“If there’s no limitation they might end up including almost half of the population on Saipan,” he said.
He said he was told that the committee had yet to complete its list of nominees.
But the committee has been receiving suggestions for the inclusion of several individuals.
On Aug. 27, the courtyard project committee announced it would begin accepting the nominations of past and present leaders.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the courtyard project will be held this week.
Rasa believes that the courtyard should honor elected officials only.
“It should only be those who have been given public mandate because whether you like it or not, whether they did perform or not, they were given a mandate,” he said.
He added that a problem will arise if the committee tries to accommodate those who are close to, or have influence, in the government.
“They should not satisfy the concerns of special interests,” he said. He did not elaborate.
On Friday, the Saipan municipal council said it had already received some nominations but the committee was still “finalizing” the names.
Rasa said the committee can get complete records from the Commonwealth Election Commission, the Indigenous Affairs Office and the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs.
As agreed by the committee, the Saipan leaders who will be recognized include those from the naval, Trust Territory and commonwealth periods.
Variety also learned that the committee received a proposal to recognize the traditional chiefs of the Carolinian community.
“When it comes to the chiefs, you have to establish a leadership criteria that will determine who’s a chief and who’s not,” Rasa said.
