Consider massage-gate. Instead of taking responsibility for his own actions, acknowledging that he has no one to blame but himself and apologizing to the people for this latest embarrassment to the CNMI, he decided to “get back” at the islands’ only independent newspaper for disclosing his shameless abuse of power. Since November, his administration has refused to provide information to Variety reporters, but clearly we have not learned our “lesson” and should be “disciplined” more severely. Hence, the cancellation of federally financed public information ads, and never mind if he has no authority over the funds or even if a contract was already signed.
Surely, the governor should know that he is not the first, and certainly not the last, chief executive who is unhappy with this newspaper. Surely he knows, or should already know, that we are beholden to no one but to the local community which we have been serving for close to four decades now. We do not change our editorial position after every election. We do not protect someone’s business interests. We do not promote anyone’s political ambitions. We are always for free speech, good government, free enterprise, personal responsibility and community service. We support and will continue to support those who share these values and oppose those who don’t. Not surprisingly, the opposition always likes this newspaper — until they get into office.
In any case, we could not endorse the governor’s re-election efforts even though, after Nov. 7, his victory seemed inevitable. We believed then, as we do now, that incompetence, mismanagement and failed leadership did not deserve another term. If the governor thinks we should be punished for being honest and for refusing to kowtow before him — even though it would be literally profitable for us to do so — then so be it.
Our business is to be a newspaper — to provide information vital to the community and a forum for the variety of opinions without which there will be no workable democracy. It is our duty to defend the freedom of the press, not on our own behalf but in the general public interest. Freedom of the press belongs to the people.
We are, moreover, a locally owned newspaper. This is our home. We care for its welfare. The governor’s petty vindictiveness notwithstanding, we will continue to give voice to the voiceless and hold the powerful accountable. The good people of the CNMI expect nothing less.
A blank check from a broke government
THE 17th Legislature’s first order of business was to give the governor unlimited reprogramming authority so he can shift what little resources this bankrupt government has to prop up home loan payments for NMHC’s delinquent clients.
Instead of educating the public on the full range of federal financial assistance available to homeowners for mortgage obligations, lawmakers, once again, gave the governor a blank check. The gargantuan federal bailout-stimulus package was intended in part to help businesses and homeowners cope with financial obligations against a backdrop of job loss, diminished income, and aggressive bank collection efforts. CNMI government agencies should be informing the public what federal programs are available for supplemental assistance before exhausting what little local resources are available for what is in essence a personal loan. Can folks with regular bank loans approach the Legislature, too, and ask for relief on their mortgage payments?
And so the governor will be granted unlimited reprogramming authority to help individual homeowners, but little information is available to the public about how much of a bailout is required, how many applicants are approaching default and who these recipients are.
If the Legislature and the governor can take this approach with homeowners, how come they can’t take the same speedy action to rescue the Retirement Fund, which has thousands more relying on it for basic survival? But the executive and legislative branches of government aren’t paying attention to the seriousness of the situation even as Retirement Fund officials are making their rounds to officials on Capital Hill pleading for a pledge, any pledge, of regular payments to secure the continuity of the retirees’ pensions.
Speaking of the Retirement Fund
IS it legal for a private non-profit organization to have a seat on a constitutionally created board? Isn’t there a conflict of interest there? Wouldn’t the non-profit be committed to its membership? Whose interest does the nonprofit board member represent anyway — the non-profit organization or the Retirement Fund? If the non-profit member owes a fiduciary duty to another organization can this member serve on the Retirement Fund board without breaching that fiduciary duty at the outset? Wouldn’t the Retirement Fund board have a higher duty to protect the Fund? Is there an instance when those two interests might diverge? Can a taxpayer sue the non-profit board member on the Retirement Fund board for negligence or breach of fiduciary duty?
Non-profit organizations can be very effective and there is no doubt that retired persons constitute an effective and powerful lobby, as they should be, but should they also have a seat on the Retirement Fund board? That would be like permitting the AARP to have a seat on the Security Exchange Commission or the Social Security office. Even though retired persons have a huge interest in these government agencies, it doesn’t mean they should be part of them.
At any rate, new problems and complications are inadvertently created in trying to fix old problems when the solution can be found in not tinkering with anything at all. It seems the biggest problem everyone has is compelling the executive branch to make payments to the Retirement Fund. All efforts should concentrate on that one objective only.
Good job, so far
ONE newly elected politician already stands heads and shoulders above the rest — the mayor of Saipan. Barely one month in office and he is everywhere on island, pushing for beautification projects, animal protection, public safety, education, reaching out effectively to various community sectors to advance legislation and programs that have languished for years.
This mayor deserves the community’s support. He has demonstrated that high energy and a commitment to work with different parties can accomplish goals.
We congratulate the mayor of Saipan for a terrific performance in his first few months in office. Let’s help him maintain the pace.
