The
December 13 - 26, 2023
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Kaselehlie Press
The
December 13, 2023
Free bi-weekly publication
KASELEHLIE PRESS PO Box 2222 Kolonia, Pohnpei, FM 96941
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Vol. 24 Issue No. 1
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Pohnpei’s Primary School stars shine bright in Christmas song showdown By Bill Jaynes The Kaselehlie Press
November 30, 2023 Pohnpei—Today, excited and sometimes raucous primary students from all over Pohnpei gathered at the Pohnpei State Gymnasium for the second annual Christmas Song Contest. The theme of the competition was “Christmas Lullaby,” though the majority of groups chose songs that were more like a “lullaby,” similar to that of the mythical drummer boy’s drum solo for the baby Jesus, and with the same type of storied enthusiasm. The competition was a judged affair with schools competing for placement and the top cash prizes. $200 went to first-place winners; $150 for second place, and $100 for third place. Each school that participated received $50
for any placement other than the top three. The judges, some of them last-minute fill-ins, were charged with rating school musical performances based on pitch, memory, presence, creativity, and attire. The last category was really only a matter of whether or not all students wore their school uniforms. Only one colors. As a judge, I gave that group marked them down for it. group did not wear their uniforms, but the full 15 points in that category, as they were uniformly dressed in bright did one other judge, while the other two Click here for continuation on page 4
FSM Apellate Division to hear multiple appeals on Supreme Court Decision on seating of Sigrah By Bill Jaynes The Kaselehlie Press
dismiss the appeal, saying essentially that since there were other matters in terms of relief for Sigrah that had not yet been December 12, 2023 decided, the November 2 ruling was not FSM—The matter of whether or not the yet final. They argued that appeals can November 2 court ruling that the FSM only be filed after all matters have been Congress acted against the Constitution decided. when it refused to accept the credentials of Senator-elect Yoslyn Sigrah after the On its own, the Supreme Court did special election in which Kosrae voters not have enough justices available elected her is still up in the air. The FSM to establish an appeals panel, which Supreme Court’s ruling is the subject of requires three judges. The November 2 three separate appeals. The appeals are ruling was issued by Associate Justice currently working their way through the Belcourt who cannot hear an appeal court system. Currently, there is at least on his own ruling. Due to Associate one hearing scheduled to take place in Justice Carl-Worswick’s relationship to January. Sigrah, she recused herself. According to the Chief Clerk, an appeals panel has On November 9, Speaker Esmond Moses been established consisting of Associate and the 23rd FSM Congress appealed the Justice Wentworth of the FSM Supreme court’s decision (Appeal Case P6-2023). Court and the Yap and Chuuk State court Sigrah’s legal team filed a motion to Justices.
No ruling on any matter has been handed down by the full panel on any of the appeals. However, on November 29, Wentworth ruled to deny the motion to dismiss Congress’ appeal. The ruling said that “a single justice may deny a motion to dismiss an appeal, and that a single justice’s action may be reviewed by the full panel.” The written version of that ruling was filed on December 1. On November 14, Ramp Mida filed a Petition for Writ of Prohibition, which became appeals case P7-2023. The petition asked the appeals panel to “bar the trial court from acting in excess of its jurisdiction to enjoin (or simply, put a stop to) the November 21, 2023, special election in violation of the separation of powers.”
Justice Belcourt was named as the respondent in that matter. The election, in fact, did not take place, and on November 24, Justice Belcourt filed his 12-page response defining the reasons why he felt that the trial court over which he presided had “not acted outside or in excess of jurisdiction.” He recommended that the appeals panel should deny the writ. His response was not a decision of the appeals panel, which set deadlines for the filing of briefs by involved attorneys and also set a hearing of oral arguments on January 10, 2024. However, Sigrah’s attorneys have requested that the hearing date be rescheduled to the middle of January in order to accommodate one of the attorney’s travel schedules. No ruling has yet been issued regarding the Click here for continuation on page 8