Sounds a little harsh? You bet it is. It’s a little short of grandstanding. But how else should we approach the root of the many problems we face today and as written, can potentially spell our doom in the future? With a handshake and a smile followed by endless mother, may I’s? Maybe not. Why did our Covenant negotiators were so willing to hand off our sovereignty to the United States under the Covenant? But they did. Did we understand sovereignty then? Do we really understand sovereignty now? What does it mean? Does it impact us? Our livelihood and our ability and desire to govern ourselves? Sovereignty is a real serious issue. In my opinion, sovereignty is our soul. It is the soul of our government, the very foundation that holds the Chamorros, the Refaluasch, the Chamolinians together.
When we signed the Covenant, we gave away that binding foundation, the authority and the right to govern ourselves in a global sense. The U.N. Trusteeship Council back then said that we were a sovereign nation. And we were sovereign, and that creates sovereignty. We had sovereignty. We had had that sovereignty since the day we were born in East Asia, and as we left East Asia and crossed the Gobi, crossed China. and traversed the vast China Sea, plowed through the Philippines, and the Malay Peninsula, and braved another vast ocean crossing into the now Guam. Our mother island. Our sovereignty came with us. Sovereignty cannot be torn away from the bearer. And each one of us, wayfarers, is sovereign. Our ancestors in Guam, they got leaders. Sovereign and sovereignty. And they argue with the Americans about it. They, too, know about being sovereign and sovereignty. All the while, our sovereignty migrated with us. That’s because sovereignty cannot be extricated or torn away from us. It’s an integral part of us. It is the authority and right to govern ourselves and to usher our people into an organized group. If you remove that, you get chaos. Helter skelter. Doldrum.
When we handed over to the Americans our sovereignty, we destroyed our foundation, our very soul which came with us from East Asia, and we placed ourselves at the mercy of this multi-ethnic country America. Our sovereignty is sitting in Washington, not with us. We handed it away. Because the U.S. has our sovereignty, it can come and make demands. It took away our control of our own immigration as well as our submerged lands and wetlands and swamps. That’s a nice way of putting it. The truth is, the United States took advantage of our unique relationship knowing very well that we were in our political infancy back then. We were to be brought up gradually into the 20th century so we don’t destroy our culture and traditions. So say the American anthropologists. President Kennedy didn’t agree. He sent in the Peace Corp, and the AESCP people to hasten our education. So now, we’re not that naive. But for the record and those who do not know any better, we are not a U.S. territory, we’re not under the U.S., we’re not a possession of the U.S. Commonwealth is a kind of government, a political partnership, which we adopted from Puerto Rico, instead of the Cook Island.
We allowed the U.S. as our overseer. Not possessor. Do not let the term commonwealth fool you. It is a kind of political status that’s amendable. Period. Despite the Covenant, the U.S., unilaterally, took over our immigration and submerged lands. Was it vengeance? Abramoff and DeLay? Objection to the garment labels? It didn’t want us to live in comfort? Congressman George Miller, the friend of the garment factories in California? In 1976, we voted for a political union with the U.S., and with that we handed over our sovereignty on a silver platter. Why did we do that? Is it because we are humble people? In deep humility? “Con respeto, saina, na magof hao ya un atiende i bisita?” In Sablan v. Inos, 3 N.M.I 418 (1993) court case, it says in part, “they did not enter into the Covenant to become a territory or possession of the U.S.” In reviewing the Covenant and discussing it with several Con-Con delegates involved in the Covenant negotiation, our aspirations, and the U.S. purpose, should be kept in mind. Our aspirations? Grant-in-aid, citizenship, food stamp (NAP), etc. A welfare state. What about the U.S.? What exactly did it want? Our archipelago. The entire Marianas archipelago. U.S. defense forward echelon, a blocker for the West Coast against Asia and the Vladivostok-Kamchatka line?
Is ANZUS not adequate? Wabol v. Villacrusis, 1 N.M.I. 34 (1989), rev’d, 11 F.3d 124 (9th Cir. 1993) says, in part, “All acts of U.S. Congress and NMI Legislature relevant to Covenant should be interpreted consistent with Covenant, unless a contrary intention is clear.” The U.S. actions on our immigration and submerged lands signify a contrary intention in that both actions had the potential to negatively impact our ability to self-govern. They knew that, but acted against our interest. Why did these happen and why has the U.S. ignored our cases and pleas? Not exactly what we had in mind when we had the plebiscite. Our problems did not just surface yesterday. Take a long hard look at cases brought before the 9th Circuit Court and you’ll begin to understand that our political partner has, in fact, abused our relationship because of one word “sovereignty.” This clause “under the sovereignty of the United States” has to be taken out. No excuses. We were sovereign once until some people, somehow, willingly surrendered it. The following excerpts on sovereignty highlight the issue: 1. The Covenant is a solemn agreement entered into between the U.S. and us. The U.S. and we, mutually, agreed on the level as two separate but equal sovereign entities. The Covenant governs the relationship between the parties. Sablan v. Inos, 2 N.M.I. 388 (1991). 2. The Covenant is a permanent, binding and solemn agreement entered into between two sovereign peoples, the U.S. and us. Wabol v. Villacrusis, 1 N.M.I. 34 (1989), rev’d, 11 F.3d 124 (9th Cir. 1993). Our issues, problems, and countless challenges now and in the foreseeable future, say we need change. The notion that by dumping dollar handouts for funded programs and projects, we shall remain minions of a political partner is an insult to us. The submerged lands. The U.S. took from the ocean floor up to what used to be our 200-mile economic zone. Manganese nodules, oil platforms, oil refinery up north, etc. And what about our wetlands? The hagoi, the sisomyan Susupe-Chalan Piao, the Sadog Tasi, the Sadog Mamis, the Sadog Dogas, the sisomyan Achugao, the sisomyan Puntan Flores, etc.? Who says these are under U.S. jurisdiction? And our designated endangered species—flora and fauna and marked off-limits. Who decided that? Sovereignty?
Finally, for now anyway, the issue of our immigration control. If we do not control our immigration, we’ll continue to be under U.S. mercy, and hopes of economic survival and prosperity are diminished substantially. The visa-waiver policy for China, the ill-conceived and applied CW program and the restrictions under the E2C and H2 programs are not helping us whatsoever. They are choking our economy and our hopes and chances at successful self-government as mandated by the U.N. The CW program has been drawing down and capped with an end date of Dec. 31, 2019. This does not mean that when it ceases, all the CW workers must then exit. The program has a set duration of 12 months only for each and every applicant. Those who expire on Jan. 1, 2019 must exit within 10 days unless they convert to the more expensive and restrictive H2 program.
So our CW workers and many business operators, will go, barring anything big that could not be handled. By the way, do you know that we have many Chinese workers and since China is not included in the H2 program, they simply do not qualify and must leave as well? Bye, bye most small businesses. Bye, bye employees. Welcome to our version of hell on earth. So, 902 team, Governor Torres, 19th Legislature, and soon to be 20th Legislature, take heed. Seek solutions to our Covenant casualties and our economy. Do you understand what is economy and economics, for that matter? Galbraith? Keynes? Macro-economics and Micro-economics? We have many educated residents who majored in economics, and could easily unravel those questions. Now, let’s restructure the legislature—unicameral—nine senators. Use the initiative process. Governor Torres, reorganize the administration. Cut or merge offices, divisions, departments performing similar or duplicate projects, goals and objectives, especially those who are not sure what’s their departments’ goals and objectives. Take SHEFA out of the Saipan Mayor’s Office and merge it with the Commonwealth scholarship office. Re-program the money of those offices you closed. Take back CUC, abolish the board, and put it under DPW as before. You save money. Move DPL back to re-merge with land management office in DLNR and abolish the board. Save money and duplicity. We do not have forever for a solution and neither do you. Neither do we have enough operating money. We owe more gazillions than what we have. Whooping liabilities and minute assets, and even a pinhead capital. We owe the world millions of money, and even if kingdom come, we’ll still owe Lucifer (figure of speech) tera-billions. Re-arrange our source of money to save as much as possible so we could pay our zillions of debts. Roundup those economic majors, political science majors, finance experts, management experts, and see what you can get out of them. And include Red Foxx, Texas oil tycoon. He came to buy Saipan, and hire the High Commissioner as manager. We could have sold Saipan to him had not the High Commissioner objected to the proposal. But, you won’t regret it if you do.
Rudy M. Sablan
Garapan


CNMI State Board of Education member Marylou S. Ada is asking school principals and administrators to become cautious in spending their annual budget. She is advising that all schools should make an annual plan on the things they would need for the entire school year.
Ada said that she was disappointed to see that some schools spend the money in buying non-essential things so they could zero out the fund that was given to them. “When I was BOE chair a few years ago, I was so disappointed on things that I’m seeing on their [purchase orders].”
“These are last-minute things that they are buying so they could spend all of their money. Don’t they plan in the beginning on what are the things they wanted to buy for the school year?.” added Ada, who did not elaborate on what are some of the items.
She said that these are not the usual things that you would buy for the schools. “It is not really something that would benefit the students or the school. These are things like really something that is out of the ordinary.”
“Like it won’t last long. It is not for long-term use. They just want to spend and zero out their budget. Sometimes they don’t plan,” Ada added.
She said that for example the school is allocated $40,000 and by the end of the year they still have $30,000 and they would spend it buying non-important things just to have a zero amount or else the remaining money would be taken away from them.
“It could have gone to fixing classrooms, renovating the bathrooms, fixing their WiFi, or anything that would improve the school and benefit the students. But when I see this entire PO, because they wanted to spend all of their money by the end of the fiscal year. It really makes me sad that something that would need,” said Ada.
Budget meeting
PSS human resources director Cindy Deleon Guerrero, in last week’s Senate budget hearing, said that they always meet and sit down with all the school principals and administrators, and program managers to go through their budget needs.
“When preparing the budget, we call on the principals and program managers. Sit down with them and we go through their staffing patterns and give them the opportunity to tell us what their schools need so that we can include it on the budget request,” said Deleon Guerrero.
“It goes through a series of planning events, not only once. The budget we submit and propose is always the collaboration and work of all administrators and school principals. If there is a cut, it is between what we requested and what we received. We request what we need, what the principals ask for, what we get is a different story.”

