$2.4 million CIP Funds: Here we go again!
The FSM Public Information Office has just announced (Presidential Order to release CIP Funds to Chuuk Municipalities) the signing of a Presidential Order releasing $2.4 million worth of Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funds to the Chuuk State municipalities. These Compact funds, according to the press release, were given to “the rightful owners” to help alleviate the “current economic hardships” in Chuuk. This decision by President Mori came after years of failed negotiations with our inept Chuuk State government to establish proper accountability procedures in Compact spending. So, is this welcomed news or should every Chuukese citizen be worried?
Read Morewhy bother when bigger problems abound?
The most interesting challenge to the demand for the presidential biographies came from a posting by a participant named only as “i” on the Micronesian Seminar online public forum who rightfully question the need for these biographies when there are more problems to focus on in Chuuk. This is in response to my email to the FSMPIO in which I thanked them for agreeing to prioritize this project.
Read Moreresponding to the presidential admonition
I spent a few hours late last night crafting my response to the FSM Public Information Office (FSMPIO). I’m glad I made the decision to sleep on it before sending the email, because the piece I wrote last night was way too strong and would have completely detract from the desired goal of getting the President’s Office to give priority to the missing biographies. It would have put far too much blame on the leadership of the FSMPIO who happens to be a former colleague who taught at Saramen Chuuk Academy. It is not about Patrick Blank who heads up the Public Information Office although he does advise the President, but ultimately about the Office of the President. After all, the President is in the end responsible for the integrity of his own official website. I know that Patrick is a professional and can put things into perspective. Anyways, I think this version which I sent off is much more rational and not written with the raw emotions of being called unMicronesian…just by speaking up against an elder. You be the judge.
Read MoreKiva loans
I have microlent to:
Paulina
| Location: | Peru, Ayacucho |
| Activity: | Internet Cafe |
I am Vid Raatior, an international educator, web designer, social entrepreneur, and blogger from the outer islands of Chuuk, Micronesia. I live in Northern California and work at Santa Clara University. 
