles in Marpi. And what are one of the reported arguments made by the AG’s Office to dismiss the TRO? “Come on Judge, we already had a public hearing.” Yeah right. Back in 2004. These attorneys understand the concept of statute of limitations within the law but completely ignore any statute that deals with good governance and common sense. How pathetic. This is just one more reason why we need an elected attorney general. These days, it seems AG really stands for “Attorney of the Governor.” The AG’s Office is nothing more than an extension of this administration. They seem to uphold the laws according to this administration instead of upholding the laws of the land.
Let’s not kid ourselves. The power poles are being put up for something more than just running a sprinkler and some lights. Is it so we can put up homesteads next to Suicide Cliff? NOBODY is opposed to homesteads. But many of us are opposed to WHERE you put those homesteads. There is still a lot of public land to be used for homesteads. Why put our people all the way out in Marpi? Do we really want development in sacred Marpi and everything that comes with it? Poker parlors, pawn shops, Laundromats, tire shops, and everything else associated with development? If the overwhelming majority of our people want this for Marpi, then we need to support the will of the people. But to force the development of Marpi down all of our throats without so much as a discussion is more than disgusting and insulting — it just plain wrong.
Could the power poles really be intended for a huge resort/future casino in Marpi? It wouldn’t surprise any of us. But of course we would only find out by reading or watching the news or by word of mouth, as this administration is allergic to public hearings and public input.
If there is anything this administration is truly good at, it is at distorting the truth and creating smoke and mirrors. There are some people who will turn this into a RACIAL issue instead of what it really is — an ENVIRONMENTAL issue. These narrow-minded individuals rant and rave at anyone opposed to development in Marpi, claiming they are “Amerikanonpo’asu” or traitors or just plain “stupid haoles,” ignoring the fact that many opposed to the development in Marpi are in fact Chamorros and Carolinians. My wife is opposed to it, as well as many of my Chamorro and Carolinian friends, so this obviously has nothing to do with race.
The bottom line is, EVERYONE deserves to be heard at a public hearing for all monumental decisions affecting our islands, most especially one that allows the development of Marpi. EVERYONE. Regardless of race, gender, wealth, age, or political status or preference. Even crooks and rabid racist thugs deserve to be heard at public hearings. Governor Fitial, Marpi does not belong to you, and it certainly does not belong to me. It belongs to our people. Let our people have a voice and the power to decide on its fate.
A friend of mine asked me, “Why do you care so much about power poles in Marpi?” I explained to him that it is not just about power poles. It is about future development that is guaranteed to follow. And the argument this administration uses, that these poles are “temporary” is about as ludicrous as proclaiming that casinos in Saipan are our only economic salvation.
Brothers and sisters, Marpiis more than a tourist attraction. It is a place where we can admire and enjoy the peace and tranquility that nature has to offer, and at night, gaze upon the billions of stars up in the sky, without light pollution that we get at our villages from houses, hotels, and streetlights. Let us never forget that Marpi has historical and cultural significance, and we must do everything we can to protect it.
Our people deserve better representation and they certainly deserve to have a voice. If we had an open, honest, and transparent government, public hearings would have been held before any poles went up, and a TRO would have been averted. But in an oppressive government that is used to backdoor wheeling and dealing and sole sourcing out its contracts, a TRO was the only practical option. Come on governor. As a wise woman once said, “It is never too late to do the right thing.” Hold a public hearing. Our people deserve to be heard.
ED PROPST
Dandan, Saipan