‘Schools need to be more cautious in spending’


A 62-year-old crew of cargo vessel M/V Luta died after he reportedly fell into the water from the boat, which was anchored at the West Marina Commercial Port on Rota Tuesday night.
Rota Mayor Efrain Atalig, in a phone interview yesterday, said although police investigation is ongoing, he believes that there was no foul play and that it was a freak accident. He said he was in the area when it happened and witnessed how Fidel Mendiola and others retrieved the victim.
Mendiola is among the owners of M/V Luta, a 150-foot long 500-ton cargo ship.
“What happened to the victim was unfortunate,” Atalig said.
Atalig said he immediately called police and an ambulance.
A witness also told Saipan Tribune yesterday that he too believes that there was no foul play involved as there were several people at the port at that time and that he even saw Mendiola and the boat’s captain jump into the water to save the victim.
The witness said he and Rota Mayor Atalig, along with several others, were eating in the warehouse at the port because they just finished unloading cargo from M/V Luta, which had just arrived from Saipan that same night.
The witness said Mendiola was outside the warehouse talking with someone on the phone and saw the victim fall from the boat.
He estimated that the warehouse is only about 60 feet away from the boat.
The witness said when Mendiola shouted that the victim fell from the vessel, they all ran outside from the warehouse.
He said the victim actually fell into one of the tires attached to the pier so they used a rope to bring him down to the water.
“He was facing up with his legs tangled on the tire. His face was in the water,” the witness said.
The witness said their retrieval was done fast, but the victim was already not moving.
Department of Public Safety acting spokesman Jason Tarkong said that on Tuesday at 11:36pm, Rota DPS Police received a call about an injured person at the West Marina Commercial Port, prompting police and Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services ambulance to respond to the area.
Tarkong said preliminary interview with witnesses at the scene revealed that the victim, a 62-year-old Filipino male, fell off from M/V Luta boat and into the water.
Members of the boat crew assisted in diving into the water and pulling the victim from the water onto shore.
Tarkong said the victim had no pulse and was not breathing and first responders attempted CPR.
The victim was transported to the Rota Health Center and pronounced dead on arrival by Dr. Gregory Kotheimer at 12:04am, Wednesday.
Tarkong said the victim’s name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
“The investigation into this case is ongoing,” Tarkong said. No other details were provided.
The witness said the height from the boat to the water was about 5 feet.
The witness said Mendiola and the captain managed to get to the victim quickly, while police and ambulance later arrived.
The witness said he learned that prior to the fall, the victim and another crew were watching TV in one of the boat’s room. He said the victim then went outside his room and later fell from the side of the boat.
The witness said the victim, a Filipino-American, was an engineer who came on Rota along with the boat from Louisiana, U.S.A., last March.
He said he knows that the victim does not drink alcoholic beverages.
He said the victim was telling other crew that his son from the Philippines came to the U.S. after he successfully petitioned him.
The witness said apparently the son, however, got into an accident at a swimming pool in the U.S. and became comatose.
The witness also disclosed that the victim and the boat’s other crew were complaining about not getting wages lately.
Last May, former Department of Public Lands Secretary John DelRosario filed a taxpayer’s lawsuit against Lt. Gov. Victor B. Hocog and Department of Finance Secretary Larissa Larson over the alleged adoption of a Rota Legislative Delegation resolution without public notice that purportedly authorized payment of $400,000 to a private company owned by relatives of Hocog.
Rota Legislative Delegation Resolution 19-03 was approved “to authorize the Department of Finance to pay for fuel, lubrication, and other costs necessary for the maiden voyage of the vessel from Louisiana to its new home port on Rota, and to provide for the personnel and operational costs of the Office of the Mayor of Rota.”
The M/V Luta was supposed to reduce the waiting time for shipments to come in since the barge is having a hard time to come in to the dock.
M/V Luta was recently used to pick up a 20-member environmental group that was stranded on Pagan for close to a week.

Rota mayor says death of M/V Luta crew a freak accident


Marianas Visitors Authority board director Jerry Tan said Philippine Airlines should not to be blamed on the issue of delayed flights. PAL Express’ flights have always been delayed since the Philippine flag carrier resumed operations on Saipan last June.
Delays on PAL Express flights became a major concern for CNMI customers especially those who are traveling on medical referral. Tan said that PAL is working on it and is trying to find solutions to address the delays.
“The flights from China, Beijing and Shanghai, have always been delayed but we must take into consideration that their airports are among the busiest in the world,” Tan addressed the members of the MVA board.
Tan said that PAL had always been in time when it comes to boarding their Manila to Saipan passengers, but have to wait for the connecting flights from China. “It is not because of PAL, the plane is ready to go. PAL even changed its schedule before the inaugural flight.”
He then asked the public to be more patient as PAL has been studying ways to solve the delays.
CNMI residents, especially Filipino contract workers, welcomed PAL’s decision of reviving its non-stop Saipan-Manila flights. Despite the flight delays, PAL customers still expressed their support since the direct route it offers especially for medical referral patients and vacation.


2016 Endless Summer Beach Volleyball Classic


2016 Pacific Oceania Junior Championships


Department of Public Lands Secretary Marianne Teregeyo said her agency is always open to any member of the community who has questions about certain land deals. The former Department of Lands and Natural Resources special sdvisor to the secretary made the statement after addressing House of Representatives members regarding House Bill 19-82.
HB 19-82 aims to abolish DPL and establish the Marianas Lands Corp. with a board of trustees having the power to manage and control public lands in the CNMI. Rep. Felicidad T. Ogumoro (R-Saipan) introduced the bill.
Teregeyo read DPL’s position paper during the public comments in yesterday’s session at the House chamber. She said that it would be unconstitutional if the bill passes and becomes law.
She added that she had already made an objection when she testified in a committee hearing last year. “The way the bill is set up, it is unconstitutional. A lot of the questions that the bill raised, like the advisory board, had already been addressed and are now in effect.”
“We are open if someone has any questions about. Our books and doors are always open. Anyone who wants to question any land deal, we are open for scrutiny by the Legislature and to the public,” said Teregeyo.
“We’re very prudent and have been managing the department very efficiently. We are doing our best at the department. Best for you to come and check us, we’re always happy and ready to assist,” Teregeyo said.
She added that some of the issues in the bill like having an advisory board, having monthly meetings, and land compensation dealings have been addressed. She made the clarification after reports and a comment by Connie C. Togawa that the DPL had one questionable land deal.
Teregeyo said they gave the Office of the Public Auditor access to DPL documents when she became the head early this year. “OPA investigated one case and we don’t know the result of the investigation. We gave them everything and just opened all the files.”
From MPLA to DPL
Teregeyo said all the issues that were raised in the bill are irrelevant. “The main thing is it is unconstitutional. Before the department was under the board. The board had some questionable deals, that is coming from the committee report, that’s why the board was dissolved.”
DPL was a former division under DLNR and became a separate department in 2006 after then governor Benigno R. Fitial signed HB 15-57 that became PL 15-2, which also abolished the Marianas Public Lands Authority.
Teregeyo said she is asking the Legislature not to act on HB 19-82 and completely remove it from their order of business. “I’m against it and don’t support the bill. We reject it strongly. All issues in that bill have been addressed.”
“Keep in mind that the bill was drafted almost a year and a half ago, between that time and now, all have been addressed. One of the questions was the board never met. I attend the advisory board meetings and we already had two this month so far,” said Teregeyo.
The Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and Northern Islands Mayors nominate one member each for the advisory board with one appointed by the governor. Henry Hofschneider (Saipan), David Evangelista (Tinian), Antonio Quitugua (Rota), William Torres (Northern Islands), and Manuel Mangarero (governor’s appointee) are the DPL advisory board members.
Public comments
Two made their public comments yesterday, from both sides—in favor of abolishment and not in favor. Connie C. Togawa, a former chairperson of the Land Commission that later became Land Registration, was in favor of abolishing DPL, while Bernardo Cruz was against it.
Togawa said DPL’s problem now is its decision making. “Some land transactions are illegal, and have not been reviewed and rectified,” said Togawa, who’s been working on land matters since 1957 and was certified as an expert witness on all land matters by the CNMI Supreme Court.
“I’m seeing irregularities on the way they are giving out land. It is inappropriate and only one is making the decisions. They have an advisory board but they have no power,” added Togawa.
Cruz, on the other hand, does not support DPL being abolished after MPLA took 18,000 square meters of his land in Tanapag and was not properly compensated. “I stand by myself and the witnesses. I want you to rethink your decision regarding DPL, which have been trying to correct the past mistakes.”


