At the town hall meetings, Sablan will be taking questions about issues important to CNMI residents, and asking for input on legislation currently before the U.S. Congress.
These will be the second time Sablan will be hosting town hall meetings on Tinian and Rota. The first such gatherings were held last year in August.
“The discussion from last year’s town hall meetings in Tinian and Rota were extremely productive,” said Sablan. “The feedback I received from the meetings on Tinian and Rota helped provide a deeper insight into what the residents of those islands were concerned about and what kind of changes they would like to see happen.”
The first town hall meeting will be held from 6 p.m. to 8p.m. in the cafeteria of Tinian Elementary School on Tuesday, June 1.
The town hall meeting on Rota will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on June 3 in the Sinapalo Elementary School cafeteria.
“I already hear by phone and e-mail from many people in the Northern Marianas about their concerns and opinions regarding national policy and the events they hear or read about in the media,” Sablan said. “But these town halls will give me a chance to see people face to face, and, I hope, hear from even more of the people I am representing in Congress.”
He added, “I want to talk with everyone directly about their concerns and what I can do to represent them well in Washington.”
Some of the issues expected to be discussed are the recently-enacted health care reform law, expanding educational opportunities for the people of the CNMI, the federalized immigration system, energy alternatives for the islands, environmental protection, and the services Sablan’s office can provide directly to constituents.
“I invite everyone to attend and participate in what I hope will be a very open and productive dialogue,” said Sablan.
