Comments on: Welcome to the Commonwealth Dialogues!

By: john

john — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 23:30:05 +0000

If the salaries of the Governor, Lt Governor, the legislators and the Judges are all protected by the CNMI constitution then may I suggest that you introduce a legislative initiative that would ammend it and that the wording in the constitution would not mention any salary to these positions. It seems that a majority of the legislators and even our judges and justices would not cut their salaries by ten percent when all other government employees (the Indians) would suffer the cut. If the Governor and the legislator wants the ten percent cut across the board then by God lets cut it across the board!

By: CuriousJoe

CuriousJoe — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 03:57:33 +0000

I’m just curious to know why the Legislature is spending more time on assessing its needs (i.e. parking lot, need of a generator, who the next L.B. Director should be? and, where the SOCA should be held?) and less time addressing the imminent problems of the CNMI.

By: Wolf Mojica

Wolf Mojica — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 06:56:14 +0000

I have been listening with interest about all the things the legislature wants to do to raise revenue like increase taxes, reduce rebates, etc etc etc. How about approaching this from a different angle, as we in the private sector (and I in my home do). If revenues are down, REDUCE expenses.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 08:46:35 +0000

702-588-1589

By: Anonymous Nesian

Anonymous Nesian — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 07:00:47 +0000

There is a definite issue about labor and immigration federal take-over. Being that is, we have to research profoundly for facts to support our approval or opposition on this matter. We need to look into past case studies if there are any or recommend any future case studies before reaching any conclusion. The bantering about the locals and the foreign workers has to stop. We must assess what is the optimal way of dealing and resolving this matter.
The local sentiments have to be carefully addressed afterall, it is their native land. The native islanders are just trying to protect their culture, identity, and tradition since most of it was lost back during the Spanish Colonization Era. Look at Guam and Hawaii, the people want to revert back to the way their island was before. We have to look for good examples like the neighboring islands such as Republic of Palau.
I recently took a trip to Hawaii, and I saw the western side of the island very odd from the capital and other parts of Oahu. The beaches were inundated with tents inhabited by native people. The condition looked impoverished and sad. Do the CNMI people want to be in this kind of situation? I can understand clearly why they are fighting adamantly for their land.
I think that when there is a federal take-over the whole island concept, mentality, culture, tradition, language, heritage, and behavior will change for the worst. Everyone will have to implement the “American attitude” – individualistic way when islanders are just fine with their smiley attitude. Do the CNMI people want to see the island world this way?

Anonymous Nesian

By: Daisy

Daisy — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 22:32:25 +0000

Tina,
Congrats and thank you for not only taking a stand with your convictions but also by getting involved and setting a good example for our young people of CNMI. Happy Thanksgiving to you and to all of you there in CNMI. Don’t Give Up! …..Best always, Daisy

By: W. Cruz

W. Cruz — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 15:54:47 +0000

CONGRATULATIONS!!! AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING

By: Silence Dogood

Silence Dogood — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 18:36:05 +0000

Congratulations Tina!

By: Barbara

Barbara — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 01:45:07 +0000

Congratulations. Go Tina, Go Girl! Call for help if you need any. Good Luck on the next two years.

By: Plato

Plato — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 01:04:25 +0000

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

By: saipanmiddleroad

saipanmiddleroad — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 07:47:17 +0000

Congratulations Tina! Whatever happens for us you have always been a winner….

By: Kilili

Kilili — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 09:50:34 +0000

The Commonwealth Election Commission can send by email a copy of the Saipan Casino Act to anyone interested in reading up on the act as certified by the Office of the Attorney General.

Please send your request by email to: gkilili@pticom.com

ps. The Commission is presently housed at the multipurpose center and we are operating on dial-up, analog internet access. So, all requests will be entertained either early in the morning or early evenings when I can forward the initiative by dsl.

pss. We also have the two (15-1 and 15-16, SD1) initiatives for anyone who requests. We are working on the Rota Casino Act of 2007.

By: John

John — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 08:24:58 +0000

john jr..

i think we need to move this discussion to the appropriate forum area.. article xii.. next comment will be in that section..