Assistant U.S. attorney Garth R. Backe has assured that plural pronouns will be used when it is appropriate during the jury trial of Zhaopeng Chen, one of three Chinese nationals charged in federal court over methamphetamine or “ice” shipment.
Backe, counsel for the U.S. government, said they understand that unfair confusion could arise if plural pronouns are used inappropriately.
Backe said for instance, in the example given by defendant Chen—“they were in the hotel room and [co-defendant Shicheng] Cai made the call about the drugs”—the U.S. government fully expects Cai to testify that “they were in the hotel room when he (Cai) called Sunleader” because all three defendants were in the hotel room.
David G. Banes, the court-appointed counsel for Chen, has filed a motion requesting the U.S. District Court for the NMI to issue an order prohibiting witnesses, interpreters, and counsel from using plural pronouns in formulating questions or providing answers in the upcoming trial.
“Such an order from the court will stave off potential confusion, will reduce the possibility that the jury will be mislead as to defendant Chen’s involvement, presence or knowledge, and will better allow the jury to complete their truth-seeking junction,” said Banes in Chen’s motion in limine.
Motion in limine refers to a request made before the start of a trial asking that the judge rule that certain evidence may, or may not, be introduced to the jury in a trial.
In the U.S. government’s response to the motion, Backe said it is also likely that a law enforcement officer will testify that “they traveled north on Isa Drive toward San Vicente in the FJ Cruiser,” because the evidence will show that Huang and Chen were both in the vehicle when that occurred.
Lastly, Backe said, the U.S. government expects Cai to testify that Huang made statements to him before he picked the paint bucket from Sunleader to the effect that “we will follow and watch out for you,” because Cai will further testify that Huang used that plural pronoun himself.
Thus, Backe said, there is nothing unfair—let alone “substantially unfair” as used in Rule 403—about using plural pronouns in these type of situations.
The indictment charged Chen, Huang, and Cai with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine over the shipment of 4.9 lbs of “ice” worth $850,000 in 2015.
A routine Customs inspection at the Port of Saipan of a 40-foot container from Guangzhou, China, reportedly resulted in the discovery of the 4.9 lbs of “ice” hidden in three plastic bags in one of the nine 5-gallon paint containers on Dec. 2, 2015.
Joint federal and local enforcers investigated the discovery of the “ice” that later led to the arrest of the three defendants.
Huang and Cai both pleaded guilty. Huang was recently slapped with 188 months or 15 years and eight months of imprisonment. Cai has yet to be sentenced.

Federal prosecutor assures plural pronouns to be used appropriately


The House Committee on Natural Resources has pushed out a bill to abolish the Department of Public Lands and establish a Marianas Lands Corp. that would be governed by a board of trustees empowered with managing and controlling the public lands in the Northern Marianas.
The committee, chaired by Rep. Edwin Aldan (Ind-Tinian), recommended the passage of House Bill 19-82, with amendments, in a standing committee report on Aug. 12.
The amendment deletes an earlier provision that essentially gave the governor the power to appoint the five-member board with advice and consent of the Senate.
The original provision allowed for one member to be from Rota, another from Tinian, and three from Saipan.
The bill now provides a board made up of one resident from the First Senatorial District, or Rota, appointed by the Rota mayor, one resident, from the Second Senatorial District, or Tinian, appointed by the Tinian mayor, one member from the Third Senatorial District, or Saipan and the Northern Islands, appointed by the Saipan mayor, and another member from the Third Senatorial District appointed by the Northern Islands mayor, and “one resident of the Commonwealth at large” to be selected by the governor with advice and consent of the Senate.
In their report, the committee cites the law, or Public Law 15-2, that abolished the Marianas Public Lands Authority to create the Department of Public Lands, transferring the power to manage and administer CNMI public land to the Executive Branch.
The committee noted that the public law established an advisory board comprised of five members from each senatorial district and the CNMI at large by the mayors and governor.
However, the committee believes DPL has been operating and making independent decisions on matters that are directly related to public land management without the presence, input, and advice of the public land advisory board.
“[DPL] has failed to practice ‘due diligence and strict standard of fiduciary care’ in carrying out the mandates of P.L. 15-2,” the committee states, citing the public law.
“Since it was established” the advisory board “has not been organized,” the committee went on to state. “Absence the participation of the Public Lands Advisory Board, the Department of Public Lands has failed to comply with the mandate of Section 2 of P.L. No. 15-2, which requires and holds the secretary to ‘strict standard of fiduciary care.’”
Citing these alleged “inconsistencies” in the implementation and enforcement of the public law and the interest of protecting public lands, which belong to people of Northern Marianas Descent, the committee said they agree with the bill, which was authored by Rep. Felicidad Ogumoro (R-Saipan).
The report also summarizes public hearings held on the bill on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
It found overall consensus of testimony on Rota to be in support of the bill, overall consensus from testimony on Saipan as “overwhelmingly against,” and stated that a the third hearing on Tinian gathered a majority of individuals in support of the bill.

House committee recommends passage of bill abolishing DPL


Joy and disappointment greeted the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ decision of deferred action for capped out workers under the CNMI-Only Transitional Worker nonimmigrant visa.
While CNMI officials thanked USCIS Director Leon Rodriguez for addressing the issue; others, however, called it a little too late with more than half of the affected workers having already left the CNMI as they followed the USCIS’ strict rules that one must exit the CNMI if your CW-1 visa is about to expire.
In a letter addressed to Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Delegate Gregorio “Kilili” C. Sablan (Ind.-MP), Rodriguez said they understood the impact of the CW-1 cap to the CNMI’s economy and the workers themselves including their families, most of whom have underage children.
“We understand the potential impacts of the CW-1 numerical limits on transitional workers and their families, and we recognize that the current circumstances affect long-term workers and residents whose CW-1 nonimmigrant status cannot be extended and may create particular uncertainty and hardship in some cases,” Rodriguez said in the letter.
USCIS decided to grant a 240-day extension to employees who will have expiring CW-1 visas. This means the employee whose CW-1 visa that was previously approved, had already expired can still work for the next eight months.
This rule, however, applies if your current employer has already filed a CW-1 petition asking to continue your previous approved employment; the employer files the petition before the employee’s CW-1 status expires; and the employer asks to extend the stay of the employee in the petition.
Torres thanked Rodriguez for the concern he has shown on the current situation of the CNMI. He said his administration made a huge effort in relaying the situation to the proper channels to avoid any economic or humanitarian effect.
“Since learning of the economic and humanitarian effects of the CW cap being reached early
this year, I have made every effort to explain and relay the situation on the ground and why immediate action is necessary,” said Torres.
“I sincerely appreciate today’s announcement, but recognize that we have much work to do in ensuring this transition period achieves its goals with the least possible harm to the fragile CNMI economy and the many families who call our islands home,” he added.
“There are many good, hardworking people in USCIS and the Department of Homeland
Security who have listened to the CNMI’s concerns in both 902 consultations and bilateral discussion and have worked hard to provide this relief to many.”
Sablan, in a statement, also echoed the same statement adding that Rodriguez’s department “intends to address the humanitarian issues arising from its May announcement to close applications for CW-1 permits for the rest of fiscal year 2016.”
He said the USCIS considered a deferred action to long-term CNMI workers whose CW-1 permits had already expired or will expire before Oct. 1, the start of fiscal year 2017.
“The decision will not affect workers who have already left the [CNMI]. But those who have remained after their permits expired or whose permits have not yet expired will be able to apply for deferred action,” Sablan added.
240-day rule
Here are some points of the 240-day rule, according to the USCIS, the additional employment authorization period begins on the date the employee’s CW-1 status expires and continues until USCIS issues a decision on the petition or until 240 days after the CW-1 status expires, whichever comes first. The terms and conditions must remain the same as those previously approved.
Furthermore, if the employer’s petition requesting an extension of stay is granted, the period of authorized employment under the 240-day provision ends on the date of the decision. The employee’s CW-1 status is extended, and the employee may continue employment with the same employer during the validity period of the extension.
If the employer’s petition is granted, but the application for extension of status is denied (referred to as split decision) the employee’s work authorization under the 240-day provision ends on the date of the decision.
If the employee’s CW-1 status has already expired, the employee must stop working at that time. The employee is eligible to obtain CW-1 status based upon the approved petition, but can only do so by leaving the CNMI, obtaining a CW-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad, and returning to the CNMI no earlier than 10 days before the approved employment start date of the petition.
If the employee does this and is admitted to the CNMI in CW-1 nonimmigrant status, then the employee may work in the approved employment during the approved validity dates of the petition.
If the employer’s petition is denied, and the employee’s CW-1 status has already expired, the employee’s work authorization under the 240-day provision ends on the date of that decision. The employee must stop working.
Mixed reactions
Members of the community had mixed reactions on the USCIS ruling with the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands chair and Marianas Visitors Authority board member Gloria Cavanagh thanking Department of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Torres, and Sablan for the efforts they have shown in trying to find a solution to the issue.
“This is good news for those remaining CW-1 employees that are facing much hardship with the fiscal year cap. This will also alleviate worsening conditions with our delicate labor shortage. Our plight for an opportunity to grow our economy is directly tied to having an adequate labor pool. We need a more realistic cap in order to do this,” said Cavanagh.
“Although I don’t totally understand the mechanics nor the politics of this kind of consideration, I am led to believe that this is a huge accommodation for the CNMI. For this HANMI is very thankful.”
Cavanagh, however, said the issue has been tough to some CW-1 workers’ families especially individuals who have kids here. “I must admit though that it is still tough dealing with the splitting up of families that have already occurred over the last couple of months.”
“Personally speaking, we have sent all but one employee back to their homeland to wait for approval of their CW-1s under the new fiscal year. A few of them still have young children being taken cared of by close relatives.”
She said the next thing that needs to be done is the CNMI getting an increase in the cap in order to get the needed workforce that would help sustain the Commonwealth’s economic growth. “The next job is to work on getting approval of the needed increase in our cap.”
“The CNMI is growing exponentially. The original cap was to afford the supply of labor for the operations of the then economy. With growth the way it is now, we are going to fall short very soon with our labor market again.”
Saipan Chamber of Commerce president Velma Palacios also welcomed the news of USCIS’ deferred action that would be beneficial to all CW-1 workers that were affected by the cap, their families, and employers.
“This deferred action provides relief for eligible workers. Since the announcement that the CW-1 cap had been reached in May, businesses had to make adjustments within their operations as some of their employees affected had to leave island,” said Palacios.
“Businesses have instituted training programs and created partnerships to address their human resource requirements. CW-1 workers and their families have made hard decisions: to separate their family or to leave their home altogether.”
She said the CNMI’s renewed economic activity, especially on Saipan, needs the sufficient labor force to support. “Businesses need to maintain those who would be eligible to support their operations. With the continued economic growth in our islands, we need a workforce to support and sustain this growth.”
“Our economy is on recovering from five years ago. We have many new hotel developments that have started construction and some are now in the planning stage. New businesses including restaurant franchises have opened.”
“In addition to the local workforce capacity, we still require our CW-1 workers. We thank Congressman Kilili Sablan and Gov. Torres for working with USCIS.”
CNMI Chinese Association director Rose Chan said although it is a welcome news, it would be better to have a more long-term solution on the issue and the case of long-term guest workers here that spent most of their lives helping the CNMI whether on its best or lean years.
“It’s good news for the employees and the employers. We just hope the USCIS can make a long-term solution on this issue since the CNMI’s economy is getting stable,” said Chan, who owns several businesses on Saipan including Canton Restaurant in Garapan.
Chan added that some Chinese businesses had to temporarily shut down their operations due to lack of employees as they need to exit the CNMI because of expiring CW-1 visas. She is hoping for a better and long-term solution.
“A long-term solution would improve and secure the CNMI’s future. These are employees who stayed and worked here for 10, 20, or 30 years. They have become part of Saipan and called the islands their home.”
She, however, felt bad for those who had already left the CNMI since they have no choice but to follow the USCIS’ ruling. “Those who have expired CW-1s need not leave but I really felt sad for those who went home and followed the law.”
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services district director David Gullick, when he spoke to members of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce early this month, said employers and employees should check the dates of their I-94s and make sure they exit before the expiry date.
Mami Ikeda, who was one the community volunteers that helped victims of Typhoon Soudelor last year, said she was thankful for the USCIS ruling but at the same time sad for those who had already gone home and are waiting for their documents to be released.
“[It’s] sad to know nothing applies to those who complied to their [USCIS] rules and left the island. That they required people to file the application, which I hope is for free. Required the people to apply for [an employment authorization document], which is going to [cost] $390 and takes months to get approved,” said Ikeda.
“Most of all, they still require you to leave the CNMI once your new CW-1 is approved, get a visa, and come back. Is this what we wanted?”
Katrina Punzalan, who was born on Saipan to Filipino parents and is now studying at the University of Washington, said it was ironic to learn about the deferment plan given by the USCIS to those who have expired CW-1 visas.
“It’s ironic how the new deferment plan gives leeway to those who overstayed after their documents expired—exactly what the USCIS has been warning people not to do—before this plan was announced,” said Punzalan, whose parents needed to exit as they were affected by the fiscal year cap.
“I think it’s unfair and a little insulting for any side—federal or local—to think that this is near an adequate response to the issue. It’s a slow response announcing this after over half of the affected individuals have already been forced to flee. They don’t benefit from this at all. Those that are eligible to in the future aren’t even guaranteed protection due to having to demonstrate ‘exceptional” circumstances,’ said Punzalan.
United Filipino Organization president Bong Malasarte, whose group helped in collecting information of long-time CW-1 workers that was part of the USCIS’ requirement, said the 240-day extension is a big help unlike the 10-day grace period which wasn’t enough to process documents or find a new employer.
“We are very thankful to Gov. Ralph [DLG] Torres for sharing the status and concerns of CW-1s to the USCIS. Also thank you to all that supported our signature campaign that we submit to the Governor’s Office and the USCIS recognized the current situation of our long-time foreign workers in the CNMI,” said Malasarte.
“I salute both sides, for those who went back home because they don’t want to risk their current status and also those who made risks for the sake of their families here. For me, there is always a chance to come back.”
He, however, cautioned all CW-1 employees to be cautious of individuals who would take advantage of the situation and at the same time feeding false information. “I hope all CW-1 employees would use the 240-day period the right way. This is a huge chance given to us by the USCIS.”
“This is the time to help each other. Help those who are in need of work to the best of their abilities. Also, know the right information and the correct details. Don’t just settle for second-hand information or from what you’ve heard from others. The information is available from credible sources,” added Malasarte.
Rene Reyes, the Marianas Association for Humanitarian Affairs Ltd. founding president, said it was a positive development in the ongoing plight for improved status of all long-term foreign workers.
“It is welcome news to all and I thank all the individuals who made it happen. But for those who had already left and were not included in the deferment, it is frustrating. These foreign workers were the ones that were affected by the cap, they are the ones that needed to exit to the extent of leaving their children.”


