RB touts record, reelection bid at birthday fundraiser

The jingle was playing, the green balloons were up, and dozens of supporters and well-wishers were on hand as Saipan Mayor Ramon “RB” Jose Blas Camacho celebrated his 68th birthday by making the case for four more years.

Camacho’s catchy campaign jingle blared from the speakers, while balloons and banners in RB’s signature campaign green were everywhere during what the host called the “Mayor’s Birthday Fundraiser to re-elect” held last Sept. 4 at the Garapan Roundhouse.

But between the birthday cheers and calls of “biba RB,” Camacho had some business to attend to.

The Saipan mayor used the gathering to run through what he considers the accomplishments of his first term and ask voters to send him back to the Mayor’s Office for a second and final four years.

“Yes, I’m seeking again for re-election for another four years,” Camacho told supporters. “The mayor has only had two terms. Two terms only.”

Among the programs Camacho highlighted was his effort to revive an old village inspection program. The initiative encourages residents to clean around their homes and remove overgrown vegetation, junk vehicles, and other materials that could become health, environmental, and public safety problems.

Camacho also pointed to his outreach to Saipan’s different ethnic communities and faith leaders, saying he wanted them involved in making the island’s villages safer and cleaner.

“How can we all work together to promote a safe community, safe village, and a clean island,” Camacho said.

The mayor also counted the opening of a new public cemetery among the work accomplished during his tenure. Another program he highlighted was Adopt-a-Place, which brings families, nonprofit groups, government agencies, and businesses into efforts to maintain and beautify parts of Saipan.

“Adopt-a-Place program is so important in our community,” Camacho said, adding that the idea is for participants “to take ownership.”

After going through his first-term record, Camacho got to the main reason for the night’s political gathering.

“For this initiative, my dear people, I want to humbly, I and my wife, I want to be humbly seeking your utmost support and consideration to consider me back for another four years,” he said.

Camacho said a second term would focus in part on bringing greater peace and cooperation to the community at a time when Saipan is dealing with unemployment, government austerity and a struggling economy.

His prescription was decidedly old school: Make better use of the land and ocean.

Camacho encouraged residents to farm and fish again, saying Saipan could put more locally produced food on family tables while creating economic opportunities.

He also warned against trying to solve the government’s financial problems by raising taxes, saying businesses are already struggling and consumers would ultimately shoulder the burden.

“Let’s stop thinking about increasing the tax. Because that’s not a solution,” Camacho said. “So we’re going to be creative. And let’s all work together. And let’s create a local industry here in our island.”

Camacho also touched on illegal drugs and crime, calling on residents, government officials, and law enforcement to work together to keep Saipan safe.

He then pointed to his response following recent typhoons as an example of the hands-on approach he said he brings to the job. Camacho recalled heading into the villages with his staff after conditions cleared to check on residents and open roads for emergency vehicles.

“The reason why I did that, because I want to make sure that my people are safe,” he said. “We immediately cleared the roadway for any emergency.”

As the birthday celebration continued, Camacho returned to the message he wanted supporters to take home with them.

“Please support the mayor on this journey for another turn,” Camacho said.