THIS is in response to Mr. Peter J. Perez’s recent letter to the editor.
For starters, I think Mr. Perez should come to terms with the fact that not everyone shares his views on the Pagan issue. As a member of the Pagan Mining Task Force, Mr. Perez from the start should be fully aware that the actions taken by this group would be under strict public scrutiny, meaning public criticisms are inevitable. What I find extremely disturbing is the fact that whenever someone shuns/opposes the actions of the said task force or offers his/her support for JG Sablan, AZMAR, or any other interested mining company, Mr. Perez takes it upon himself to “personally attack” these good citizens of the CNMI simply for expressing their respective opinions on the issue, which in most cases are not in Mr. Perez’s favor. Therefore, I am interested to know who these “people” in which Perez claims he is representing really are.
Next, do you not think that by appointing the Pagan Watch Group to the Pagan Mining Task Force that certain “special/personal interests” would be served? Mr. Perez’s recent temper tantrum is a classic example on how these appointments are in direct conflict with the true intent of the task force. In other words, it is fruitless to solicit for public comments on this issue when everyone knows that the task force itself has already made up its mind.
Third, a DPL official in a recent newspaper article expressed his disappointment on the Legislature’s actions when the latter overrode the governor’s veto on a bill reinstating JG Sablan’s mining permit. This same official said that the “override” does not mean a thing. Therefore, I am interested to know whether this same public official is suggesting that the governor’s “veto” does not mean a thing either. I mean these powers are derived from constitutional provisions that establish the “checks and balances” doctrine.
Finally, here is a question that I believe everyone following this issue should ask themselves: “What happens should Mount Pagan erupt again?” We ALL lose!

KIMO MAFNAS ROSARIO
Koblerville, Saipan