Smith offered Mayor Tudela his “Shovel Ready” project for Saipan residents who may be interested in controlling their weight.
“I wanted to send you a quick note of thanks for allowing me to present to you and the other municipal staff members my 50 Million Pound Challenge during last week’s conference,” Smith said in his letter to Tudela this week
“Too many of our beloved ones have lost their lives too early or are suffering unnecessarily from medical complications that stem from being overweight or obese,” Smith said.
Tudela is a member of the Health, Education and Welfare Committee of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
The Office of the Mayor of Saipan is a collaborative community partner with the Department of Public Health, the Head Start program and health providers in the private sector locally.
The office also has sponsored walkathons and health checkups in the past to raise public awareness regarding the importance of daily exercises by walking and running and other form of physical activities.
Tudela looks forward to introducing Smith’s 50 Million Dollar Pound Challenge to the people of Saipan.
Weight watchers and health-conscious residents may now log on to www.50millionpounds.com to get more information on how to stay fit and healthy.
NMC offers promotional rate for Japanese class
(NMC) — Northern Marianas College, through the Division of Community Programs and Services’ Community Development Institute, is offering a short-term course to interested individuals who wish to improve their intermediate Japanese language skills.
The course is offered as part of the college’s mission to provide customized, continuing educational and professional development opportunities in response to community needs.
Additionally, the course is designed to reinforce the fundamentals of the Japanese language through the enhancement of one’s listening, comprehension, vocabulary, and expression.
Intermediate Japanese Language Development Course
Instructor: Hiroko Yasukata
March 3-May 12, 2009 (Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday), 3 to 4 p.m., Room Q-1(NMC Campus)
Fee: $240
For a more detailed description of the course, contact CDI at 234-5498 ext. 1010 or log on to www.nmcnet.edu.
All interested individuals should register at least seven days before the first day of class.
Certificates of attendance and competence will be awarded to registered students who complete all course requirements.
Full payment is required for admission to a class.
To register or for information about the course, visit the CDI office in Building P on the NMC campus in As Terlaje, call John Manalo at 234-5498 extension 1010, or e-mail [email protected].
NMC chairman: Administrative procedures are in place
(NMC) — In response to the recent media reports concerning Northern Marianas College, its board of regents yesterday issued a statement reminding and encouraging all employees to exercise their rights under the administrative policies and procedures.
“I, along with the rest of the board of regents, am very concerned about some of the reports that have recently been released through media outlets and through conversations with other individuals,” said NMC Chairman Charles V. Cepeda. “We want to remind employees who have any grievance against the president or other managers/supervisors about making use of administrative procedures that are in place specifically for this purpose.”
“If these grievances are not adequately addressed by the college administration, they are then conveyed to the board for disposition,” Cepeda said.
Employees also have other links to the board of regents, he added.
“All constituent groups, including students, staff, and faculty, select a representative to the board of regents. These representatives include the Faculty Senate president, Staff Senate president, and the president of the Student Government, all of whom are honorary members to the board,” Cepeda said.
Members of the community can also directly address the regents at regular board meetings during the public comments segment, he said.
“We do not want to jeopardize the college’s accreditation by overstepping our boundaries as board members,” said Cepeda. “This was a significant issue in previous findings from past accreditation reports.”
He added, “We would like to see the governance processes that are in place run their course. These processes have resulted from significant input from students, staff, and faculty and we want to be sure they are fully maximized.”
He said the board has “placed its confidence in NMC President Dr. Carmen Fernandez’s ability to address the ongoing concerns at the administrative level. These are challenging times for the NMC president, she has expressed confidence to the board that she will take care of the issues and concerns of all involved professionally and expediently.”
‘Diversity Now 2009’
THE NMI Council for the Humanities will conduct an educational workshop featuring students from the CNMI and Guam today, Feb. 20, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Pacific Islands Club Charley’s Cabaret.
“Diversity Now 2009” will help students explore issues of diversity at the school and community level as well as discuss an independent film produced by University of Guam students titled: “Casting Our Net: Rediscovering Community in the 21st Century.”
Attention guest workers
IF your name is on the Department of Labor and Division of Immigration’s recently published “Overstaying” or “Overstayers” list, contact attorney Robert Myers at 234-3184 ext. 104, e-mail [email protected], or visit his Web site www.Lwyr4u.com, to learn more about your legal rights.
Live fire training
(EMO) — The U.S. military will conduct live fire releases on Feb. 23-27 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Farallon de Mendenilla.
Due to the danger imposed by this activity, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial is strongly advising the public, especially fishermen, commercial pilots and marine tour operators, to stay away from this area during the time and date indicated.
Should you have any questions, contact the Emergency Management Office at 322-9528 or 322-9529, VHF marine channel 16, or through HF single sideband radio on 5.205.0.
Ribbon-cutting ceremony
(Office of the Mayor of Saipan) — Members of the public are invited to the Sugar King Northern Marianas Japan Cultural Center ribbon-cutting ceremony today, Feb. 20, 10 a.m. at the Sugar King Estate, Garapan.
SBA warns of bank account fraud
WASHINGTON (SBA) — The U.S. Small Business Administration issued a scam alert to small businesses, warning them not to respond to letters falsely claiming to have been sent by the SBA asking for bank account information in order to qualify them for federal tax rebates.
The fraudulent letters were sent out with what appears to be an SBA letterhead to small businesses across the country, advising recipients that they may be eligible for a tax rebate under the Economic Stimulus Act, and that SBA is assessing their eligibility for such a rebate.
The letter asks the small business to provide the name of its bank and account number.
These letters have not been sent by or authorized by the SBA, and all small businesses are strongly advised not to respond to them.
The scheme is similar in many ways to e-mail scams often referred to as “phishing” that seek personal data and financial account information that enables another party to access and individual’s bank accounts or to engage in identity theft.
The SBA is working with the SBA Office of Inspector General to investigate this matter.
The Office of Inspector General asks that anyone who receives such a letter report it to the OIG Fraud Line at 1-800-767-0385, or e-mail [email protected].
Petition, letter writing focus on proposed tourism visa regs
(MVA) — The Marianas Visitors Authority continues to urge community members to join the petition and letter writing campaign seeking a delay by the Department of Homeland Security in the implementation of proposed tourism visa regulations.
MVA clarified that the petition does seek an overall delay in CNMI immigration federalization under U.S. P.L. 110-229, which includes tourism visa regulations affecting visitors from the People’s Republic of China and Russia.
Individuals interested in signing or circulating petitions or attaining a form letter may visit the MVA office or download a copy and instructions at www.mymarianas.com.
