Senate Floor Leader Jude U. Hosfchneider, R-Tinian, said the group will represent all sectors in the community including religious and non-profit organizations, environmental groups, businesspersons, and the municipal government.
“The objective is to learn more about the military plans for Tinian,” he said. “Our people need to know what kind of developments they want for the island. It is important that we’re ready.”
Hofschneider, along with other CNMI officials were on Guam recently for the two-day military buildup forum that discussed public safety and environmental issues.
He said the Tinian delegation will closely work with the Fitial administration in the creation of the task force which they will call the Civilian Task Force for Military Movement on Tinian.
“We’re very aggressive in creating it because we need to be informed about everything that will affect our people and the proper time is now,” the senator said.
Two-thirds of Tinian land are reserved for military activities.
Hofschneider said they are anticipating a request for additional land acquisition from the military.
“That’s a possibility that we’re not discounting,” he said. “If it does come to the table then we will conduct the necessary dialogue with the concerned people — our residents.”
He added, “We want to make sure that our people fully understand why the military is here and the benefits it could bring to our economy as a whole. We will receive an influx of new people with different perspectives and cultural backgrounds…and there’s a need to prepare our people for these changes.”
