While others would shy away or step back from difficult tasks, Hofschneider and Palacios sees them as opportunities to grow for the better and is the reason why they decided to run for executive office.
“The challenges are real and daunting, but this is what brings out the best in people. This is the best time to be a public servant so you could serve your community to the best of your ability and see what you are capable of achieving,” said Hofschneider.
“We need to step up to the plate. We know we have the best ideas on how to deal with our problems and challenges today,” he said.
Palacios agrees.
“We have the heart and the personal willingness to do what we can to serve our people. We have an honest, straightforward approach and at the end of the day, it is not about our differences, but the public’s interest first,” said Palacios.
After 16 years of serving in the House of Representatives, Hofschneider has had direct experience in being a part of the islands’ policy making and he believes it’s time to take the bull by the horns.
“We know first hand what the Commonwealth has gone through and what it needs to reach our goals of economic recovery. We are realistic in our approach and will use all the resources and talents available to achieve our objectives,” said Hofschneider.
Hofschneider and Palacios primary objective is the islands’ economy.
“It’s economy, economy, economy. Without a stable and efficient economy, all other objectives could not be reached. We are going to put the best and qualified minds together to create an economic master plan for the CNMI,” said Hofschneider.
“For too long, we have been walking around with no plans. We currently don’t even have a plan to address the military build-up on Guam. We must have a good sense of direction, a solid plan and an excellent team in place to reach all our objectives,” said Palacios.
The team Hofschneider and Palacios will be putting together is not based on age or political affiliations, but on who is the most qualified for the position.
“The members of our team can’t have their own personal agendas—they have to be willing to sacrifice long working hours, put their heart into their work and realize there are no more luxuries,” said Hofschneider.
“Our team will be composed of talented and professional people who are very much qualified for their positions and are leaders in their own right. We have our ideas, but we are also ready to listen to better methods or suggestions. We are not afraid of criticism. We will also not hesitate to remove anyone who is not performing,” he said.
Palacios, after years of public service in the CNMI Legislature and currently its House of Representatives Speaker, also has developed his own tough skin.
“I listen to constructive criticism and learn how to better my approach. We will have a team who tells us what we need to know, not what we want to hear,” he said.
This concise, decisive approach comes from their years of working with so many different people, organizations and agencies and Hofschneider and Palacios know how to pull a team together for a common purpose.
Some of the major projects under their belt reflect that.
Palacios is particularly proud of the Smiling Cove Marina project. “It took years of hard work, collaboration and being creative in finding outside funding. I am proud of what we had to go through to see it though,” he said.
Out of the many other projects they helped create or supported, such as the Guma Esperansa, and the Transition Living Quarters, Hofschneider and Palacios recall proudly working together on the Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance (SHEFA) Program.
“It was one of my first pieces of legislation and Heinz gave me some ideas on how to put together raising the poker machine fees for scholarships,” said Palacios.
With a long term working relationship in place, Hofschneider and Palacios are confident they are ready to lead the Commonwealth with its people first in their minds.
“We are public servants with the strong desire to better the lives of our Commonwealth citizens,” said Hofschneider. “We are ready to lead.”
