Sour Grapes for Tuesday, September 18th

Keep Trying
It’s up to us
An historic event approaches that could change the course of the CNMI in just one day. We have a chance to stop the ten year downward spiral of our economy by our own actions. We are not at the mercy of outside events this time. This time we are in control and can help ourselves to the bounty that a booming economy brings.

The event? Our mid term elections on Tuesday, November 6th. The opportunity? Our right to vote Yes on the public initiative to use gaming, casino gaming, as our road to prosperity here on Saipan Island. By doing so we will benefit the economy of the whole CNMI. By doing so we will once again take control of our own destiny and once again march toward a bright and prosperous future.

Why Saipan? Because Saipan is where the infrastructure already exists, where the majority of tourists already come to vacation and enjoy themselves, where all our international guests already arrive at a functioning, secure airport. Where resort hotels, golf courses, restaurants, shopping and other entertainments are already in place.

Jobs can be created, hundreds certainly, and with determination, thousands perhaps. Most all of these jobs can be earmarked for our own local residents. Opportunities will abound for all residents to enjoy and take part in. The casinos that will be housed in 200 room or bigger resort hotels will need investors and our island residents whether indigenous, mainland or foreign nationals can participate fully and openly in these investment opportunities.

As written, the new gaming opportunity is patterned after the widely successful mainland US Indian (Native American) gaming systems. In this system only one license is granted and that licensee can, with strict controls in place, authorize companies to build, operate or even renovate existing hotels to house professional and well regulated casino gaming. It has one very large advantage over a multi license arrangement: for a change, much of the money will stay here in the CNMI. Significant portions of the proceeds will go into our local government coffers to benefit all islands of the Marianas and even larger shares will go into the pockets of our CNMI residents and into pre approved community programs.

Gaming generates large sums of money and does so in a relatively short period of time. We don’t have to wait for years to build new factories or wait to find new business ideas. We don’t have to wait until we can attract a clientele. The buildings, the people and the tourist customers are already here and will grow ever larger as the word gets out that Casino gaming has been added to the attractions tourists can enjoy here.

This opportunity has another advantage that bears mentioning. The poker parlors now scattered throughout our roads and villages can all be moved into the few, licensed, regulated casinos and the users targeted for casino play can be tourists and well heeled residents instead of making access easy for village residents.

A lot of money can come into our government and local business coffers quickly and a lot will be found in the pockets of our citizens from jobs and investment gains when we vote to jump start the gaming industry here in the CNMI. I urge you to vote Yes on this important initiative. Let’s use this opportunity to take control of our own economic destiny again.
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My Lai ?
Coconut wireless rumor has it that the Park Department Rangers over at American Memorial Park have the solution to the ownerless boonie dog problem. After baiting them with tasty food it is said, they round ‘em up and shoot ‘em. Yep, real guns. Clean up is something of a problem as some of the wounded got away and weren’t disposed of with the rest of the bodies.

I print this without the least bit of corroborating evidence except for ‘I heard it from someone who heard it from someone.’ So you can, and should, take it with a grain of salt. If true, maybe the mayor’s new program of building a big expensive shelter can be dispensed with and all the strays taken over to AMP for disposal and a bit of target practice. PAWs members are sure to be excited about this turn of events. If not true, I apologize in advance. (I think it’s called CYA). Sometimes rumors have a basis in fact.
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Yin and Yang
The local staff of the US Interior Department recently made a trip to Japan to hold meetings designed to increase air traffic to Saipan by helping new airlines gain approval to fly here.

Many here at MVA and elsewhere have called for increased airline seats as one key ingredient needed to improve our ailing tourism industry. This move by DOI is a little heralded but much appreciated activity and shows us the kind of positive work Interior does to enhance business and the economy here. Thanks.

I have already noted frequently that the usual business of Cohen is not so business or citizen friendly since the Democrat Party got control of the US House. He has been turned to The Dark Side and spends his time redrafting the Senate Immigration Takeover Bill at the bidding of Darth Allen Stayman. Even if he doesn’t anymore, at least his staff has our best interests at heart.
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Quote of the week: Success seems to be connected with action. Successful men keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit. Conrad Hilton (1887-1979)