KPress Vol. 17 Iss. 05

Jaynes, Bill (2017-02-13). KPress Vol. 17 Iss. 05 (PDF) (Report). Kolonia, Pohnpei: Kaselehlie Press.

• Has attachment: File:95TVX2E8.pdf

Abstract: KPress Vol. 17 Iss. 05: NEWS: Pohnpei—under the theme “Recognizing and Celebrating Learning Achievements,” the Pohnpei Department of Education marked Education Day at the COM-FSM China Friendship Gym in Palikir, an extended program featuring numerous awards and special performances by teachers and students that sustained audience engagement throughout; legal coverage reports that Pohnpei State filed an eight-count criminal information against former Governor John Ehsa, centered on allegations that on October 8, 2014 he approved a travel authorization for himself in the amount of $13,000 to travel from Pohnpei to Pohnpei, with findings forwarded to the Attorney General’s Office by the Compliance Investigation Unit of the Pohnpei Office of the Public Auditor; Assistant Attorney General Judah Johnny stated that documents presented during the Sea Cucumber hearing did not prove the existence of meetings of traditional leaders as claimed by plaintiffs, noting that while minutes for five meetings of the Mwoalen Wahuen Pohnpei were reportedly supplied to a liaison officer and subpoenaed, they were not produced during the January hearing, with plaintiffs instead submitting transmittal documents for stipends and a few agendas but no meeting minutes; Johnny suggested there might be grounds for appeal depending on the court’s ruling, though at press time the court had not ruled on the defendants’ motion to dismiss; municipal reporting notes a small paving project in Kolonia Town, described by Mayor Jose San Nicolas as a pilot initiative and a precursor to broader road repaving; additional community coverage includes a New Year reception hosted by the Japanese Ambassador; OPINION / EDITORIAL: commentary references an April 2016 letter from the Nahnmwarki of Sokehs, Herculano Kohler, stating that the Mwoalen Wahuen Pohnpei had disbanded, a claim relied upon by defendants in seeking dismissal of the Sea Cucumber case on the grounds that plaintiffs did not exist, alongside a brief notice outlining application requirements including submission of reference letters or written statements supporting candidate selection.