BRIEFS November 12, 2014 November 11 Election Tabulation Update COLONIA, Yap (Media Division) — The unofficial counting shows as of writing that Team Tony Ganngiyan is still leading the gubernatorial race with 2,254 votes, and trailed by Team Henry Falan with a total of 1,788 votes and Team Charles Chieng with 634 votes. Tabulators have just completed counting out all the ballot boxes that arrived onboard the MV Hapilmohol from the Neighboring Islands on Monday, including boxes from Guam, The CNMI and Palau. The ballot boxes from Honolulu, Dallas and Portland are still on the way, according to the Election Commissioner’s Office. Tabulation will resume once the three remaining boxes arrive on island. Following is the unofficial result for the Senatorial race in the 2014 Yap State General Election: SENATORIAL CANDIDATES VOTES DISTRICT # 1.Clement Mulalap 1,407 1 2.Theodore Ted Rutun 1,263 1 3.Nick Figir 1,102 1 4.Joseph Giliko 984 1 5.John Mooteb 803 1 6.Stan Kensof 758 1 7.Timothy Moon 648 1 8.Genevieve M. Mangefel 628 1 9.John Mafel 569 1 10.Berna X. Gorong 431 1 11.John Sigrah 371 1 12.Fidelis Thiyer Fanoway 338 1 13.Philip T. Ranganbay 314 1 14.Arnold Yokbay Ken 307 1 15.Alphonso Ganang 288 1 16.Petrus Beyan 217 1 17.Lazarus Ulith 334 2 18.Jesse Raglmar-SUBOLMAR 321 2 19.John Maswemai 286 3 20.Frank Haregaichig 152 3 21.Joanes Sarofalpiy 87 3 22.Dominic Maletaluo 51 3 23.Jerry Fagolimul 393 4 24.Raymond Igechep 176 4 25.Joseph Tiucheimal 403 5 26.Gabriel Ramoloilug 309 5 27.Francis Sermanyoung 35 5 Turnout for the proposed amendment to the Yap State Constitution reveals that 2,212 voters in Yap were in support of the proposition, while 2,526 did not support. For more information, contact the Office of the Yap State Election Commission at Tel: (691)350-6130, or visit their webpage at yapstategov.org/election.htm. FSM Citizens In Guam Provide Feedback For 2023 Planning Committee DEDEDO, Guam (FSMIS, Nov. 12, 2014) — The Federated States of Micronesia President Manny Mori led the 2023 Planning Committee and its Secretariat in a public forum for FSM citizens in Guam, held at the Astumbo Gymnasium in Dededo, Guam on November 1st. The meeting provided citizens with the opportunity to be updated on progress made on the 2023 action plan mandate in the collective attempt to better position the FSM State and National Governments ahead of the expected termination of annual grants under the Compact of Free Association with the United States. It also afforded the 2023 Planning Committee a platform for citizens to comment on the plan and provide input on specific components. The panel of presenters included Director Evelyn Adolph from the Office of Statistics, Budget and Economic Management, Overseas Development Assistance and Compact Management (SBOC) and Mr. Rob Solomon, a macro-economist and consultant who is assisting the Committee in formulating and documenting the plan. After opening the meeting, President Mori took up much of the task of responding to the series of questions and comments made by the attendees with occasional help from Governor Sebastian Anefal, Yap State, Lieutenant Governor Marcelo Peterson, Pohnpei State, and Mrs. Lorie Asher, the Kosrae State attorney general who represented Governor Jackson. Govern Johnson Elimo of Chuuk State was at the Planning Committees meeting the day before but was not able to join the forum with citizens. In general, the citizens expressed agreement to the plan as presented. They also raised some concern on the overall inability to develop a sustainable economy back home. A number of them said they would rather return home, but are unsure if they would find jobs. They also emphasized that the National and State leaders should collaborate on the 2023 Planning Committees endeavor to prevent drastic effects in the event that Compact sector grants are terminated. More importantly, the citizens concurred that the ultimate goal to pursue the next ten years is to grow the FSM economy by focusing on the needs of the private sector and removing impediments that complicate the business and investment climate. Without a sustainable economy, the health and education sectors would remain too depended on foreign assistance. In wrapping up, President Mori thanked the citizens for providing valuable feedback to the committee and invited them to help out in getting all-around support for the endorsement of the plan. Similar outreach meetings to update citizens and solicit feedback throughout the FSM will follow in the immediate future. The Committee anticipates finalizing the drafting of the plan by early December and have it ready for wider State and National leadership endorsement at the early part of 2015. President Moris Last, With His Majesty And At The Seminars TOKYO, Japan (FSMIS, Nov. 12, 2014) — After holding meetings in Guam from October 31st to November 2nd, Federated States of Micronesia President Manny Mori embarked to Tokyo, Japan on November 3rd. President Moris first activity in Tokyo was having an audience with His Majesty, The Emperor of Japan on November 4th. The President had the honor of making a courtesy