Steven Romie Aguon, a 36-year-old sex offender who has several prior convictions including voluntary manslaughter, was arrested again on Monday for allegedly sexually abusing a 10-year-old boy in Chalan Kanoa.
Aguon was taken to Superior Court yesterday on charges of sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree, assault and battery, and disturbing the peace.
Citing prior convictions, Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio increased cash bail to $100,000 from the original $50,000 cash bail that the court imposed in issuing an arrest warrant.
Assistant public defender Cindy Nesbit was appointed as counsel for Aguon. Assistant attorney general Shannon Foley appeared for the government.
Preliminary hearing will be on Sept. 7 at 9am.
Police Detective Catherine B. Pangelinan stated in her report that three police officers responded to a residence in Chalan Kanoa on Sunday night to investigate a report about sexual abuse of a minor.
Pangelinan said the officers met a woman, who alleged that Aguon sexually abused her 10-year-old son.
Pangelinan said she also responded and during her interview, the boy’s father stated that his son came home late and revealed that he went biking around with Aguon.
The father was concerned because he is aware that Aguon was once arrested for sexual abuse of a minor. When the father felt something wrong he confronted his son to tell the truth.
The son confessed that earlier that day he was playing basketball at Chalan Kanoa District 3 when Aguon came and asked to follow him to his house to build a camp.
Aguon brought the boy to an abandoned vehicle parked outside his house. The defendant then sexually abused the boy inside the abandoned vehicle.
The father later checked on Aguon, but the suspect ran away.
The boy was taken to the Commonwealth Health Center, where a doctor examined him.
In October 2010, then-Superior Court Associate Judge Ramona Manglona imposed a two-year prison term on Aguon for sexual abuse of a minor girl.
In October 2012, U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona Manglona slapped a 24-month prison term against Aguon for immigration document fraud.
Aguon was also arrested and charged before for, among other cases, sexually abusing minor girls. He pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and served prison term over the killing of a Kosraean man in Kannat Tabla in 2001.

Child molester arrested again for another sexual abuse of a minor


Lt. Gov. Victor B. Hocog has claimed that he is entitled to legislative immunity and therefore the Superior Court should dismiss the lawsuit filed against him and Department of Finance Secretary Larrisa Larson by former Department of Public Lands secretary John DelRosario over the transfer of $400,000 in government funds to Luta Mermaid LLC, that owns cargo ship M/V Luta.
But DelRosario, through counsel Jennifer Dockter, disagrees. Dockter said Hocog is not protected by legislative immunity for the acts he undertook without authority and which violated the law, his ethical obligations, and his duty to Commonwealth taxpayers.
In DelRosario’s opposition to Hocog’s motion to dismiss, Dockter said the Rota Legislative Delegation Resolution 19-03 attempting to “appropriate” money is not authorized function of the Senate and did not benefit a group of people equally, rather, it benefitted Hocog’s family.
Resolution 19-03 stated that Rota Legislative Delegation was authorizing the Finance secretary to make payment of not more than $400,000 to Luta Mermaid to pay for costs associated for the M/V Luta’s voyage from Louisiana to Rota. Then-Senate president Hocog introduced the resolution.
Then-assistant attorney general David Lochabay filed Hocog’s motion to dismiss. Lochabay passed away recently.
In Hocog’s motion, Lochabay said to carry out its critical role in the balance of separation of powers, and to promote the public’s interest in having lawmakers who can freely debate and act on behalf of the people, legislative immunity broadly protects all acts carried out in the legislative sphere.
“Even if legislative acts are carried out with malicious intent or in violation of law, no matter—legislative immunity covers them too,” Lochabay said.
Lochabay said DelRosario’s causes of action in his lawsuit against Hocog are founded upon acts that occurred within the protected legislative sphere: attending a legislative session, introducing a resolution, and voting to adopt a resolution.
“These are clearly, and indisputably, legislative acts protected by immunity,” he pointed out.
Lochabay said Hocog’s complained-of conduct—attending a legislative session, and introducing and voting upon a resolution—plainly falls within the legitimate legislative sphere, and so is protected by legislative immunity.
Lochabay said the allegations that these legislative acts may have been carried out in violation of the Open Government Act or the Government Ethics Act does not destroy Hocog’s cloak of immunity, because “the claim of an unworthy purpose does not destroy the privilege.”
Lochabay said Hocog’s intent in carrying out the complained-of conduct is not at issue; nor, is whether he carried out the complained-of conduct in violation of some law at issue.
“What matters here is whether defendant Hocog’s conduct fell within the legitimate legislative sphere—it did,” he said.
In DelRosario’s opposition, Dockter said the issue is whether Hocog has met his burden of showing that his acts which are not authorized by the NMI Constitution—and which violated the government ethics code, violated his fiduciary duties, and improperly spent public funds—are protected activities under the legislative immunity provisions of the NMI Constitution which makes him immune in his official capacity and in his personal capacity.
Dockter cited two reasons that Hocog has not met his burden.
First, the lawyer said, the acts were ad hoc decision-making, which benefitted only a few, and was not the formulation of policy.
Second, she said, regarding Hocog’s liability under the Open Government Act, the provisions of the OGA abrogate legislative immunity.
In any event, Dockter said, the acts which violate the OGA are also not “legislative activity.”
Dockter said the action involved one private company owned by Hocog’s family not the entire community or multiple private companies.
She said the public at large did not benefit, rather, Luta Mermaid LLC—a privately owned company—was simply given $400,000 with no obligation to spend the money for the community, to account for the spending of such money, or to repay the money.
“It was essentially a gift orchestrated by defendant which resulted in a benefit to his own family. This, it was an ad hoc decision, and it benefitted few,” Dockter said.
The lawyer pointed out that just because the act taken is a “vote” does not automatically make the act legislative for purposes of a legislative immunity claim.
Dockter said voting is not enough because Hocog voted not on public policy, not on a law that affects the entire community, but rather he merely acted to give his family $400,000 of public monies.
Dockter said the appropriation of money to a private company owned by Hocog’s family via a resolution was no more a legislative act by the Senate than handing down a sentence of incarceration to a convicted person would have been.

