Posted on 12-11-2009
Certified Election Results and Runoff Election on November 23
Filed Under (Public Notice) by admin
Attached in this email are the certified results for the November 7, 2009 election, and a copy of the gubernatorial runoff election initiative which was ratified by the people of the CNMI in 2007.  
 
The CNMI's first-ever runoff election is scheduled to take place on Monday, November 23, 2009, between Heinz Hofshchneider/Arnold Palacios and Benigno Fitial/Eloy Inos.  Polls will be open from 7am to 7pm.       
 
My congratulations to all the candidates who participated in this year's election, to all the candidates who prevailed, and to all the voters who exercised their civic duty on November 7. 
 
My thanks as well to the Commonwealth Election Commission, the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of the Public Auditor, members of the press, and the numerous volunteers who worked from the wee hours of the morning and throughout the night to administer the November 7 election, and to the Saipan City Taxi Association for offering free transportation to and from the polls.    
Please remember to vote on November 23!   
 
Thanks very much,
 
Tina Sablan
"The citizen can bring our political and governmental institutions back to life, make them responsive and accountable, and keep them honest. No one else can." — John Gardner

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Posted on 12-11-2009
Commonwealth Election Commission — Meeting on Friday, Nov 13, 2009 @ 1pm
Filed Under (Public Notice) by admin
Good afternoon,
 
This is to announce that the Commonwealth Election Commission will be meeting tomorrow, Friday, November 13 @ 1pm in the Multipurpose Center in Susupe.  The Commission is expected to conduct a recount of the votes cast for the Northern Islands Mayor election, and also to discuss the results of the votes cast on the four initiatives on the ballot this year, and whether or not the initiatives were ratified. 
 
The meeting will be open to the public, and public comments will be accepted.
 
Thanks very much,
 
Tina Sablan

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Posted on 05-11-2009
“THURSDAYS WITH TINA” 6PM TONIGHT @ TANAPAG BEACH!
Filed Under (Public Notice) by admin

Dear friends,
 
You are all invited for the fifth in a series of weekly community gatherings held throughout Saipan, where I will present my platform for the Saipan Senate race, answer questions, and listen to your concerns.  Tonight's gathering will be at Tanapag Beach starting at 6pm.  (Turn left on Tanapag Avenue off the main road and head towards the beach.)  
 
Tonight will be the final Thursday gathering before Election Day on Saturday, November 7.  For more information about my record in the House and priorities for the Senate, please see the brochure attached in this email. 
 
I am also available for questions, comments, or concerns by email at tinasablan@gmail.com , phone at 285-3935, on the web at www.tinasablan.com and on Facebook, and in person.    
 
Please feel free to share this message with others, and remember to vote on November 7!
 
Thanks very much,
 
Christina-Marie (Tina) Elise Sablan
Independent Candidate for Senate, Saipan
#5 on the Ballot

Posted via email from Tina Sablan

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Posted on 03-11-2009
Apply the Open Government Act to the Legislature! (and other initiatives on the ballot this year)
Filed Under (Public Notice) by admin
Dear friends,
 
Thanks to the collective efforts of thousands of concerned and caring citizens, the popular initiative to reapply the Open Government Act to the legislature will finally be on the ballot this year.  The initiative requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes cast in order to be made law.
 
From the legislative declaration of the Open Government Act (1 CMC § 9901):  "The people of the Commonwealth do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them.  The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know.  The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created."
 
From the popular initiative petition: "It is the intent of this Initiative Petition that the Commonwealth Legislature, including all Commonwealth legislators and the Legislative Bureau, shall be subject to Public Law 8-41, the Open Government Act, 1 CMC §§ 9901, et seq." 

The Open Government Act used to apply to the legislature when it was first enacted during the 8th legislature, but the 9th legislature quickly amended the law to exempt the legislature – and the legislature has remained exempt ever since.  

Applying the Open Government Act to the legislature will mean simple but critical changes in the way the legislature conducts its business.  The legislature would be required to issue public notice with agendas for its sessions and meetings, for example, and agendas could not change as quickly and as dramatically as they often do today.  In addition, citizens would have the right to request public records of their legislators, and to expect those records to be provided within 10 days of the request.    
 
I urge all citizens who desire a more open and transparent legislature to vote yes on the Open Government Act initiative this year.  
 
For more information on the popular initiative to apply the Open Government Act to the Legislature, a one-page flyer is attached in this email.
      
***
 
In addition to deciding on the popular initiative to apply the Open Government Act to the legislature this year, voters will have to decide on three legislative initiatives: 
 
1) House Legislative Initiative 15-3 proposes to amend the composition of the Board of Education by amending Article XV of the Constitution.  The changes include requiring that the nonvoting student representative to the Board of Education be a high school student; requiring that the public school teacher representative be elected by public school teachers in a process established by law; and limiting the terms of elected Board of Education members to not more than two terms.   
 