visit with His Majesty as he commenced the last six months of his administration. According to President Mori, the Emperor shared interest and concerns on issues of importance to the FSM, including the environment and climate change challenges. His Majesty also recalled meeting former President Tosiwo Nakayama in the 80s before he became the Emperor. President Mori and the Emperor affirmed their mutual desire to strengthen the kizuna (strong bond) between the FSM and Japan. After his visit at the Imperial Palace, President Mori attended the opening of two seminars at the Aoyama Diamond Hall in Tokyo, sponsored by the Micronesian Registration Advisors, Inc (MRA) with support from the FSM Captive Insurance Council. Both the Captive Insurance Seminar and the Investment Seminar were opened by the President and also attended by Senator Peter Christian, representing the FSM Congress; Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Lorin Robert; Secretary of Justice, Madame April Dawn Skilling; Secretary of Education, Dr. Rufino Mauricio; Chief of Staff, Mr. Leo Falcam Jr.; and FSM Ambassador to Japan, Mr. John Fritz. The FSM Insurance Commissioner, Mr. Jesse Giltamag and the Registrar of Corporations, Mr. Samari Suta, along with the FSM Secretary of Justice, took part in the day-long seminars as presenters. President Mori expressed appreciation to the Japanese entrepreneurs who chose to attend the seminars and invited them to consider investing and establishing business relations in the FSM. The President said although this would be his last participation at the captive insurance and investment seminars in Japan, he believed the FSM will remain committed to safeguarding stability and growth. He has prioritized attending these seminars the past years as the President to further strengthen FSM-Japanese ties and raise business investment confidence in the FSM. A combined number of over one hundred-twenty business folks attended the seminars. President Mori had a loaded evening schedule on this day with the FSM Independence Anniversary reception and his visit to the Japanese Prime Minister took place back to back. Palau House Pushes Bill To Create Bureau Of Environment NGERULMUD, Palau (Island Times/PIR, Nov. 10, 2014) — The Palau House of Delegates have passed on third reading a bill that will create a Bureau of Environment within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Tourism and to task it with assisting State Governments, small businesses and individuals to meet EQPB standards and to obtain EQPB permit. House Bill No. 9-67-4 recognizes that EQPB regulations of small construction projects hampers the ability of homeowners and small businesses within the various states of Palau to grow and expand and that the costly permit process constitutes a substantial burden to many people seeking to pursue small scale construction projects. However, the OEK also recognizes that even small scale construction projects may result in unintended consequences to the environment and that exempting them from EQPB permit process can be inefficient and ineffective. Thus the OEK finds that the states should be equipped with the knowledge and means to assist homeowners and small scale businesses in their respective states in meeting EQPB requirements in order to easily get permits for small scale construction projects. Thus the OEK finds it necessary to create a Bureau of Environment with the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Tourism and to task it with assisting State Governments, small businesses and individuals to meet EQPB standards and to obtain EQPB permit for small construction projects amounting to no more that $50,000. The Bill states that the Bureau of Environment shall assist state governments, small businesses and individuals in meeting EQPB standards and in obtaining EQPB permits for any construction project whose total projected cost is $50,000 or less; the Bureau of Environment shall oversee each state construction project and ensure compliance with EQPB standards; and the Bureau of Environment shall have other powers and duties as may be assigned by the Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Tourism. In training state environment workers, the Bureau of Environment shall provide training and shall certify state employees to assist individuals and small businesses for small construction projects. Sufficient funds for the operations of the Bureau of Environment shall be authorized and subsidized in the budget of the National Government in every fiscal year and the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Tourism shall promulgate the rules and regulations of the Bureau of Environment. Traditional Music A Valuable Education Tool In The Federated States Of Micronesia WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio Australia, Nov. 11, 2014) — Traditional music is an integral part of culture across much of the Pacific and can be used to connect people to their histories. Dr. Brian Diettrich is a lecturer and ethno-musicologist from Victoria Universitys Te Koki New Zealand School of Music. In an upcoming trip