THE Truth Be Told, I’m sure most of those who went through Sinlaku LEARNED some very important lessons. Global warming has changed the dynamics of our weather system which led to one of the most powerful typhoons the CNMI has ever seen in recorded history. It was almost unimaginable that WE would see a constant 150 mph-plus that went on for a Day/a Half! But I’m sure one of the biggest concerns is the FAILURE of too many Gas Stations to open, as it’s obvious some could not open due to flooding, but the nonfunctioning generators is neglect & not acceptable given the millions WE the People spend on YOUR gas. I truly hope the gas stations will be MORE AWARE & Patriotic in the future and do everything possible to “prepare & make sure they open when WE needed them the MOST”! Gas lines were MILES long with hours of waiting time, which should not be the case given the number of stations on Saipan. Our gas stations are the lifelines for first responders & residents so I hope they will view it as their “civic responsibility more seriously and be PREPARED for Typhoons like the rest of us Regular-Folks have to do”! So PLEASE, with ice cream & cake, Keep your Generators Serviced & READY, as its too darn late after the typhoon has hit!
Sinlaku also gave the island a “haircut” exposing the many awesome views from Capital Hill to Laolao Bay and other location. It was truly refreshing to see the awesome view of the Airport and Tinian from the Laolao Hill where the view is now exposed again. But will our CNMI government take action to preserve these views bestowed upon us my nature or just neglect the need to take advantage of the unsolicited help of nature to expose these awesome views — it’s called turning the adversity of the typhoon into progress for our Tourism Industry! There was also a lot of the flooding from water not going into the “runoff channels” that steer the water to the reservoirs that have NEVER been filled with the runoff-water. Every reservoir in Kagman was never filled with the intended runoff-water. The failure to properly remove the grass and grade the easement with gravel so water will go off the roads into the runoff trenches instead of flowing on the roads — a simple & permanent fix that has never been undertaken. But I hope DPW has learned its lesson from Sinlaku.
But more importantly, the Kagman Peninsular with only one entrance was exposed as a real “Death Trap” for the residents. For nearly two decades Ambrodamus has been calling for the alternate road that passed by the Juvenile Facility to be completed, as it connects to San Vicente. The many power poles that blocked the road and the sinkhole that almost took out the entire road were clear warnings that the People on the peninsular could easily be TRAPPED with no access, especially for emergencies. WE are just fortunate no one died from the inability to reach the hospital. The once “Typhoon Ally” with Typhoons originating in the Marshals has shifted to “the Marianas Corridor” and given Global Warming & Intensifying Typhoons that day of reckoning for the peninsular is coming. WE (thousands of residents) can’t afford to be trapped with no alternative route in & out of Kagman! So PLEASE put the alternate access road on the list for Emergency Federal Highway Funding. The alternate route is clearly justifiable and the People of Kagman deserve to have an alternate route for First Responders to enter/exit Kagman or the peninsular will continue to be a Death Trap just waiting to be sprung by nature (Typhoon, Earthquake & a Washed-out Road!
But I do hope the 29-Legislatures were out & offering help to THEIR People which would even be good for their political future, but I doubt if all were active so make note voters of WHO you saw and didn’t see. KUDOS to my niao Vincente Semmons, who volunteered his services to fix People’s Generators for Free and his efforts to try and get the water restored. Vince is “Real People,” as WE say in my culture & THANKS for your Public Service niao, you are Truly Appreciated and the same to ALL the Good CNMI Samaritans! I must also offer KUDOS to ALL of the People & Organizations who stepped up to fill the many voids in the quality of life for the People. There are just too many to mention but I must say KUDOS to Dr. Galvin for going door-to-door to offer his personal assistance and to DOL Secretary Leila Staffler for the Food Drive & World Kitchens, and the Cancer Association for offering their help, as I personally saw them in live & living action. I can’t list everyone & every entity but please know “YOU are Truly APPRECIATED” and please “keep-it-up” — Marianas Strong! One People One Direction FOR a Better CNMI & the Dream!!!
AMBROSE M. BENNETT
Kagman, Saipan