Lt. Gov. Hocog claims legislative immunity


An alleged intoxicated man drove recklessly his car, with his wife and two minor children aboard, toward Suicide Cliff on Tinian, where he only applied the brakes when they were about to hit the wall, then beat her up last week.
Vincent Barcinas Aldan, 27, was arrested on Tuesday afternoon for one count of assault, four counts of assault and battery, and two counts of disturbing the peace.
Police said Aldan admitted to driving the car to Suicide Cliff, where he slammed the head of his wife against the vehicle’s roof, hit her head with a cap, and that he accidentally hit the head of their 2-month old baby with his hand.
Aldan also allegedly admitted driving his car to 40 to 50 miles per hour on their way to Suicide Cliff, strangling his wife’s neck. He also admitted pulling his wife’s hair and hit her with pillows before.
The victim suffered a contusion on the forehead, while the 2-month old baby had minor contusion on the head. They were treated at the Tinian Health Center.
At Aldan’s initial court appearance yesterday, Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho granted chief public defender Douglas Hartig’s request to release defendant on a $5,000 unsecured bond with some conditions because he was held in custody for more than 24 hours.
Camacho said the law requires that an arrested person be brought to court within 24 hours when the court is open for business.
The judge said for violation of such law, the court may release defendant upon such terms as the court may deem just and in accordance with the law.
Arraignment will be on Sept. 9 at 9am at the Tinian Courthouse.
Assistant attorney general Chester Hinds appeared for the government.
Tinian Department of Public Safety Police Officer Barbara K. Arend stated in her report that last Aug. 17 at 6:40pm, the victim called DPS emergency line for assistance because her husband beat her up.
The victim told responding police officers that Aldan came home drunk and they got into an argument.
To avoid violence, she left the house, leaving their two children because of heavy rain. Aldan followed in a car with the children. He cut in front of his wife, blocking her way and told her to get in.
When the wife got into the car, Aldan sped off and drove recklessly, jerking the car from side to side.
While shouting they all are going to die, Aldan did not slow down when they entered the Suicide Cliff parking lot. He drove up the curb and only hit the brakes when they were about to slam into the wall that protects people from falling down the cliff.
The wife said she was so scared, thinking they could not make it and go over the cliff. As she was taking their children out of the car, Aldan abruptly backed up the car, causing their 3-year-old son to fall close to the car’s wheel.
The wife screamed thinking that their son was hit by the car. Aldan approached and strangled her neck, hit her head with an object. Aldan, however, accidentally hit the head of their 2-month-old baby.
As they were aboard the car, Aldan sped off the vehicle all the way home.
The wife said Aldan would hurt her before whenever he was drunk and in a bad mood, but the last incident was the worst ever.

Man speeds off car with wife, 2 children aboard toward Tinian’s Suicide Cliff


A poll conducted by Marianas Agupa (radio program) here has some very interesting results. The question posted was: whom would you vote for this November?
Some 72 percent said they’d be voting for Independent candidates, six percent aren’t voting and two percent for republicans.
It’s a plus for independent candidates though not all and woefully bad tidings for Republicans the latter boasting abysmal record and failure. I surmise most would be defeated this November. Yep! Must change fossilized representation stuck in its own interest at our expense.
Recent introduction of a measure to fill their pockets isn’t helping Republicans any. Is there anything else new under a highly suspect leadership that completely ignores the livelihood of our people?
It’s indicative of the wide support for independent trade horses over the tired and exhausted republicans. Coupled with irreparable disunity I’d be a worried sick if I were a Republican or independent incumbent.
Magoo said that it’s a delayed reaction where party heads from the fractious GOP failed to see the powerful tsunami of mass destruction headed to shore. It’s all tired biba turned biliba! Imagine trying to rearrange the chairs on the deck when the boat is at the bottom of the Marianas Trench. Did I hear realignment of sort somewhere?
Sad bird songs at dawn
Bird chirps are the sounds of joy at dawn. It signals the beginning of a new day in paradise. This morning though it sounded melancholic or sad and particularly mournful too. I retreated to the silent corners of my mind to figure out the shift in mood of my feathered friends.
Up ahead, I saw an immaculate white dove flying beneath the overcast skies of paradise. It’s a symbol of leaders who usually fly alone. It was also a symbol of hope. At least, there’s something to latch on amidst the deepening economic mess and its accompanying sense of hopelessness at home.
We seemed to have been conned into believing the economy is on the rebound. I call it economic bigotry where family income remains the same all these years. And you’re preaching otherwise when familial hardship stands center stage in households everywhere?
Have we subscribed to wishful thinking, herd mentality, wildebeest syndrome, or bias reinforcement for failing to critically probe the beast? Do we prolong the illusion of everything’s honky dory? But aren’t agencies considering borrowing on their own, e.g., Judiciary, NMC, and others? Assertion of economic growth is asymmetrical or doesn’t follow!
Leadership is the missing metric in the deepening mess substituted by a full-blown agenda of political expediency focused on re-election. Do you have a successful economic plan that has factually lifted all boats? Would your eventual harvest be a bounty or a nightmarish scarcity? It’s all in what legacy you’ve planted in your garden, right? There’s none in the field.
Even a retreat and reassessment aren’t going to do any good at all. The parade has left!
Paradise in ruins
With the evacuation of more than 3,000 of our people to Guam, Hawaii, and the U.S. mainland some six years ago, I couldn’t fathom the idea how each family had to endure moving elsewhere in search of greener pasture. This was prompted by the lack of opportunities at home.
This is the ugly trophy of Republicans (Achilles Heel) and refuses to see it displayed and scrutinized to their detriment! The damage is horrendous and if it’s only worried of its image, has it ever considered the hellish hole it has created for our very own people?
Shallow politicians and loyal friends must dig down deep into their conscience to see if their failure in the dislocation and evacuation of our people is morally right. Is it right to force families to withdraw lifetime savings in order to look for opportunities elsewhere away from paradise?
I’ve met some of these folks in San Diego and Texas though respectful at Republican candidates’ stiff face looking for votes. It was a futile effort for the GOP troops what with a legacy of a hellish hole here. Bad!
Expanding private industry:
An interesting issue that came up during conversations with folks in the U.S. mainland is the scarcity of meaningful private jobs between Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. Most jobs are in municipal governments and the NMI making it the largest employment industry.
Thus, the total reliance on political jobs where one literally sells heart, mind and soul to the company store completely stripped of personal dignity. The employment venue could easily become the seat of corruption that simply ignores the essence of education in favor of servile loyalty from A-Z. I smell a rat, filthy in all its form and substance.
Scarce opportunities
How sad it is to see our educated young minds heading elsewhere in search of meaningful employment. Opportunities for meaningful career here—beyond government—is non-existent. Leaving home is the only exit door to opportunities beyond the islands.
Besides good paying jobs, there are also opportunities for professional development known as “continuing education.” Eventually, they’d find good neighborhoods to settle down, e.g., purchase of homes in communities that are equipped with good schools, hospitals, etc. Sad.
Truth moves mountains
With republican legislators preparing legislation to change casino law so they and family members could be hired at Best Sunshine, I wonder if the amendment shouldn’t include those of us who are not politically powerful to fight for ourselves?
Moreover, what prompted the planned amendment for self-aggrandizement? Have you been guaranteed employment with BSI? Or is this a way to legitimize salaries today for siblings, spouses or relatives now on the payroll?
I may be alone in my quest to convey the truth in the interest of the innocent and ordinary people. But I equally know that none of the legislators on the hill are saviors of the people. And the truth definitely moves mountains!


Former KMCV News reporter/anchor turned Hawaii State Senator Glenn Wakai has encouraged five entities in Micronesia, including the CNMI, to come together and put out a bid from airlines all government travel between their islands to significantly reduce airfare price, which he described at present as astonishing.
“Complaining for decades has gotten nowhere and made the airlines rich at the expense of residents,” said Wakai in an interview.
Instead of just accepting the status quo, Wakai said, it’s about time for Micronesian leaders to “play offense.”
The senator came to Saipan two weeks ago with former Honolulu mayor Mufi Hannemann, who is the founder of the Pacific Century Fellows Program and established the PCF CNMI Chapter three years ago. In addition to talking to PCF fellows, Wakai also spoke to the Saipan Chamber of Commerce board of directors about casino growth.
Last year, the Hawaii State senator offered this idea to invite air competition to Palau President Tommy Remengasau by having the chief executives of Palau, CNMI, Guam, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of the Marshall Islands sign a memorandum of agreement stating that all government travels between their islands should be put out to bid.
“If you guarantee revenues for an established carrier they would come,” he said.
Wakai said the Request for Proposal could require that all bids have to come in 50 percent below the current regular fares.
Wakai cited an example that his recent eight-hour flight from Honolulu to Saipan cost $1,700.
He said he was on an eight-hour flight on United Airlines from Honolulu to Chicago two weeks before going to Saipan and the cost of airfare was $800.
The senator said United Airlines uses older planes and veteran staff to traverse Micronesia, so customers are not paying for better service.
“It’s disturbing for the consumers. It’s a pot of gold for United,” Wakai said.
Under his proposal, Wakai said, his trip to Saipan two weeks ago should be $850 instead of $1,700.
He said Micronesia chief executives should make it a five-year contract with the chosen airline so it’s worth a new airline’s investment in the region.
The minimum wages for the five entities in Micronesia are $6.05 for the CNMI; $8.25 for Guam; $3.50 for Palau; $2 for RMI; and $1.25 for FSM.
At these wages, Wakai said he believes that 85 percent of off-island travel is funded by the governments or grants.
Wakai noted that there have been attempts to start small airlines to service the region, but they all failed because of the need for an established carrier to compete with Continental/United.
“If any of the chief executives balk at this idea, ask them to share a better plan,” he said.
Wakai described United’s pricing for flights throughout Micronesia as “astonishing.”
“They are making significant profits on the backs of people who are economically challenged,” the senator pointed out.
Wakai is currently the chairman of Hawaii State Senate’s Committee on Economic Development and Technology and vice chairman of the Committee on Health. He is a member of the Committees on Agriculture, Commerce and Consumer Protection, and Higher Education and the Arts.
Wakai is founder of Reach Out Pacific, a Hawaii-based non-profit organization.
In June 2012, the Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council presented Wakai with a commemorative resolution for shipping, through Reach Out Program, over $350,000 worth of medical and school supplies to the CNMI for nearly a decade.