2) House Legislative Initiative 16-11 proposes to amend Article III, Section 9(a) of the Constitution to mandate the passage of a balanced budget every year, and to prohibit the withdrawals of any funds from the General Fund without an appropriation of funds made by law.  The initiative would remove the ability of the government to go on continuing resolution in the absence of a budget, and instead would require the shutdown of government offices except for the provision of services essential to the health, safety, and welfare of the people of the CNMI.  The governor's salary would be suspended if he fails to submit to the legislature a proposed balanced budget by April 1, and would continue to be suspended until a proposed balanced budget is submitted; legislators' salaries would be suspended if they fail to pass a balanced budget by October 1, and would continue to be suspended until a balanced budget is passed. 
 
3) Senate Legislative Initiative 16-11  proposes to amend Article VIII, Section 1 of the Constitution to require that general elections shall be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in even-numbered years, and would thereby synchronize CNMI elections with the federal election for the U.S. delegate.  During the transition to even-year elections, however, public officials who are elected this year would be given an extra year in their terms (i.e., the new governor, mayor, and senators would serve a five year term, sitting senators who are not up for reelection this year would also serve an extra year, and new members of the House would serve a three-year term).  The 16th legislature had contemplated another initiative that would have accomplished the same goal of even-year elections but would have shortened most terms instead by one year during the transition.  That proposal passed in the House, but failed to pass in the Senate.
 
The full texts for these three legislative initiatives are attached in this email.
 
***
 
For more information about the election this week, contact the Commonwealth Election Commission at 664-VOTE, drop by the Multipurpose Center in Susupe where CEC staff are currently stationed, or visit www.votecnmi.gov.mp .
 
***
 
Please pass this information on, and remember to vote on Saturday, November 7! 

    

Sincerely,
 
Tina Sablan

Download now or preview on posterous

SLI 16-11 ENGROSS.pdf (565 KB)

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Posted on 30-10-2009
MPLT Special Board Meeting — today, Friday, Oct. 30 @ 10am
Filed Under (Public Notice) by admin
My apologies for the short notice — this is to inform you that the Marians Public Lands Trust Board of Trustees has called a special meeting today, Friday, October 30, 2009 @ 10am in the MPLT Conference Room, Suite #107 at the Morgan Building in San Jose. 
 
The MPLT Board is expected to discuss the $1million loan  that has reportedly been approved for the Tinian Mayor's office to pay retroactive salary increases to municipal employees, and cover other obligations to the Tinian Dynasty and the Tinian Scholarship Program. I plan to attend.
 
Below is a letter sent yesterday to MPLT Board Chair Mr. Philip Mendiola-Long, expressing my concerns about the loan and requesting certain documents.
 
For questions or contacts, please contact me at tinasablan@gmail.com or at 285-3935. 
 
Thank you,
 
Tina Sablan
 
———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Tina Sablan <tinasablan@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 9:10 AM
Subject: Questions regarding MPLT loan to Mayor of Tinian
To: Phillip Mendiola-Long <phil@shermanconsultinginc.com>, bigcasino@netscape.com
Cc: Senator Jude Hofschneider <sen.hofschneiderj@cnmileg.gov.mp>, "Mendiola, Joseph" <senatormendiola@yahoo.com>, Senator Joseph Mendiola <sen.mendiolaj@cnmileg.gov.mp>, sen.sannicolash@cnmileg.gov.mp, "Rep. Ray Yumul" <rayyumul@saipan.com>, Arnold Palacios <aipalacios@yahoo.com>, "Sen. Pete P. Reyes" <spider@pticom.com>, Cgr Heinz Hofschneider <rep.hsh@gmail.com>, Mike Pai <mpai@opacnmi.com>, "Rep. Edwin Aldan" <rep.aldane@cnmileg.gov.mp>, Joey Patrick San Nicolas <sannicolaslaw@gmail.com>, Antonette Villagomez <villagomeza@gmail.com>, Robert Torres <rttlaw@pticom.com>, "Governor Fitial." <benfitial@aol.com>, "CABINET-Inos, Eloy" <eloyinos@aol.com>, frica pangelinan <fricajp@gmail.com>, "Rep. Edward Salas" <etsalas@gmail.com>, billcing@yahoo.com, Ed Buckingham <agocnmi@gmail.com>, Deputy Attorney General <deputyagocnmi@gmail.com>, Ross Zapanta <rzapanta@opacnmi.com>, rep.dlguerreroj@cnmileg.gov.mp, Joseph Camacho <jjncamacho@gmail.com>

Dear Mr. Mendiola-Long,
 
I am writing to request information on the $1M loan that was very quickly and recently approved by the Marianas Public Lands Trust to the Tinian Mayor's Office, reportedly to pay out retroactive salary increases to Tinian municipal employees and to cover other obligations by the Tinian municipal government to the Tinian Dynasty and Tinian Scholarship Program.
 
