PLAIN ENGLISH
Maureen N. Maratita
Half the stories in this paper are the good news that businesses in the Mariana Islands are investing, and we can look forward to more shopping and dining, staycations in sparkling new facilities and new products and services are available.
The other stories are about the trials businesses are encountering as inflation and supply chain challenges remain with us.
If there’s any consolation, it’s that other areas of the world have it worse. …
Take England’s new Prime Minister Liz Truss (and a lot of people in England would like you to do so).
Her measures to curb inflation and relieve the cost of power as winter approaches have seen the pound drop to its lowest level ever (as her countrymen contemplate the rising costs of imported goods and their traditional winter holidays) and the return of environmentally dubious fracking in the country.
Still, the Saipan Chamber and its supporters would approve of her decision to roll back the Sugar Tax — a tax detested by consumers, retailers, wholesalers, restaurateurs — in fact just about everybody who votes in the Northern Mariana Islands. What a time for politicians to impose a tax as we are weeks away from elections.
Mrs. Truss kept her reasoning simple for a hands-off approach to sugar, salt and more. “People don’t want the government telling them what to eat.” …
This is a plea not only to exercise your democratic privilege and vote in the upcoming elections, but — if you are a candidate for public office — to remind your supporters to drive not only with caution, but with consideration.
That campaign sticker on the back window of a car that has you slamming on the brakes so the driver can squeeze into your lane does not create goodwill and may lose you votes. …
And since I am handing out free advice, if you indicate as your wheels make a turn, that’s too late. When did driving skills become so poor? …
Maybe it’s the hustle and bustle as the island’s wheels of commerce begin to turn again, that has people driving as if they’re under different speed restraints from the rest of us.
As we draw near to the start of the holiday season, there’s a pressure on some of our businesses that begins to mount, particularly those in the retail and hospitality market sectors.
It’s been quite a few weeks of events that have brought visitors to our islands, had us out and about at parties and at fundraisers — or judging by the photos — fun-raisers. While COVID-19 remains a part of our lives — it’s just great to see all those smiling faces. Check out who was “in the house” on Pages 12, 13 and 14. …
In other news, and back by popular demand we’ll not only be publishing photos of the events you hosted, attended, or fundraised at, but we’ll be also posting them on the Journal web site. Another good reason to visit www.mbjguam.com.
While you’re online, sign up for our free news updates — straight to your inbox.
So you don’t miss out, you can also renew your subscription to the paper and Guam Business Magazine there. …
— Maureen N. Maratita is the publisher at Glimpses Media. Publications at Glimpses Media include the Marianas Business Journal, MBJ Life, The Real Estate Journal, Guam Business Magazine, Beach Road Magazine, Buenas and Drive Guam.