Micronesia chief executives urged to invite air competition, bid all government travels


Agnes McPhetres, CEO of Northern Marianas Trades Institute, said the ultimate goal of the school is to become a community college to decrease the amount of imported manpower that specializes in various hotel, restaurant, and hospitality operations in the CNMI.
In an exclusive interview with Saipan Tribune yesterday after speaking at the weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Saipan where she’s a member, McPhetres said NMTI becoming a community college has already been discussed by the school and the government, with the latter already designating a site.
“We have been working with the government and they have designated a site for the NMTI in the future, in the southern part of the island close to Saipan Southern High School,” said McPhetres. Additional funding, however, is still necessary. “We would still need funding to do a physical master plan in the area.”
The NMTI also plans to provide topnotch training in hotel and restaurant operations. “What we would also like for the NTMI is to have world-class combination of culinary and hotel hospitality in our school because that is our major industry here so that we don’t have to import people,” said McPhetres. “We would be able to produce U.S. citizens to be part of the economic development in that area.”
McPhetres claims that one of the goals of the NMTI is to be a good training center to play a larger role in the economic advancement of not just the CNMI but of the Western-Pacific as a whole. “Our goal is to really be a good training center in the area of technical vocational programs, not just for the CNMI but for the whole Western-Pacific, so that we can help stimulate the economy of the island as well as that of the region,” said McPhetres.
NMTI plans to add more courses, but the lack of funding is keeping them back. “We have electronic drafting, we have renewable energy, but there are some areas that we would like to explore into, and also get more in-depth in the area of construction trades such as fine carpentry, so students could be making cabinets, etc and become businessmen themselves,” said McPhetres. “In all the specialized areas of construction trades we don’t want to turn out with workers, we want specialists.”
McPhetres also adds that with extra funding, the NMTI will be more efficient. “If you have good instructors, the product would also be good,” concluded McPheters.

‘NMTI’s goal is to become a community college’


Department of Finance Secretary Larrisa Larson disclosed that when she transferred government funds to Luta Mermaid LLC she did so pursuant to a direct order of the then-governor, the late Eloy S. Inos.
Luta Mermaid LLC owns M/V Luta, a 150-foot long 500-ton cargo ship. Larson allegedly caused $400,000 to be transferred from the CNMI General Fund Account to Luta Mermaid LLC’s bank account on March 27, 2015 or two days later after a memorandum from the Rota Legislative Delegation was sent to Larson. The memorandum stated that Resolution 19-3 was adopted by the Rota Legislative Delegation on March 20, 2015.
Larson, through deputy attorney general Lillian A. Tenorio, said any unlawful results of her actions complained of in the lawsuit of former Department of Public Lands secretary John DelRosario are the product of reasonable mistake.
Tenorio discussed the release of funds to Luta Mermaid LLC in Larson’s answer and defenses to DelRosario’s lawsuit. Tenorio said Larson is not a lawyer and cannot be expected to navigate through sometimes conflicting and complex laws as if she had extensive legal training.
Tenorio said Larson had authorized payment of public funds through resolution before pursuant to CNMI Public Laws 11-79 and 12-64, and believed that the monies transferred to Luta Mermaid LLC were for a public purpose.
DelRosario filed last May a taxpayer’s lawsuit against Lt. Gov. Victor B. Hocog and Larson over the alleged adoption of a Rota Legislative Delegation resolution without public notice that purportedly authorized payment of $400,000 to Luta Mermaid LLC, a private company owned by Hocog’s relatives.
DelRosario, through counsel Jennifer Dockter, is suing Hocog and Larson for breach of fiduciary duties, and expenditure of public funds for an improper purpose. In addition, Hocog is sued for violation of the Open Government Act.
Rota Legislative Delegation Resolution 19-03 was approved “to authorize the Department of Finance to pay for fuel, lubrication, and other costs necessary for the maiden voyage of the vessel from Louisiana to its new home port in Rota, and to provide for the personnel and operational costs of the Office of the Mayor of Rota.”
DelRosario requested the Superior Court to issue a judgment declaring, among other things, that Rota Legislative Delegation Resolution 19-3 void ab initio (from the beginning), and all acts taken in furtherance of such resolution null and void.
In Larson’s defenses to the lawsuit, Tenorio said at no time did Larson knowingly and deliberately violate her fiduciary duties and breach the public trust.
“The monies transferred to Luta Mermaid LLC were for a public purpose,” Tenorio pointed out.
She cited that it is well documented that the island of Rota has suffered severe supply shortages in the past due to the inability of cargo ships to dock at Rota when the weather was bad.
The deputy AG said the purpose of transferring the subject funds was to pay for bringing the ship, Luta Mermaid, to the CNMI so the ship could transport necessary provisions and supplies to Rota even during inclement weather.
Tenorio said the boat will also provide shipping for agricultural products and other goods produced on Rota to Guam and other islands and thereby give the Rota economy a badly needed boost.

Larson: Inos directly ordered transfer of funds to Luta Mermaid LLC


We now have a full slate of political candidates for this November election. Some are returning legislators, other are former legislators who want to try their lucks again, and still others are newbies. Never been touched. For the current legislators, I ask what have you accomplished that makes you want to continue as a legislator? “Crackerjack legislation?” What is that? Crackerjack legislation is a bill or resolution which does not do anything to the economy of the CNMI.
For example, a bill or resolution instructing the CNMI, government or business, to pay its employees on time. Another example is the resolution, which appropriates money for the ship Luta, and extended to others. The obvious error here is that a resolution is simply a document expressing a legislative concern, not appropriating money. Standard legislative procedure. Never mind the Roberts Rule of Order. To appropriate money, a legislator introduces a bill, a special kind of bill—it is called an appropriations bill, not a resolution. You want to honor Elvis Presley, do it via resolution. Of all the legislative procedure seminars that I sat in, the difference between a bill and a resolution are defined quite specifically. The last seminar I sat in was that held for the in-coming Congress of Micronesia members. Dr. Meller of the University of Hawaii, was the head of the seminar. Some members of the Mariana Islands District Legislature were also trained in legislative procedures at East-West Center back in the 1970s. Perhaps, the CNMI Legislature could negotiate or invite the University of Hawaii East-West Center for a special seminar in legislative procedures. I’m sure the university would be very happy to do that. The trainers have been here before. So, after all this suggestions, I ask again, what did you accomplish during your previous tenure as legislator?
And you’re running again. What do you have in mind to introduce? Put aside the Best Sunshine money for a moment, and think. What else could you do? Other investors—this time no tax incentive. Our government needs money, and that from Best Sunshine is simply not enough for all the things our government wants to do. Our government has goals and objectives. Split the two into three parts short-term objectives, mid-term objectives, and long-term objectives. Plug those objectives with your plans and ideas and hopes. What, then, is your individual plan? Your plan? Your idea for the party’s platform? How would you help Tinian and Rota? Their struggling infrastructure, specifically water pipes, the sewer pipes, and electricity-the high tension wires, the telephone poles, the up-transformers and the dropdown transformers, and their roads, and salary for the employees-CNMI and municipal? Would you help their delegations? Where would you get the money for all these, and more? Tinian and Rota are famous for farm produce. If the farmers need your help, would you help them? Where would you market their produce? What, then, would be your plan and platform contribution? What about a review of our Covenant and constitution? We have had three Con Cons, two of them successful presentation. If you could, which part of our Covenant would to amend? How would you do that? Would you improve the constitution? The special election, I mean? What about the land lease money, would you change the lease rate for the better for the next lease period, instead of the status quo?
Ask yourself as a favor, what would you do after the lease on Farallon de Medinilla (FDM) and Anatahan and Puerto Rico and North Field and West Field expired? FDM and Anatahan are pockmarked all over with American bombs. What about the USMC’s plan to use Pagan to practice beach-storming, to be followed by live fire?
DPL is now looking at partitioning Pagan for residential and or agricultural homesteading. That places you in a quandary, between a rock and a hard place. What would you do? And the CW? It seems as if the CW issue is settling down for a while. How do you feel? think some of the CWs want to settle here. Good for the business but questionable on the capability of our infrastructure. What about availability for regular work? And, if you let them stay here and become island citizens or someday become U.S. citizens or IR of their American citizen children, then they would have to pay FICA and income tax, CUC user fee, CCHC fee, etc. You see, all these things I hear at gatherings, cookouts, Minachum Atdao, Kilili Beach, fast food restaurants, etc. But I don’t hear from you. Would you come out on television and radio and talk about your plan and contribution to your party’s platform? I would be on the other end of the wave and screen. I vote in Precinct 3.
Rudy M. Sablan
Garapan


Here are today's top-flight soccer stories from Bank Holiday Monday's newspapers
Manchester United look set to miss out on Monaco defender FABINHO, who is expected to stay in the south of France, reports the Daily Express.
JAMES RODRIGUEZ will cost Chelsea £60million, according to the Daily Mirror, who write that the Premier League club have had a bid rejected by Real Madrid.
The Mirror is also reporting that Everton midfielder JAMES MCCARTHY is close to leaving the club with Crystal Palace a potential destination.
Palace are also closing in on Chelsea striker Loic Remy, according to Sky Sports.
Another player that could leave Stamford Bridge is Kurt Zouma, with the Daily Mail reporting that German side Schalke are chasing the 21-year-old.