to the Federated States of Micronesia, the latest of many over the past 15 years, Dr. Diettrich will be using traditional music to develop educational resources. [For the full Pacific Beat interview between ABC Radio Australias Richard Ewart and Dr. Diettrich, click on the link: radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/traditional-music-a-valuable-education-tool-in-the-federated-states-of-micronesia/1388163] Kiribati President Anote Tong Calls For Climate Action SYDNEY, Australia (Radio Australia, Nov. 12, 2014) — Hundreds of people are gathering on and around Sydney Harbour to watch the arrival of a flotilla of Pacific canoes. The vaka will sail under the Harbour Bridge on the final leg of the Mua Voyage, which has covered thousands of kilometers over the past few weeks. The President of Palau, Tommy Remengasau, Jr. and the Prime Minister of Cook Islands, Henry Puna have joined the voyagers as they prepare to make their grand entrance ahead of the opening of the World Parks Congress which Sydney is hosting. The President of Kiribati, Anote Tong has also joined the flotilla to press home the Pacific message on the need for urgent action on climate change. [For the full Pacific Beat interview between ABC Radio Australias Richard Ewart and President Tong, click on the link: radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/kiribati-president-anote-tong-calls-for-climate-action/1388557] Unite or Drown, Small Island Nations told at Climate Meet SEYCHELLES, SIDS (AFP/PACNEWS, Nov, 11, 2014) — The President of the Seychelles on Tuesday urged the planets small island nations to unite for an unprecedented campaign against climate change or else drown. The rallying call came at the start of a two-day summit of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), a coalition of small island and low-lying coastal countries, to prepare for global climate talks to take place in Lima, Peru in December. “Too often the world has chosen to ignore us. Too often we are treated as bystanders,” said Seychelles President James Michel, whose Indian Ocean island nation is hosting the meeting. “Let us be heard on every beach and every roadside. Let us be heard in Beijing, in Delhi, in Johannesburg, in London, in Moscow, in New York, in Paris, in Rio. Let us be heard in every village, in every town, in every city of the world. Let us be heard on the airwaves,” he said. “We cannot accept that climate change be treated as an inevitability. We cannot accept that any island be lost to sea level rise. We cannot accept that our islands be submerged by the rising oceans.” Low-lying island nations, some of which are little more than one meter (three feet) above sea level, are regarded as some of the most vulnerable to rising seas blamed on man-made climate change. Some small states in the Pacific such as Kiribati have already begun examining options for their people if climate change forces them from their homeland. “Climate change is the greatest threat of our time,” Michel said, saying that on the face of it the alliance appeared powerless. “We do not have the economic means to build sophisticated defenses. We do not have the latest technology to better adapt to the problem... nor do we have the economic might to apply sanctions on those most guilty of causing the problem,” he said. “But we have something that is invaluable, something that is powerful: we are the conscience of these negotiations. We stand as the defenders of the moral rights of every citizen of our planet.” UN climate talks will take place in Lima next month to pave the way to a December 2015 pact in Paris to limit warming to two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). Under the lowest of four emissions scenarios given by UN experts on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global average temperatures over this century are likely to rise by 0.3 - 1.7 degrees Celsius (0.5-3.1 degrees Fahrenheit), leading to a sea level rise of between 26-55 centimeters (about 10-22 inches). Under the highest scenario, warming would be 2.6-4.8 Celsius, causing a sea-level rise of 45-82 centimeters. -END- COMMUNITY MESSAGE: We have done our part at the poll already—quite a relief—but a piece in the October 31, 2014, news briefs may be of some use to us, especially the elected. “A Glimpse Into Yap’s Economic Environment”, submitted by Yap Chamber of Commerce, mentioned that the FSM average economic growth in the 1990s was at the rate of 1.8%. And Yap average growth rate was higher than the other FSM states, even the FSM national government at 2.6%. A decade later, 2000s, things were not the same anymore—the FSM growth rate was nearly flat at 0.3% and Yap’s growth rate was averaging 0.1%. The Chamber expressed sadness for Yap, yet the opportunity to build on the 1990s’ efforts could only be a combined effort by the public and private sectors. And we should not be sad at all, unless we, during that decade, gave economic development our honest efforts together.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Nov 2014 06:16:45 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015