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SDA Tops Pohnpei State Annual Debate Held May 8, 1997

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): May 12, 1997 - Pohnpei Seventh Day Adventist School (SDA) won by a decision by the designated debate judges, the Pohnpei State Annual Debate held on May 8, 1997, at the FSM Supreme Court Chamber in Palikir, the FSM's Capital. Similar debates will be held among the high schools in the States of Yap, Kosrae and Chuuk to determine winners to compete in the final debates scheduled for the 1997 FSM Law Day Celebration in Kosrae State, to determine the FSM-wide winner, and runner-ups, according to Ms. Emeliana Musrasrik, Director of Administration, FSM Supreme Court.

This year's debate theme is, "Resolved that in order to reduce the cost of government, the three levels of government as provided for under Article 7, Section I, of the FSM Constitution shall be reduced by eliminating one governmental level."

The winner argued on the negative side of the issue, which favors the elimination of municipal or local government as a way of reducing the cost of government. A position which is consistent with the policies being pursued by the government of the FSM in its effort to cope with its present financial difficulties and its future financial uncertainties.

Debaters representing SDA were Natasha Isaac, Trixie Weilbacher who argued on the positive side. PATS debaters were Floyd Henry and Albert Francis arguing on the negative side. The debaters representing the Calvery Christian Academy were Bethleen Petrus and Alessa Crossan, and the debaters from PICS were Natalia Peter and Rosalinda Nakasone.

The Judges were Emilio Musrasrik, Esquire, FSM Assistant Attorney General; Fred Ramp, Esquire, Private Attorney; Captain Graig Slebrch, Civic Action Team in Pohnpei; Martin Jano, Esquire, Private Attorney; Dino Donre, Directing Attorney, FSM Legal Services in Pohnpei; and Chuck Greenfield, Esquire, an Attorney at Legal Services, Pohnpei Office.