Please provide my office with the following:
 
1)  A copy of the loan application submitted by the Tinian Mayor's Office and approved by MPLT, including the terms of repayment if any;
 
2)  A copy of any minutes, notes, tape recordings, or other records documenting the MPLT meeting at which this loan was approved;
 
3)  A copy of any financial records from the Tinian municipal government, including any audit reports or detailed records of financial expenditures, that were reviewed by the MPLT prior to approving this loan; and
 
4)  A copy of any minutes, notes, tape recordings, or other records documenting any public hearing that the MPLT may have conducted prior to approving this loan.
 
I am deeply concerned about whether or not MPLT has honored its fiduciary responsibilities in reviewing and approving the Tinian Mayor's request for a loan.  I am also extremely concerned that this loan may violate Article X of the CNMI Constitution, and specifically the prohibition in Section 3 on incurring public debt without 2/3 of the affirmative vote of the members in each house of the legislature, and the prohibition in Section 4 on borrowing for government operations. 
 
Please advise as to why the actions of MPLT and the Tinian Mayor's Office should not trigger taxpayer lawsuits against the government, including lawsuits against the MPLT Board members for breaches of fiduciary duty.
 
Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
 
Sincerely,
 
Tina Sablan   

Posted via email from Tina Sablan

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Posted on 30-10-2009
MPLT Special Board Meeting — today, Friday, Oct. 30 @ 10am
Filed Under (Public Notice) by admin
My apologies for the short notice — this is to inform you that the Marians Public Lands Trust Board of Trustees has called a special meeting today, Friday, October 30, 2009 @ 10am in the MPLT Conference Room, Suite #107 at the Morgan Building in San Jose. 
 
The MPLT Board is expected to discuss the $1million loan  that has reportedly been approved for the Tinian Mayor's office to pay retroactive salary increases to municipal employees, and cover other obligations to the Tinian Dynasty and the Tinian Scholarship Program. I plan to attend.
 
Below is a letter sent yesterday to MPLT Board Chair Mr. Philip Mendiola-Long, expressing my concerns about the loan and requesting certain documents.
 
For questions or contacts, please contact me at tinasablan@gmail.com or at 285-3935. 
 
Thank you,
 
Tina Sablan
 
———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Tina Sablan <tinasablan@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 9:10 AM
Subject: Questions regarding MPLT loan to Mayor of Tinian
To: Phillip Mendiola-Long <phil@shermanconsultinginc.com>, bigcasino@netscape.com
Cc: Senator Jude Hofschneider <sen.hofschneiderj@cnmileg.gov.mp>, "Mendiola, Joseph" <senatormendiola@yahoo.com>, Senator Joseph Mendiola <sen.mendiolaj@cnmileg.gov.mp>, sen.sannicolash@cnmileg.gov.mp, "Rep. Ray Yumul" <rayyumul@saipan.com>, Arnold Palacios <aipalacios@yahoo.com>, "Sen. Pete P. Reyes" <spider@pticom.com>, Cgr Heinz Hofschneider <rep.hsh@gmail.com>, Mike Pai <mpai@opacnmi.com>, "Rep. Edwin Aldan" <rep.aldane@cnmileg.gov.mp>, Joey Patrick San Nicolas <sannicolaslaw@gmail.com>, Antonette Villagomez <villagomeza@gmail.com>, Robert Torres <rttlaw@pticom.com>, "Governor Fitial." <benfitial@aol.com>, "CABINET-Inos, Eloy" <eloyinos@aol.com>, frica pangelinan <fricajp@gmail.com>, "Rep. Edward Salas" <etsalas@gmail.com>, billcing@yahoo.com, Ed Buckingham <agocnmi@gmail.com>, Deputy Attorney General <deputyagocnmi@gmail.com>, Ross Zapanta <rzapanta@opacnmi.com>, rep.dlguerreroj@cnmileg.gov.mp, Joseph Camacho <jjncamacho@gmail.com>

Dear Mr. Mendiola-Long,
 
I am writing to request information on the $1M loan that was very quickly and recently approved by the Marianas Public Lands Trust to the Tinian Mayor's Office, reportedly to pay out retroactive salary increases to Tinian municipal employees and to cover other obligations by the Tinian municipal government to the Tinian Dynasty and Tinian Scholarship Program.
 
