This is to announce that there will be a House session tomorrow, March 26 @ 10am in the House chamber.
Click here for the draft agenda
There will be a a Senate session tomorrow, February 7 beginning at 10am in the Senate Chamber.
Dear people of the Commonwealth,
I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to my fellow citizens, friends, and family members who contributed to my election campaign. In particular, I would like to thank my parents Eugenio and Carmela Sablan for their untiring affection and for reminding me from time to time to eat and sleep; my better half Glen Hunter for his boundless love and unfailing honesty; my second mother Gloria Hunter whose home and company gave me a warm and much-needed refuge; my dearest friend Martha Mendiola, who helped me keep my sense of humor and sanity during a sometimes trying campaign; my co-treasurers Brooke Nevitt and Reina Camacho, who cheerfully and diligently kept the financial books in order; and Jessica Barcinas and Val Alepuyo, whose earnest words of conviction and encouragement ultimately convinced me to run for office in the first place.
I am also deeply grateful to the scores of people, too numerous to list individually here, who generously assisted my campaign in one heartfelt way or another. To all who helped collect signatures for my candidacy, spent their evenings with me in community gatherings and brainstorming sessions, went house to house with me, stuffed envelopes, passed out brochures, shared information, and freely gave of their time, resources, advice, constructive criticism, support, and prayers: thank you.
I would like to encourage my fellow citizens to begin thinking now about running for office themselves in 2009 and beyond. A major factor in my decision to run this year was the hope that my campaign might help open the doors for new candidates in future elections, not only in the Legislature, but in all branches of government. The CNMI needs more of its honest and visionary citizens to step forward and offer themselves to the community as candidates for leadership and public service. That an independent first-time candidate can make it into office on a campaign based entirely on a call for good governance, without a single fundraiser, rally, billboard, bumper sticker, roadside waving, or promise of jobs is a sign that our community is indeed ready for change.
There is no question that we face a long and difficult road ahead, but we can prevail and realize a great vision for our Commonwealth if enough caring citizens are committed to that cause.
As always, I continue to welcome ideas, concerns, and advice from the community. I may be reached by email at tinasablan@gmail.com, by phone at 483-3935, and here at the Commonwealth Dialogues online forum.
Tina Sablan
“i would like to hear your thoughts about the tribune’s headline yesterday where cohen mentioned the possibility of granting permanent residence here in the commonweath to approx 8K non-resident workers. you testified in congress last month that you did not see anything wrong with this move and i wonder if you still have the same view today.” — Nicky/John Jr. “all i ask of you is to PLEASE side with us.protect our future.DON’T GIVE PERMANENT RESIDENCY TO ALL NON-RESIDENT PEOPLE! this ideas spells D-I-S-A-S-T-E-R!!!! and this is your statement to the US CONGRESS.that is another issue i have with you, by the way.i like you, BUT YOU ARE SCARING ME.” — Nicky/John Jr.
“Tina, how can you put those animals above your own people?” — Anonymous caller, after the federal hearing in August
Nicky/John Jr. and others on and off this forum have asked me to explain my position supporting the efforts of nonresidents to improve their status in the CNMI. Some have warned me that I will lose votes if I maintain this position. I can accept that. People should know where their candidates honestly stand on the issues, and then make their own informed decisions. I respect any citizen’s decision to vote or not vote for me based on a position that I have taken as a matter of conscience. My position supporting the efforts of nonresidents Read the rest of this entry »
My website administrator has recently brought to my attention that the following aliases (screen names) are all associated with the same IP address (202.88.89.89):
“I’m an idealist without illusions.” — John F. Kennedy
Lately citizens have been asking me what kind of legislator I would be if I were elected. Will I compromise my principles and vote against my better judgment on my colleagues’ bills so I can win their votes for my bills? Have I identified anyone in the Legislature who would support my ideas? Do I realize that pushing bills through the Legislature is a “numbers game,” a game of tit for tat, of “I’ll scratch your back, if you scratch mine”? Am I willing to set aside idealism for two years and play the games of old school politics? Read the rest of this entry »
Although we will not be censoring comments on this website, I do think it is important to call personal attacks when we see it. The ground rules of this forum call for honest, civil discourse — this means sticking to the issues, and refraining from personal attacks and namecalling. I ask everyone who visits and participates in this forum to treat each other with respect regardless of whether we agree or disagree on the issues. Read the rest of this entry »
Bad Behavior has blocked 348 access attempts in the last 7 days.