Reposted from the Saipan Tribune - an article and photo by Walter J. Sutherland 04/15/10
(From left, Zoning Board member Joe Limes, Triple Star Saipan manager Tony Reyes, Saipan Mayor Donald Flores, Zoning Board member Isidoro Cabrera, Basula Producto manager Eric Cruz, Zoning Board chair Herminia Fusco, and acting Zoning administrator Therese Ogumoro pose to mark the implementation of the junk car removal program.)
Starting yesterday, the public began seeing neon-colored violation stickers on junk cars throughout the community.
The Zoning Office is now implementing the island-wide junk vehicle removal program with the help of the Saipan Mayor's Office and two recycling companies-Basula Producto and Saipan Triple Star.
Once a sticker is placed on a car, the owner will have 28 days to remove it themselves and avoid a fine from the Zoning Office. If a junk vehicle obstructs the right of way on a road, then the owner will have 48 hours to remove it themselves.
“I am very grateful that this program is finally beginning because all of the junk vehicles present problems to the island's image. This program's implementation is long awaited for and we're going to ensure that these eyesores get removed as soon as possible in effort to instill back the beauty our island deserves,” said Zoning Office acting administrator Therese Ogumoro.
Ogumoro encourages all owners of these vehicles to comply with the notices to avoid stiff penalties and to visit or call the Zoning Office to obtain information for proper disposal.
“Owners should know that once a violation sticker is placed on their junk cars, time starts ticking and they should comply with the notice's time-frame. We'll give no exceptions.our island deserves to look beautiful and safe for our children, residents, and visitors as well,” said Ogumoro.
Zoning Board chair Herminia Fusco said, “We intend to carry out this program as efficiently as possible with the public's cooperation. That is the only way that we can free island from all of these heaps of scrap metal. With the help of the Saipan Mayor and the two recycling companies, we should begin seeing changes to our island's image not too long from now.”
Owners of junk car vehicles will be required to pay violation fines if they fail to remove their scrap vehicles. For more information, call the Zoning Office at 234-9661 or visit their location on the second floor of the Joeten Commercial Building in Dandan.