Please provide my office with the following:
 
1)  A copy of the loan application submitted by the Tinian Mayor's Office and approved by MPLT, including the terms of repayment if any;
 
2)  A copy of any minutes, notes, tape recordings, or other records documenting the MPLT meeting at which this loan was approved;
 
3)  A copy of any financial records from the Tinian municipal government, including any audit reports or detailed records of financial expenditures, that were reviewed by the MPLT prior to approving this loan; and
 
4)  A copy of any minutes, notes, tape recordings, or other records documenting any public hearing that the MPLT may have conducted prior to approving this loan.
 
I am deeply concerned about whether or not MPLT has honored its fiduciary responsibilities in reviewing and approving the Tinian Mayor's request for a loan.  I am also extremely concerned that this loan may violate Article X of the CNMI Constitution, and specifically the prohibition in Section 3 on incurring public debt without 2/3 of the affirmative vote of the members in each house of the legislature, and the prohibition in Section 4 on borrowing for government operations. 
 
Please advise as to why the actions of MPLT and the Tinian Mayor's Office should not trigger taxpayer lawsuits against the government, including lawsuits against the MPLT Board members for breaches of fiduciary duty.
 
Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
 
Sincerely,
 
Tina Sablan   

Posted via email from Tina Sablan

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Posted on 29-10-2009
“THURSDAYS WITH TINA” 6PM TONIGHT @ PAKPAK BEACH, SAN ANTONIO!
Filed Under (Public Notice) by admin
Dear friends,
 
You are all invited for the fourth in a series of weekly community gatherings held throughout Saipan, where I will present my platform for the Saipan Senate race, answer questions, and listen to your concerns.  Tonight's gathering will be at Pakpak Beach in San Antonio (south of the Pacific Islands Club), starting at 6pm.   
 
The fifth and final gathering before election day will be held on Nov. 5 at Tanapag Beach.
 
I am also available for questions, comments, or concerns by email at tinasablan@gmail.com , phone at 285-3935, on the web at www.tinasablan.com and on Facebook, and in person.  
 
Please feel free to share this message with others.  I hope to see you tonight, and at the next gathering!
 
Thanks very much,
 
Christina-Marie (Tina) Elise Sablan
Independent Candidate for Senate, Saipan
#5 on the Ballot

Posted via email from Tina Sablan

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Posted on 28-10-2009
Legislative Briefing with USCIS & Town Hall Meeting on Transitional Worker Program
Filed Under (Public Notice) by admin
This is to announce the following public meetings regarding the proposed USCIS CNMI-Only Transitional Worker Program:
 
1)  Legislative Briefing with Mr. David Gulick and staff – today, Wednesday, October 28 @ 2:30pm in the House Chamber. 
 
2)  Town Hall Meeting with USCIS – Friday, October 30, from 5pm-7pm @ the Outdoor Amphitheatre, American Memorial Park.  Technical experts will be available to anwer questions.  The presentation will be in English, and informational materials in English, Tagalog, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese will also be distributed. 
For more information, visit www.uscis.gov (search "CNMI").
 
Thanks very much and have a good day,
 
Tina Sablan

Posted via email from Tina Sablan

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Posted on 27-10-2009
USCIS Town Hall Meeting – Transitional Worker Program for CNMI
Filed Under (Public Notice) by admin

****USCIS FLYER****

Learn about the new Transitional

Worker Program for CNMI from the

agency implementing it!

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency that will carry out the transitional worker program, is holding a town hall meeting that is FREE to the public.

Friday, October 30, 2009

5:00pm to 7:00pm

Outdoor amphitheater

American Memorial Park, Garapan, Saipan

This is a great opportunity to …

  • Hear about the new program directly from the source (the presentation will be given in English)
  • Ask questions of technical experts
  • Get information materials in English, Tagalog, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese

We look forward to seeing you this Friday!

www.uscis.gov (search for CNMI)

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Posted on 27-10-2009
Transitional Worker Public Notice and Materials
Filed Under (Public Notice) by admin
Attached in this email are the Federal Register notice, the press release, and Q & A for the CNMI-only transitional worker program.  Translations are being prepared in other languages as well and should be available for viewing tomorrow. 
 
For more information, visit www.uscis.gov (search "CNMI").   

Thanks very much and have a good evening,

Tina Sablan

Download now or preview on posterous

CNMI TWP- QA FINAL.doc (143 KB)

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Posted on 27-10-2009
CNMI Transitional Workers Regs
Filed Under (Public Notice) by admin

Attached in this email are the federal regulations for the CNMI-only transitional guest worker program, issued as an interim rule.   
 
Comments may be submitted directly to USCIS by email at rfs.regs@dhs.gov .  Include DHS Docket No. USCIS-2008-0038 in the subject line of the message.  
 
