Northern Mariana Islands extends deadline to make licensing decision

The escrow agreement, which sets the deadline for the issuance of the casino license, was to expire last Friday. Extending the escrow agreement for 30 days, according to the commission chairman, Commerce Secretary Sixto Igisomar, means that the commission can issue the license to the applicant, Best Sunshine, within that period. The commission scheduled its next meeting for Tuesday.

Department of Public Safety Commissioner James C. Deleon Guerrero moved that the commissioners “actively engage in negotiations with Best Sunshine to speed up the process, procuring administrative staff or additional counsel if necessary.”The two motions were adopted.

Igisomar said they would not have enough time to make a decision by today so they would adjourn and continue to work with Best Sunshine to finalize the casino development agreement.“Hopefully when we meet on Tuesday we will be close to an agreement,” he said.

Deleon Guerrero noted that there was anxiety in the community among those for and against the casino. He added, “What I would like this commission to do is make sure we do what we’re supposed to and uphold the general expectations of the community. We must ensure that the final agreement is one that is in the best interests of the entire commonwealth.”