When you get stuck along Beach Road, better take the Middle Road. This is a website for those who choose to tread Saipan's off the beaten path.
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The following email circulates around not only in the CNMI but across the globe. The email has been forwarded to all Filipinos and other nationalities with email access on Saipan and the rest of the world. Now, the question, what can this petition do to help the ailing contract workers in the CNMI who have been on the islands for at least five years or those that have been here for 20 to 30 years?
Now that federalization has been implemented what can this do again? You tell me....
Here's the email message:
KABABAYANS, CLASSMATES, COLLEAGUES, CO-EMPLOYEES, FRIENDS, RELATIVES, SUPPORTERS AND SYMPATHIZERS
PLEASE HELP US TO OUR PLIGHT. FEDERALIZATION LAW WILL BE APPLIED IN THE U.S. COMMONWEALTH OF NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS- U.S. CNMI, BEGINNING NOVEMBER 28, 2009.
BY SIGNING THE PETITION AT THE WEBSITE BELOW YOU ARE ALREADY HELPING US. THIS IS A WORLDWIDE CAMPAIGN SO EVERYBODY CAN SIGN IN, REGARDLESS OF NATIONALITIES. YOUR HELP IS OUR FUTURE. WE NEED A GREEN CARD BECAUSE MOST OF US HAVE BEEN WORKING IN THE CNMI FOR MORE THAN FIVE YEARS OTHERS ARE TEN, FIFTEEN AND TWENTY (MOST OF US ARE HERE IN SAIPAN) AND WE DON'T WANT TO GET SEPARATED FROM OUR FAMILY ESPECIALLY TO OUR U.S. CITIZEN KIDS AT THE END OF THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD, WHICH IS BETWEEN 2009-2014) http://www.thepetitionsite.com/tell-a-friend/ 5925296
(PLEASE FORWARD)
THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND GOD BLESS AMERICA.
Yes folks. This is not one of those movie scenes where you can just wake up in the morning and the massacre you saw on TV or theater didn't actually occur.
We pray for the victims...
"A man shot and killed four individuals before turning the gun on himself in two separate shootings in Marpi and Kannat Tabla.Details of the shootings are still sketchy.In the Kannat Tabla shooting, the fatalities were two men in their late 20s and early 30s, both local residents, and two children under 10 years old. The two adult victims sustained gunshot wounds in the head, and police are saying they were shot at close range.The shooter then proceeded to Last Command Post and shot a group of mostly Korean tourists, wounding eight. The victims included two Korean children. He then went to Banzai Cliff where he shot himself."
Follow the story on Saipan Tribune.
CNN iReport also published the story....this story puts Saipan back in the map...
A runoff....
Eight votes lead....
Life is beautiful....
Congratulations to the newly elected and the re-elected....
HAPPY ELECTION DAY CNMI!
(Poster from http://www.agirlnamedmars.com/adam-fire-cat-for-mayor)
Risky to change leadership?
As the entire CNMI gears up for election this weekend, news today says that the incumbent discloses apprehensions on changing leadership in the time of crisis.
The incumbent according to Saipan Tribune expressed that it would be “very risky' for the CNMI to vote for a governor without proven leadership, especially in these challenging times amid federalization and economic recovery concerns. House Speaker Arnold I. Palacios, who is the running mate of gubernatorial candidate Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider of the Republican Party, says “change is inevitable.”
Are you ready for the big "Change?" Our poll, which is proven unreliable, is up for the BE tandem.
'Happy Elections' everyone!
Popstar Rihanna must be singing all over the islands today....Her Grammy winning song "Umbrella" lingers in the Marianas....
However, this "Umbrella" in the CNMI is about the permit that will be distributed to the "alien" or contract workers that according to Saipan Tribune about 9,000 to 11,000 will be given away next week. Ahhh...sounds like a winning prize in a Wheel of Fortune game on TV.
So, what do you think of this move from the CNMI Dept. of Labor?
UPDATE: NMI Under State of Health Emergency...see story on Saipan Tribune.....
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According to the online news that the government will have this option to fill the void at the Commonwealth Health Center. According to the report, the Governor finds it a logical move since there are challenges hiring doctors from the mainland or Canada.
The report also said this option makes sense since the CNMI has been referring its sick people to Manila for treatment.
The CNMI has not attracted American practitioners due to its compensation package that's not at par with the mainland rates. Hence, recruiting physicians and specialists from neighboring countries might be attractive because of the dollar rates being offered.
However, the report also said the CNMI has to comply with the federal requirements in order for the islands to receive medical insurance and financial assistance.
So, what can the islands do about this? Somebody has to look after the health of its people right?
Lawmakers exceeding their quarterly discretionary fund allotments. What gives?
What are these funds for and how should they use it? Should the public need to know? What are the recent projects that the community has benefited from these funds so far?
Saipan Tribune reports that "Some lawmakers once again exceeded their quarterly discretionary fund allotments and therefore had to borrow from their colleagues or ask for the reprogramming of at least $9,112 in April to June to cover for budget shortfalls, up from the reprogramming of almost $7,000 in January to March...Each lawmaker was allotted $22,367 in the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2009 or from April to June, lower than the $26,217 allotted during January to March."
After years of supporting federalization in the CNMI and when finally it happens, we want it delayed....
Recent news that Rep. Kilili, a vocal supporter of federalization for a long time has introduced a bill to delay the implementation of a federalized immigration and labor system in the CNMI until 2010.
While he's told the entire CNMI his reasons for his introduced bill, do you support this move?
Just asking....
For more info about the bill read on Saipan Tribune....
On related news, the contract workers led by United Workers' Movement request for the bill to include those that have been working in the CNMI legally for five years and extend the same privilege of staying in the Marianas for full five years starting this November....
That's the question we want to ask Saipan voters....
The CNMI elected Tina Sablan to the Congress why not to being a mayor, right?
This move from Mayoral candidate Angelo Villagomez has captured and divided the islands' opinions.
As the defunct Fugees would say "Ready or Not" here he comes...
Best of luck.
On Related News:
"9 Saipan mayoral bets present priorities." Read full story on Saipan Tribune.