Thank you and have a good day,
 
Tina Sablan
 

Posted via email from Tina Sablan

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Posted on 23-10-2009
My Closing Remarks – SCC Senate Candidate Forum 10/21/09
Filed Under (Public Notice) by admin

Christina Sablan — Senate Forum Closing Remarks

October 21, 2009

Fiesta Resort

video online at:

I think that sometimes in the midst of rapid change and confusion, it is easy for us to slide into discouragement and frustration.

The CNMI without a doubt has experienced much change and confusion these past 30 years and to this very day.

I’m sure I don’t need to go through the litany of challenges we face — we read about it in the papers, we’ve heard much of it today, and we experience it in our daily lives.

Given all that we have been through as a community, and that we continue to go through today, one thing that can be said about us is that we are an incredibly resilient people, and we demonstrate that resilience every day.

But it’s not enough to simply be resilient.  It’s not enough to simply wait for the storm to pass.  And it’s certainly not enough to just count the days until the next administration and the next legislature and hope that things will get better on their own.

Each of us is called to imagine the future we wish to create.  Each of us is called to take part in the planning for that future.  And each of us is called to action.

Change, real change is a process.  We have to be committed to it for the long haul, and we have to begin with ourselves as citizens and residents, being the change we wish to see in our community.

So now the question is, what is the change we wish to see in our community?

Most of us probably want outstanding schools for our children, excellent healthcare services, affordable and reliable utilities, clean villages and a beautiful environment, a thriving tourism industry, flourishing small businesses, open and honest government, and public officials who respect the rule of law, spend our money wisely, and take pride in public service.  I really could go on, and I’m sure that all of you could add to that list as well.

Basically, fundamentally, we have a shared vision, we all want the same things, and getting there begins with good governance.  It begins with caring, informed, and active citizens; honest, open, and responsible government; a vigilant press; and creative and law-abiding businesses driving the economy forward.  Good governance requires the effort and commitment of the whole community.

As a citizen and member of the House of Representatives, I have been committed, and as your senator I will continue to be committed, to our collective vision for good governance in the Commonwealth.

I’d like to thank the Chamber of Commerce for hosting us tonight, the students of the Northern Marianas College for their assistance, and all of you for taking the time to be here and to listen to our responses to your questions.

I continue to be available for any questions and concerns after tonight.  My phone number is 285-3935, my email address is tinasablan@gmail.com , and my website is www.tinasablan.com .  I can also be found every Thursday evening at community gatherings throughout Saipan until November 5.  Tomorrow we will be at Garapan Central Park, followed by Pakpak Beach on October 29, and Tanapag Beach on November 5.  I invite all of you to join us.

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Posted on 23-10-2009
Umbrella Permit Meetings — Oct. 23 & Oct. 24
Filed Under (Public Notice) by admin
This is to inform you that the Department of Labor has offered a public briefing on the umbrella permit program today, Friday, October 23 @ 3:30pm.  The Labor office can accommodate approximately 20 people.  
 
Also, on Saturday, Oct. 24 @ 9:30am — 11:30am at the Visitors Center at American Memorial Park, there will be a public forum on the umbrella permit program.  The forum is being organized by guest worker groups led by the United Workers Movement and PILCOWA.
 
Thanks very much and have a good weekend,
 
 
Tina Sablan  

Posted via email from Tina Sablan

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Posted on 22-10-2009
“THURSDAYS WITH TINA” 6PM TONIGHT @ GARAPAN CENTRAL PARK!
Filed Under (Public Notice) by admin

You are all invited for the third in a series of weekly community gatherings held throughout Saipan, where I will present my platform for the Saipan Senate race, answer questions, and listen to your concerns.  Tonight's gathering will be at Garapan Central Park, starting at 6pm.   
 
The next gathering will be held on Oct. 29 at Pakpak Beach (San Antonio) and Nov. 5 at Tanapag Beach.
 
I am also available for questions, comments, or concerns by email at tinasablan@gmail.com , phone at 285-3935, on the web at www.tinasablan.com and on Facebook, and in person.  
 
Please feel free to share this message with others.  I hope to see you tonight, and at future gatherings!
 
Thanks very much,
 
Christina-Marie (Tina) Elise Sablan
Independent Candidate for Senate, Saipan
#5 on the Ballot

PO Box 500994
Saipan, MP 96950
Cel: (670) 285-3935
Email: tinasablan@gmail.com

For more information, visit www.tinasablan.com  

Please feel free to share this information.  To be removed from this list, please email tinasablan@gmail.com .