By: John

John — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 08:21:07 +0000

don’t you think that these lawyers knew about changing of times, etc??

that is why we can address the issue in 2011..

By: john jr

john jr — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 07:28:30 +0000

how about a comprimise and just amend article 12 and exten the term? why kill it totally?

i still do not agree with your explanation about the changing of time. don’t forget that these investors retained the legal services of the likes of kosack, carlsmith, dotts, etc…don’t you think that these lawyers knew about changing of times, etc??

again, just wondering.

By: John

John — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 07:15:33 +0000

not necessarily defects.. some times things are suitable during the period of time they are implemented.. Article XII was probably suitable for the time given the situation, existing conditions and concerns.. however, times change and so do the conditions… I believe a lot more people are now more educated about land valuation than in the past.. additionally, there are more resources available to assist with land valuation/appraisal, contracts, etc….

By: john jr

john jr — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 07:04:34 +0000

john,

many thanks for the very informative information. i am, however, still wondering how these investors with their topnots local lawyers failed to see the defects (as you claim) of article 12 back then. are you perhaps implying that the investors were given bad legal advice?

just wondering

By: John

John — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 06:33:01 +0000

john jr.,

that is a good question.. The bubble economy in Japan gave Japan the financing ability to conduct vast overseas growth and development.. given the financial position of many of the companies, leasing land was a viable option at the time given the strength of the Japan economy (and individual Japan corporations). Especially, given the fact that a return on an investment could be seen in a couple of years due to the strength of the Japan economy..

After the bubble burst things drastically took a turn in the other direction… hence, the reason for many foreclosures, asset liquidation, debt consolidation, bankruptcy…

Things prospered on Saipan, Hawaii, and Guam during the bubble period, however, all three locations have seen their fair share of Japan Corporations divesting from each location since the downturn…

There are many, many articles online regarding the Japan Bubble Economy and the shifts that have taken place, the below is an extract from http://www.asiainfo.org which sums up a bit of what happened in Japan:

—————-
BUBBLE ECONOMY

Following the 1985 Plaza Accord, the yen rose sharply in value over the next few years to three times its value in 1971, in the fixed exchange rate system. With the increase in the price of Japanese exports, competitiveness was decreased overseas, while government financial measures increased demand domestically.

Corporate investment rose sharply in 1988 and 1989. New equity issues rose in value as a result of higher stock prices, thus making them an important source of financing for corporations. In the meantime, banks sought for funds in the outlet of real estate development. In turn, corporations used their real estate holding as collateral for stock market speculation. A direct result of this was the doubling of land value prices and a 180% rise in the Tokyo Nikkei stock market index.

In May 1989, the government tightened it’s monetary policies to suppress the rise in value of assets, such as land. However, higher interest rates sent stock prices on a steady spiral down. The Tokyo stock market had fallen 38% by the end of 1990, thus effectively wiping out 2.07 trillion dollars in value. Steeply dropping land prices burdened financial institutions with bad debts and some of them even went bankrupt. Others attempted to improve internal finances and managed to stay afloat by limiting the supply of capital to private businesses by being cautious in granting loans.

———————————

the Japanese Investors don’t have the financing like they used to and are more careful when investing… the only leases you are likely to see in the future will be from Public Land because of the land cost that the government gives to the Private company, which at many times is well, well below market rates…

By: john jr

john jr — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 05:08:24 +0000

john,

so can you please explain what happened back then when the japanese pumped millions in investments into the cnmi?. i think article 12 was in place back then?

what if we eliminate article 12 and nothing happens? what would be your reason?

just wondering.

By: John

John — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 04:00:46 +0000

John Jr.,

I have met with many from both the U.S. Mainland/Korea/Japan and other locations who would definitely like to invest in the Marianas (in the form of shopping malls/retirement homes/etc..), however, there is no way they would do it without being able to own the property they are building upon… and in no way can I blame them, because I sure wouldn’t do so if I were in their shoes also..

with the change in article XII, taxes derived from land transactions would be an immediate help to the CNMI coffers… immediate…