Your soccer transfer speculation: August 29


A new bar and grill eatery called Adams Bay is set to open in Gainsborough following a five-figure investment from the owners of Papa’s.
Papa’s in Bridge Road will be closing for refurbishment between September 5, and 18.
The takeaway service, which is situated at the side of the restaurant, will remain open during the refurbishment.
Adam’s Bay founder, Andrew Papadamou, said: “This is a very exciting time for our family as we want to give a fresh new look and food offering to Gainsborough. We are delighted to have chosen Gainsborough as the home for the first ever Adam’s Bay, which will become the brands flagship restaurant.
“We looked at a variety of locations across the UK for the first Adam’s Bay to be launched but after much discussion we realised that our hearts were firmly in Gainsborough and with the Lincolnshire and Yorkshire people
“In the end it became quite an easy choice to simply close our current restaurant location, refurbish and relaunch the site for the first ever Adam’s Bay. Our plan is to open more across the UK and it’s amazing that this journey is starting in a region we are proud to call home.”
“Our customers and staff have been fantastic at Papa’s and we have enjoyed serving residents of Gainsborough.”

New venture for owner of Papa’s fish bar in Gainsborough


A new bar and grill eatery called Adams Bay is set to open in Gainsborough following a five-figure investment from the owners of Papa’s.


Here are the stories making today’s headlines...
Jack Wilshere demanded loan move during crisis talks with manager Arsene Wenger CLICK HERE (The Sun)
Joe Hart close to sealing loan move to Torino CLICK HERE (Daily Star)
Manchester United transfer news: Fabinho says he is likely to stay at Monaco to play Champions League CLICK HERE (The Sun)
Gunners set to move for £11m Paraguay attacker Miguel Almiron after completing deals for Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez CLICK HERE (The Sun)
Chelsea close to £25m deal for Inter’s Marcelo Brozovic as Antonio Conte looks to add aggression in midfield CLICK HERE (Daily Mail)
Sam Allardyce insists ‘door will always be open’ for Ross Barkley to return despite dropping Everton star from first England squad CLICK HERE (Daily Mail)

Transfer rumours: Jack wants out of Arsenal, Hart on Torino and the man who said ‘no’ to Man Utd


Here are the stories making today’s headlines...


Gainsborough Town Council was delighted to formally open the newly refurbished Richmond Park play area.
The opening was conducted by Mayor of Gainsborough, Councillor Kenneth Woolley, and formed part of the annual Lark in the Park celebrations hosted by the Friends of Richmond Park.
The newly refurbished play area has been made possible due to a £100,000 grant from FCC Communities.
Leader of Gainsborough Town Council, Councillor Matthew Boles, said: “I am absolutely delighted by the improvements that have been delivered at Richmond Park.
“The reaction from the public has been amazing
“The park has been absolutely packed out every day since it has reopened and everybody has been enjoying the facilities.
“The site is now also covered by monitored CCTV which will hopefully aid keeping the park free for vandalism and anti social behaviour.”

The newly refurbished Richmond Park has been officially opened


Gainsborough Town Council was delighted to formally open the newly refurbished Richmond Park play area.


The stage is set for the ultimate showdown to decide the Notts Premier League (NPL) title after heavy rain returned with a vengeance to wash out Saturday’s schedule.
As all six matches were abandoned at about the halfway stage, the top two sides, Cuckney and Plumtree, each collected nine points. So it’s everything to play for when they collide head-on in the penultimate round of fixtures this coming weekend.
Cuckney, who are seeking to seal their third NPL title in five season, have home advantage and also hold an 11-point advantage over their rivals. Both sides are at home in their final matches the following Saturday when they entertain relegation-threatened rivals -- Cuckney against Hucknall and Plumtree against Welbeck.
When the weather intervened on Saturday, Cuckney were in control of their match at Radcliffe-on-Trent, having reduced the home side to 173-7 from 44 overs after putting them into bat. Australian Trent Lawford inflicted most of the damage, taking 5-26 to defy determined batting from James Marshall (74) and Rob Sutton (35).
Plumtree’s match at home to Notts CCC Academy was in the balance for they had managed a total of only 205-8 in their allotted 50 overs. Hassan Azad hit 63 and skipper Ben Storey 31, but the main honours went to Academy bowler Connor Marshall, who took 6-51.
Third-placed West Indian Cavaliers went into their fixture at home to Caythorpe still harbouring hopes that they could have a say in the title race. But the rain left them 27 points behind the leaders and needing a miracle in the last two set of games. They did all they could, though, as Corey Collymore bagged 5-30 to help them skittle the visitors for 152, of which more than half was scored by one player, Martin Dobson (80). Cavs were 19-1 in reply when the abandonment came.
At the foot of the table, the frantic scramble to avoid the drop looks likely to go the wire, with just ten points separating the bottom four, Ordsall Bridon, Hucknall, Welbeck and Clifton Village.
Frustrated Welbeck looked all set to ease their fears when bowling out Bridon for just 106, with Jonathan Ball taking 3-17 and Tom Lungley 3-33. But after replying with 22-1, the heavens opened and they had to be satisfied with just ten points.
It was a similar story for Clifton, who dismissed Mansfield Hosiery Mills for 128 thanks chiefly to Muhammed Usman (4-26) and Martin Weightman (3-29), but could barely begin their reply.
However, Hucknall were up against it when the weather halted their game at Kimberley, who amassed a total of 306-9 in the hands of Dominic Brown (123 off 107 balls) and Neil Edwards (56), despite 5-60 from Will Spray.

NOTTS PREMIER LEAGUE ROUND-UP: top two Cuckney and Plumtree set for showdown to decide title


The stage is set for the ultimate showdown to decide the Notts Premier League (NPL) title after heavy rain returned with a vengeance to wash out Saturday’s schedule.


Club captain Glenn Loovens made his long-awaited Owls comeback as Wednesday's development squad cruised to a 2-0 success over Birmingham City today.
The Dutchman, fit-again following ankle surgery, got over an hour under his belt at Hillsborough. It was Loovens first outing since the Championship Play-Off final last May.
It proved to be a winning return for Loovens, with Claude Dielna and Warren Clarke registering either side of the interval to seal Wednesday's second successive home win.
For our Owls news and opinion on twitter follow here
The hosts made most of the early running and it took a smart stop by Connal Trueman to foil trialist Reise Allassani after a clever reverse pass by Sergiu Bus.
Moments later, Warren Clarke turned sharply before unleashing a fierce shot which was brilliantly headed away from near the goalline by Josh Cogley as Wednesday continued to ask questions of Birmingham's backline.
Neil Thompson's side deservedly broke the deadlock in the 15th minute, Dielna curling an unstoppable 25-yard free kick past Trueman after Cogley had upended the lively Jack Stobbs.
Owls trialist Reise Allansani
Bus, who has been told he is free to leave Wednesday, could have doubled their lead after a defensive mistake by Cogley but Tureman stood up tall to deny him.
Aside from two ambitious long range shots by Noe Baba and Beryly Lubala, Birmingham created little as an attacking force.
Just before the interval, Sean Clare released Stobbs, who cut inside on to his weaker left foot and saw his low strike well saved by Trueman.
For more news from Hillsborough click here
The Blues came close to levelling things up on the stroke of half-time when Wes McDonald flashed a shot from distance wide.
Promising youngster Clarke stretched the Owls' lead in the 56th minute, rifling a left effort into the top corner after great build-up play involving Bus and Clare.
Bus led the line intelligently throughout and he freed Jon Centeno and the winger jinked inside only to be denied by the agility of Trueman.
Clarke's strike briefly jolted Birmingham into life and Cameron Dawson, who recently enjoyed a loan spell at Wycombe Wanderers, produced an acrobatic stop to turn away George O'Neill's rasping shot.
Blues substitute O'Neill added an extra dimension to their front line and he was desperately unlucky not to reduce their arrears in the 74th minute, rattling the woodwork with a stunning free-kick.
To compound their woes, Daniel Cleary saw red in the closing stages after allegedly kicking out at Bus off the ball.
But Wednesday comfortably held on to claim their second victory in three matches.
Wednesday: Dawson; Percival, Loovens (O’Grady 63), Dielna (Lee 83), Penney; Stobbs, Murphy, Clarke; Bus, Allansani (Centeno 35). Substitutes: Wallis, Rodney.
Follow Dom Howson on twitter