"The citizen can bring our political and governmental institutions back to life, make them responsive and accountable, and keep them honest. No one else can." – John Gardner

Posted via email from Tina Sablan

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Posted on 21-10-2009
Announcements — NCSL Meeting, Senatorial Forum, CBP Meeting, & Gubernatorial Forum
Filed Under (Public Notice) by admin
This is to announce the following meetings this week:
 
1)  Meeting with National Conference of State Legislatures Program Principal Arturo Perez – today, Wednesday, Oct. 21 @ 10am in the Senate Chamber.  Mr. Perez is the new NCSL staff liaison to the CNMI.  The purpose of this visit is to build stronger relations between the NCSL and members and staff, to provide useful information about the many and various services available from NCSL and establish strong and effective relationships between the NCSL and the CNMI Legislature.   
 
2)  Senatorial Forum – tonight, Wednesday, Oct. 21 starting at 6:30pm at the Fiesta Resort.  Sponsored by the Saipan Chamber of Commerce.  Call 233-7150 for more information.  Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.  All eight candidates, myself included, are expected to participate. 
 
3)  Meeting with Asst. Commissioner Thomas Winkowski – of the Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security, Thursday, October 22 @ 10:45 am in the House Chamber .  Mr. Winkowski has requested a courtesy visit with the CNMI Legislature.
 
4)  Gubernatorial Forum – Friday, Oct. 23 @ the Kagman Community Center starting at 7pm.  Sponsored by the Kagman Komunidat Association.  All four candidates are expected to participate.  Email Jesse Torres at kagmankomunidatassociation@gmail.com for more information. 
 
 

Tina Sablan
House of Representatives
16th CNMI Legislature
PO Box 500586
Saipan, MP 96950
Tel: (670) 664-8931
Cel: (670) 285-3935
Email: tinasablan@gmail.com or
rep.sablanc@cnmileg.gov.mp

Visit the Commonwealth Dialogues at www.tinasablan.com/forum

"The citizen can bring our political and governmental institutions back to life, make them responsive and accountable, and keep them honest. No one else can." – John Gardner

