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Category: News
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Published: Friday, 11 May 2018 02:55
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Written by Bill Jaynes
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By Bill Jaynes
The Kaselehlie Press
May 3, 2018
Kolonia, Pohnpei—During Saipan’s Governor Ralph Torres’ visit to Pohnpei to attend the meeting of the Pacific Islands Development Bank, he invited Kolonia Town Mayor Jose San Nicolas to go to Saipan for a visit. The Mayor jumped at the opportunity and made the trip at his own expense just two days after the gala opening of the now heavily used China Kolonia friendship gym.
During the visit, Governor Torres asked San Nicolas how Saipan could help Kolonia Town. San Nicolas said that he first offered help on the problem of recycling of scrap metal that has become a big problem since China banned the importation of metals. That ban meant that the Chinese owned scrap metal yard in Nett closed down. But Mayor San Nicolas said that Kolonia had already made arrangements with a company from Taiwan, the details of which are in their final stages.
Instead, San Nicolas asked the Governor if Saipan could potentially provide expert trainers for the Kolonia Town Police Department since Kolonia has no police academy. The governor agreed to that and more and has organized a group of instructors that is set to arrive in Pohnpei on May 17.
San Nicolas has written to each of the police departments in Pohnpei’s municipalities and to the State Police to invite those departments to attend the training exercises.
In addition to offering the training, which will also include paramedic training, Governor Torres also offered two used police vehicles, a used ambulance, and firearms for the police force along with the shipping costs for those items.
San Nicolas said that he notified the FSM Secretary for the Department of Justice, Joses Gallen of the handgun donation and agreed that the handguns should be shipped to the National Police for safekeeping until legal matters can be resolved. San Nicolas said that he doesn’t think that there is currently law on the books that would allow officers of municipalities to carry firearms but that he also wasn’t certain whether the law prohibits. He is seeking clarification on that matter from AG Gallen. Additionally, none of Kolonia’s officers are currently handgun certified, though the matter of certification will change after the professional police trainers arrive if they are allowed to train with the weapons. That remains to be seen.
He said that CNMI has previously donated handguns to FSM states but those donations were to the states and not to municipal governments in those states.
Some have vociferously questioned the need for an armed Kolonia Police force since handguns are banned in the FSM. In a social media conversation on the issue, Kolonia Town Council Speaker Jack Harris reminded readers that approximately two years ago a lone gunman approached the Kolonia Town hall and started firing live rounds. Four unarmed Kolonia Town police officers had to hide until the gunman stopped to reload at which time they were able to disarm him.
Read more: Kolonia Town moving along with a little help from friends
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Category: News
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Published: Friday, 11 May 2018 02:55
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Written by Bill Jaynes
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Hits: 959
By Bill Jaynes
The Kaselehlie Press
May 3, 2018
Pohnpei—Pohnpei’s Senator Aurelio Joab made a statement at the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) regarding the Governor’s plans to establish a resort and casino in Pohnpei. It was not a new idea but his presentation garnered a strong reaction on social media after a youth delegate posted a video of the speech.
The idea was first introduced by former Governor John Ehsa, albeit on a grander scale than is currently being proposed. Current Governor Marcelo Peterson also mentioned the idea of a 200 room resort when he gave his State of the State address to the legislature. He said that a company was interested “in establishing a 5-star or 4-star hotel operation in Pohnpei and will be adding an additional 200 rooms.” His speech made no mention of a casino operation but Senator Joab’s presentation to PATA in Saipan did, though Joab’s speech made no mention of any particular investor.
In July of 2016, the Governor issued a call for a feasibility study for a Five Star Eco-Lodge Resort. That call also made no mention of a casino operation.
Pohnpei’s Chief of Staff, Joseph Saimon said today that it is true that the Governor submitted a bill to Pohnpei’s Attorney General for review before submission to the legislature that if passed would allow for a casino operation in Pohnpei. He said that the provisions of the bill would be similar to the bill that the legislature passed during Ehsa’s administration. It would not allow for locals to gamble at the casino but would allow for visiting foreigners to do so.
“A passport would be required for gaming entrance,” he said.
Saimon said that the bill that Pohnpei Legislature passed during the Ehsa administration had a “sunset clause” that has expired. The bill currently on the AG’s desk would also have a similar sunset clause for action.
Contrary to what Governor Peterson said during his State of the State address, Saimon said that no developer had yet been identified but if the bill passes legislative scrutiny, the State would issue a call for notices of interest. An investor would be chosen from those investors who submit notices of interest.
Saimon said that a potential site for the resort could be in Dekehtik or on a property in Madolenihmw.
He said that Pohnpei legislators spent time in Saipan investigating the operations and history of resort casinos there.
Senator Joab was in Guam at press time.
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Category: News
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Published: Friday, 11 May 2018 02:55
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Written by Bill Jaynes
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Japan officially turns over paving equipment to Pohnpei
By Bill Jaynes
The Kaselehlie Press
April 24, 2018
Pohnpei—This morning the Japanese Embassy officially turned over road paving equipment to the Pohnpei Transportation Authority (PTA).
The donation of the two rollers and an asphalt finisher and their spare parts were worth approximately 41 million yen (approximately $376,000 USD).
In accepting the donation from Japan, Acting Governor Reed Oliver promised that the equipment would be maintained. He fluidly spoke the Japanese language when he thanked Ambassador Ryoichi Horie for the donation of the people of Japan to the people of Pohnpei.
Before turning over the symbolic keys to the equipment to the Acting Governor and the Pohnpei Transportation Authority, Ambassador Horie said that he hoped that the donation would help Pohnpei to maintain its roads. He also challenged the Pohnpei Transportation Authority to maintain the new equipment.
Though the equipment was officially turned over today, two weeks prior to the turnover, PTA had already used the equipment to repair streets in Kolonia that had been damaged during the heavy rains that caused mudslides in Pohnpei in late March.
Ambassador Horie witnessed some of the repairs that PTA was able to accomplish in Kolonia because of his country’s donation to Pohnpei.