Owls development squad: Sheffield Wednesday 2 Birmingham City 0


Club captain Glenn Loovens made his long-awaited Owls comeback as Wednesday


Where has it all gone wrong for Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club in the red-ball form of the game in 2016?
That is the question on most supporters’ lips as the county requires a miracle to avoid relegation to Division Two of the Specsavers County Championship – in the same season as they reached the T20 Blast finals day and continued to strengthen the success of the Notts Outlaws one-day brand.
Even victory in their final three County Championships Division One fixtures, including at Durham this week, will not guarantee their survival and avoid a second ever relegation.
You could say that it is unthinkable for a Test venue to be probably hosting Second Division cricket next summer, but it happened a decade ago and Notts bounced back.
There were no thoughts of relegation in May when Notts topped the table. Yet they will start at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday (31st August) 35 points adrift and with just one win all season from their 13 four-day matches – that victory coming as long ago as the opening game of the season against Surrey at Trent Bridge.
It has been a sudden fall from grace for Chris Read’s men, who won the County Championship just six years ago. But the side, coached by Mick Newell since 2002, have perhaps fallen guilty of not heeding the warnings of one year ago.
The 2015 season saw Nottinghamshire struggle in the opening months in Division One, before a terrific second half of the season took them up to third place.
The recovery was built on a strong batting line-up with Riki Wessels, Brendan Taylor and Alex Hales all scoring more than 1,000 runs. Not to mention the contribution with the bat of England’s James Taylor.
So it is perhaps ironic that both Read and Newell have both admitted as this season has worn on that a lack of runs has cost them dear this time around.
Yes, Nottinghamshire have been unlucky. First they lost James Taylor to the much-publicised heart condition that ended his playing career at the start of the season.
The success of opener Hales becoming a regular England regular has also been his county’s loss when runs have, so often, been at a premium. In fact, Hales has played just twice and tops the county’s batting averages.
More bad luck has come with injuries. Captain Read missed several matches after breaking his hand in May – and his runs have been badly missed.
Stuart Broad’s injuries and England duties have also severely limited his four-day cricket for Nottinghamshire – but that has been the case for several years.
However, his runs lower down the order would undoubtedly have helped as defeats became a regular occurrence in the championship.
Occasionally the experienced Broad and Read have chipped in with vital runs down the order, but the likes of Michael Lumb, Wessels, Brendon Taylor and Samit Patel (one incredible hundred apart) havn’t delivered often enough this summer – particularly in the second innings of matches.
Steven Mullaney leads the way (apart from Hales) with an average of 38, has struck two centuries and scored 856 runs, so should be exempt from criticism of the batting overall.
But the fact he is 43rd in the rankings of the division’s best batsmen shows how disappointing Notts’ run-gathering has been.
In contrast, England’s young seamer, local product Jake Ball, is 19th in the bowling averages.
Notts’ bad luck with the loss of James Taylor was compounded in the bowling department when injury prevented Australian international Peter Siddle from returning to Trent Bridge to be their overseas player before the season started.
But most observers do not place the blame for the almost-certain relegation on the bowling attack – or any perceived distractions by success in the one-day game.
The championship season started relatively well with that three-wicket victory over Surrey. But perhaps the alarm bells were ringing even then, in the second innings.
Notts, batting first, totalled more than 400 with Mullaney hitting a century and Notts enforcing the follow-on. Australian Jackson Bird, who replaced Siddle, and Ball underlined the strength of the seam attack to set-up a 169-run target, but the second innings wobble that saw Notts fall from 72 without loss to win by just three wickets was a sign of the batting frailty to come.
A week later an eight-wicket defeat to Lancashire was notable for the paucity of runs as only captain Read made passed 50.
A draw against old rivals Yorkshire in front of the Sky TV cameras saw Read hit the 25th century of his career and Mullaney, Broad and Patel strike half-centuries.
Notts came within one wicket of victory on a thrilling final evening and topped the table. But it needed 200 runs from the last four wickets in Notts’ second innings to keep them in the game as the top order again failed.
Hales, Lumb and Patel all made 50s in a rain-hit draw with Middlesex, before the fragility of the batting-order reared its head in spectacular fashion during a 53-run home defeat to Warwickshire.
Chasing a modest 227 to win, Notts collapsed with nine batsmen – including Lumb who struck a first innings ton – failing to make double figures.
The heroics of Patel, who smashed a 68-ball century while wickets tumbled around him, prompted coach Newell to admit: “When one bloke gets 75 percent of the runs you have to be a bit disappointed. Some of our players will have to reflect that they have not really had the best of games. You can manage with only eight or nine playing well, but not when it is only six or seven.”
Those thoughts were to be repeated by supporters for most of the rest of the summer as batsmen threw their wickets away cheaply.
Just three batsmen passed 50 in a defeat at Hampshire, where Read suffered that crucial injury, before a week later former Zimbabwe captain Taylor twice hit a century in a run-fest draw, marred by rain, with Durham.
When four-day cricket resumed a month later Notts were well beaten by 228 runs at The Kia Oval with only Taylor passing 50 against Surrey. Runs were again at a premium in a draw with Warwickshire, before Notts dominated a draw with Lancashire.
At that point Newell drew a parallel with last season’s fightback in the second half of the season – but this time it never came.
While the T20 side reeled off victory after victory, the four-day side continued to find runs hard to come by. A 10-wicket loss to Somerset saw Mullaney and Jake Libby put on almost 200 for the first wicket at the start of the match. Somehow no other batsmen then got past 44.
Mullaney hit his second century of the season in a losing cause as Notts were humbled by 176 runs by Hampshire at Trent Bridge two weeks ago.
Then last week, in a must-win clash with Yorkshire, Notts somehow again turned a strong position into a defeat.
Having reduced Yorkshire to 51 for six, Notts then crumbled to 94 all out in reply to Yorkshire’s first innings 282. A second innings capitulation for 146 runs has surely spelled the end for Notts’ survival hopes.
They lost 20 wickets in less than 100 overs at Scarborough in front of a noisy crowd full of holidaymakers. This season has been anything but a holiday for those who follow Nottinghamshire cricket.

OPINION: Where has it all gone wrong for Nottinghamshire in red-ball cricket?


Where has it all gone wrong for Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club in the red-ball form of the game in 2016?


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Country star Nathan Carter sings in Chesterfield


Country sensation Nathan Carter, the voice behind hit song Wagon Wheel, is heading for Chesterfield.


A major overhaul of the swimming facilities at Center Parcs is being planned, and includes a new ‘iconic’ ride and a children’s pool with water playground.
The application has gone in to Newark and Sherwood District Council which could also see the existing raft ride at the holiday village being upgraded and the changing rooms extended.
The existing swimming pool plaza already provides outdoor and indoor pools, spa pools, jacuzzis, rapids and a raft ride and flumes.
There is currently a small children’s pool with a flume and slide.
The plans show a new ride tower to be built next to the swimming dome, and will include a staircase up to the platform launch, a splash pool at the end of the ride and a mechanical conveyor to take rafts back up to the launch platform.
A similar construction has already been completed at another Center Parcs site, and one is under construction at a third site.
A spokesman said: “The proposed extensions and redevelopment to the ‘sub-tropical swimming paradise’ are intended as an upgrade to the existing Center Parcs holiday village at Sherwood, to bring the swimming pool leisure facilities to the same standard as Woburn Forest Center Parcs in Bedfordshire.
“The proposals are part of an enhancement programme of investment into all Center Parcs holiday villages.”
Center Parcs, which has five sites across Britain, says guest research has been carried out, visits have been made to some of the world’s leading water parks and have appointed specialist designers.
Meanwhile, the proposed children’s pool extension includes a toddler’s pool and slide as well as a new children’s water play structure.
The existing changing rooms will be refurbished with a new internal layout.
This includes new areas of changing space, toilets and storage area.
Alongside the existing ride tower, a new ride tower will be constructed that will provide a new iconic ride, including a staircase up to a launch platform, a splash pool to receive guests at the end of the ride, a mechanical raft conveyor to take rafts back to the launch platform and associated plantrooms, tanks and storage areas to support the function of the ride.

‘Iconic’ new ride is planned for Center Parcs


A major overhaul of the swimming facilities at Center Parcs is being planned, and includes a new ‘iconic’ ride and a children’s pool with water playground.


Older people enjoying the last of the summer wine have been advised to drink plenty of water and avoid strenuous activities to avoid falling ill on hot days.
Nottinghamshire County Council’s Meals at Home service is issuing advice on how to keep older people feeling healthy in the last few days of summer.
Deliver drivers are handing out the tips when giving their meals to customers to prevent dehydration, which is dangerous for older people and can lead to falls, urinary infections, low blood pressure and pressure sores.
Tips include -
• have regular drinks throughout the day and at meal times
• have a glass of water when taking medication
• eat food with a high water content such as ice lollies, salads and summer fruits
• avoid strenuous activities in the heat, particularly at the hottest times of the day
• close window and blinds or curtains during the day
• wear loose fitting clothing.
Councillor Muriel Weisz, chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council’s adult social care and health committee, said: “Our Meals at Home service is more than a meals delivery service.
“The team works hard to ensure that its older customers are safe and well, which includes raising the alarm if a customer does not answer the door.
“During hot weather we also make sure older customers are made aware of how to stay alert and well as dehydration can lead to serious health problems.”
Around 1,700 residents currently use the Nottinghamshire Meals at Home service.
It offers a wide range of meals to choose from, which can either be delivered to customers’ doorsteps hot or frozen.
The meals on offer are tasty and nutritious, varied and made from scratch locally using fresh ingredients and seasonal vegetables.
Nottinghamshire residents who are interested in the county council’s Meals at Home service should contact County Enterprise Foods on 01623 490015.
Alternatively, people can visit the organisation’s website www.countyenterprisefoods.co.uk for further information.


Older people enjoying the last of the summer wine have been advised to drink plenty of water and avoid strenuous activities to avoid falling ill on hot days.


Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire has received a grant for more than £400,000 to help towards their project - “Lincolnshire in World War One: Bastion in the Air”.
The project, which will begin in early 2017 and run through to 2020, aims to highlight the importance and significant contribution the county made to the defence of the country and the development of aviation in World War One.
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has awarded a grant to Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire, which is part of Lincolnshire County Council and working in partnership with West Lindsey District Council, of £423,500 which will be used to offer the public the opportunity of seeing a depiction of a World War One airfield, including flying replica fighter aircraft from the period, within a hangar on an operational RAF station in 2018.
In addition there will be an exhibition held at the Collection in Lincoln detailing the technical and social advances that such an important hub in military arms production brought to the county.
Councillor Roger Patterson from West Lindsey District Council said: “West Lindsey District Council is very pleased to support this fantastic heritage project.
“The fact that the Heritage Lottery Fund also supports this is a testament to the value of passing on the heritage of aviation in Lincolnshire to local, national and international visitors.
“Aviation is one of the main sectors for our visitor economy and I am sure this project will bring lots of visitors telling them the story of aviation in Lincolnshire.”
There will be travelling exhibitions at community centres and village halls at locations throughout Lincolnshire, detailing specific themes to local areas and what their particular contribution was and where community volunteers will be recruited and given training on supporting this project.


Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire has received a grant for more than £400,000 to help towards their project - “Lincolnshire in World War One: Bastion in the Air”.