Posted via email from Tina Sablan

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Posted on 20-10-2009
Updates on Public Lands: Marpi, Flame Sako, NGP, & MRDC
Filed Under (Public Notice) by admin
Attached in this email are several updates regarding our public lands, including:
  • Comments from the Department of Public Lands (DPL) to the House Committee on Natural Resources on House Bill 16-267, the proposal to create a new Marpi Protected Area; and
  • A letter from the Secretary of Public Lands to House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rep. Ray Tebuteb on the status of major commercial public land lease agreements with Flame Sako Resort, Neo Gold Wings Paradise, and MRDC.
On Marpi
House Bill 16-267, attached in this email, seeks to create a new protected area in Marpi consisting of approximately 936,100 square meters of public lands, including areas that are currently designated by DPL for homestead development.  The Marpi area was the subject of public outcry and a legislative inquiry earlier in the year, when DPL commenced the clearing of approximately 620,000 square meters of native and secondary forest for unexploded ordnance removal in preparation for the homestead development — without a public hearing, without a major siting permit from the Coastal Resources Management Office, and apparently without penalty from any the regulatory agencies.  The same area again became the subject of controversy more recently when DPL inadvertently cleared approximately 10,000 square meters of protected endangered species habitat; the agency subsequently agreed to restore the cleared area, and to protect an additional 175,000 square meters of adjacent public lands in perpetuity as part of the remediation plan.
House Bill 16-267, introduced by myself, Natural Resources Chair Rep. Ray Tebuteb, and Rep. Ed Salas, finds that the area presently designated for homestead development in Marpi is inappropriate for such use for the following reasons: 1) the lack of infrastructure; 2) unusable groundwater resources; 3) thin soil which is incompatible with septic system installation; 4) proximity to highly significant historic and cultural sites, including Suicide Cliff, the National Historic Landmark of Marpi Point, and numerous war memorials; and 5) proximity to protected areas, including endangered species habitat.  The bill proposes to protect the area, incorporate it into the Commonwealth Mitigation Bank created by Public Law 10-47, and require a management plan prepared by a professional biologist that shall include forest restoration, wildlife monitoring, invasive species removal, a fire plan, and public education; the plan shall further be presented for public review and comment by the Department of Lands and Natural Resources for at least 30 days prior to adoption and implementation.
Department of Public Lands Secretary John del Rosario opposes the bill, accusing the Legislature of attempting to “usurp” the agency’s constitutional authority to manage public lands, and further arguing that the current area of protected lands in Marpi is “more than adequately sufficient.”  In addition, Secretary del Rosario asserts that the Department “competently and unquestionably understands its fiduciary responsibility as prudent managers of public lands such that it will duly and diligently ensure that all remaining public lands are optimized and designated for whatever compelling public purposes arise in the short term and long term.”
The bill was introduced in mid-August and is still under review in the Natural Resources Committee.  I have asked the committee chair and co-sponsor of the bill, Rep. Tebuteb, to convene public hearings and solicit comments from the community about best uses for that land, and I continue to hope that public hearings will indeed begin soon.  I recognize that while many, myself included, may favor conservation of the area, others may favor mixed uses to include recreational parks and trails, agriculture, and ecotourism, and still others may indeed prefer homestead development or even limited commercial development.  For me the important component that has thus far been missing in public land use management is the participation of the community in determining the best uses for our public lands — and particularly in the case of Marpi, which is one of the most beautiful, most environmentally sensitive, and most historically significant places on Saipan.  I am hopeful that Secretary del Rosario will see the bigger picture and would be willing to come to the table in public hearings and other discussions on Marpi as he and the agency he represents obviously play a critical role in land use management and can have a tremendous and positive influence in the public involvement process.
On Commercial Leases — Flame Sako, NGP, and MRDC
The Department of Public Lands has again granted extensions to Flame Sako and Neo Goldwings Paradise to demonstrate proof of financing for their proposed developments north of Paupau Beach (109,000 square meters) and on Tinian (3,000,000 square meters), respectively.  According to Secretary del Rosario, the two companies have been given until December 31, 2009, with the “firm message that when nothing pans out by way of demonstrating fund deposits at local banks here for the projects” the lease shall automatically be revoked.  According to the Secretary, Flame Sako has indicated that an initial deposit of $2million is expected to be made in a local bank by Oct. 22, and construction is expected to begin in December.
The Secretary did not provide supporting documents to show DPL’s grant of the extension or notification of default.  In email correspondence with the Secretary I had requested such records months ago with the first extension for Flame Sako and received no response; I am hopeful that the Natural Resources Committee to seek these records with this second extension, assuming the records even exist.  It is unclear to me what legal authority DPL has even to grant such extensions, particularly when the lease agreements themselves stipulate that leases shall automatically terminate upon failure to provide proof of financing by the specified deadlines.  For Flame Sako, the deadline was April 30, 2009; for NGP, the deadline was Sept. 21, 2009.
Similarly, the commercial lease agreement with Marianas Resort Development, Co. (1,365,000 square meters of public land on Tinian), which was approved by the 15th legislature in May 2007, has come under scrutiny as the proposed casino resort development has also experienced considerable delay.  According to the Secretary, the “requisite studies have been submited and approved by the regulatory agencies,” but the Department is awaiting an update from the Chief Executive Officer of MRDC as to the status of construction, which has yet to begin.  No information has been provided yet about the status of MRDC’s financing plan, which had been required within six months (by November 2007) from the commencement of the lease agreement, with an ”absolute deadline” of August 1, 2009 for phase 2 of the project (golf course construction), to which both DPL and MRDC had agreed according to the joint committee report.
Like Flame Sako and NGP, MRDC did not provide proof of financing for the proposed development at the time that the lease agreement was approved, and questions had been raised about the company’s business plan.  The inclusion of the automatic termination clause in the lease agreement, according to the joint committee reviewing the MRDC proposal, was to “ensure that the subject public land would not sit idle for 25 years should MRDC fail to secure adequate financing for its projects.”
In addition, no information has yet been provided by the Secretary on the status of rental payments required by Flame Sako, NGP, and MRDC under their respective lease agreements.
I continue to be extremely concerned about the CNMI’s practice of approving major commercial leases of public lands to companies that are unable to show proof of financing for their proposed developments.  It had been for that reason, among others, that I had voted against the lease agreements with both Flame Sako and NGP.  The generous terms of the lease agreements, and the considerable leniency that DPL has shown towards companies that have failed to comply with even these generous terms, should raise questions for all of us about the due diligence and fiduciary responsibility being exercised by DPL and the Legislature in approving these leases in the first place — and then in DPL’s enforcement of the leases once approved.  It is time that the CNMI take a much broader look, as well, at the practice in general of leasing public lands for commercial purposes, and moreover, at the continuing lack of an updated public land use plan for the CNMI.  A comprehensive land use plan with respect to public lands, including priority of uses, is required under the constitution, and by law.
For more information about the CNMI’s commercial public land leases with Flame Sako, NGP, and MRDC, see the attached documents.
Thanks very much,
Tina Sablan
House of Representatives
16th CNMI Legislature
PO Box 500586
Saipan, MP 96950
Tel: (670) 664-8931
Cel: (670) 285-3935
Email: tinasablan@gmail.com or
rep.sablanc@cnmileg.gov.mpVisit the Commonwealth Dialogues at www.tinasablan.com/forum

“The citizen can bring our political and governmental institutions back to life, make them responsive and accountable, and keep them honest. No one else can.” — John Gardner

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Posted on 19-10-2009
“THURSDAYS WITH TINA” 6PM OCTOBER 22 AT GARAPAN CENTRAL PARK!
Filed Under (Public Notice) by admin

You are all invited for the third in a series of weekly community gatherings held throughout Saipan, where I will present my platform for the Saipan Senate race, answer questions, and listen to your concerns.  This Thursday (Oct. 22) gathering will be at Garapan Central Park, next to Sugar King Park on Middle Road (the roundhouse by Gold’s Gym),  starting at 6pm and ending at 8pm.

The next gathering will be held on Oct. 29 at Pakpak Beach Pavilion in San Antonio and then on Nov. 5 at Tanapag Beach.

I am also available for questions, comments, or concerns by email attinasablan@gmail.com, phone at 285-3935, on the web at www.tinasablan.comand on Facebook, and in person.

Please feel free to share this message with others.  I hope to see you at this event and at future gatherings!

Thanks very much,

Christina-Marie (Tina) Elise Sablan

Independent Candidate for Senate, Saipan

#5 on the Ballot

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Posted on 19-10-2009
Election ‘09 Events — This Week and Next Week
Filed Under (Public Notice) by admin
Here is a list of some of the Election ‘09 events taking place this week and next week:
1)  Gubernatorial Debate between Heinz Hofschneider and Benigno Fitial, sponsored by CREAM —  The debate will be held at Fiesta Resort,  Oct. 20, and doors will close promptly at 6:30pm.  For more information, contact Gus Loste at augustusloste@gmail.com. No political posters or pins, or Tshirts with slogans.  The event is free and first come, first served — but monetary donations will be accepted for RP typhoon victims.
2)  Senatorial Forum, sponsored by the Saipan Chamber of Commerce — on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 @ Fiesta Resort (Hibiscus Hall), starting at 6:30pm.  Doors will close promptly at 6:30pm.  Tickets cost $15 before the event and $20 at the door.  All eight senatorial candidates are expected to participate, myself included.  For more information contact the Chamber of Commerce at 233-7150.
3)  Gubernatorial Forum, sponsored by the Kagman Komunidat Association — on Friday, October 23, 2009, at the Kagman Community Center starting at 7pm .  All undecided voters are invited to attend and share their concerns. For more information, contact  Jesse Torres at kagmankomunidatassociation@gmail.com.
4)  Gubernatorial Debate, sponsored by the Saipan Chamber of Commerce – next week Tuesday, October 27, 2009 @ Fiesta Resort (Hibiscus Hall) starting at 6:30pm.  Doors will close promptly at 6:30pm.  Tickets cost $15 before the event and $20 at the door.  All four gubernatorial candidates are expected to participate.  For more information contact the Chamber of Commerce at 233-7150.
***
Thanks very much and have a great week!
Tina Sablan

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Posted on 16-10-2009
SAMPLE BALLOTS for 2009 CNMI Election
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These are sample ballots for the 2009 CNMI Elections. Each precinct ballot will be printed on both the front and the back (double sided) on legal sized paper. The front of each ballot will have the candidates for Governor, Mayor, Senate, House of Representatives, Municipal Council and Board of Education. The back lists the four initiatives. 

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Northern Islands.pdf (1086 KB)

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Precinct 1.pdf (1136 KB)

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Precinct 2.pdf (1088 KB)

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Precinct 3.pdf (1144 KB)

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Precinct 4.pdf (1094 KB)

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Precinct 5.pdf (1106 KB)

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Posted on 15-10-2009
“THURSDAYS WITH TINA” 6PM TONIGHT AT MINACHOM ATDAO PAVILION!
Filed Under (Public Notice) by admin

You are all invited for the second in a series of weekly community gatherings held throughout Saipan, where I will present my platform for the Saipan Senate race, answer questions, and listen to your concerns.  Tonight's gathering will be at Minachom Atdao Pavilion, across from the Ada Gym in Susupe, starting at 6pm.   
 
The next gathering will be held on Oct. 22 at Garapan Central Park, followed by Oct. 29 at Pakpak Beach (San Antonio) and Nov. 5 at Tanapag Beach.
 
I am also available for questions, comments, or concerns by email at tinasablan@gmail.com , phone at 285-3935, on the web at www.tinasablan.com and on Facebook, and in person.  
 
Please feel free to share this message with others.  I hope to see you tonight, and at future gatherings!
 
Thanks very much,
 
Christina-Marie (Tina) Elise Sablan
Independent Candidate for Senate, Saipan
#5 on the Ballot

Posted via email from Tina Sablan

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