Ed Propst – Eco-champ for parks and pups

IT’S not every day you meet a local politician who walks the walk when it comes to greener, cleaner communities and showing animals some love. But that’s exactly what you get with Representative Ed Propst of the CNMI Legislature, aside from being a guy who loves life and barbecues.

This longtime public servant doesn’t just talk about beautifying parks and protecting four-legged friends – he’s out there doing the hard work to make it happen. Just ask him about all the environmental initiatives and animal welfare causes he’s championed over the decades.

“Well before I was in office, I learned from my parents to be a good steward of our environment. I’ve participated in many community and island-wide clean-ups spanning five decades,” Propst stated matter-of-factly. Walking the talk is kind of his thing.

Some of his most impactful moves include teaming up with fellow Representatives to provide free trash hauling for constituents to prevent illegal dumping. “We saw so many old appliances abandoned in Obyan and Koblerville because people didn’t want to drive to Marpi,” he explained. “So we used our own funds to pick that stuff up free of charge. Huge difference maker.”

Collaboration has been a key element in Rep. Propst’s efforts. “We have also been working with the Department of Public Works and the Office of the Mayor to establish an area for green waste in As Gonno, and this is now a reality. Green waste can be deposited and processed into mulch that people can use in their farms or gardens,” he said.

Rep. Propst, along with Reps. Camacho and Aldan, also employ community workers who actively engage in beautification efforts every week. “They’re bush cutting and picking up trash around bus stops, painting and repairing bus stops, replacing backboards and rims at basketball courts, and so much more,” he proudly stated. “They’ve cleaned up Koblerville basketball court, Dandan Children’s Park, San Vicente Park, and Dandan Softball Field, and helped schools repaint classrooms, cut their grass, and water blast walkways, to name a few.”

When it comes to addressing illegal dumping and littering, Rep. Propst acknowledges that legislation alone is not the solution. “I can assure you, it is not. It can help curb it, but it won’t eliminate it,” he said. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of establishing transfer stations in remote villages and implementing universal trash collection. “Public awareness campaigns are also important. Look at Palau. It was not always as pristine as it is today. That took a huge campaign effort from their elders and leaders to ingrain in the community a clean and healthy environment as a part of their lives. All leaders in the public and private sectors here in the CNMI need to participate in and push for these public awareness campaigns. We all have to take pride in our beautiful Commonwealth and keep it clean and healthy,” he added.

Rep. Propst’s commitment extends beyond environmental initiatives to include efforts focused on improving public parks and recreational areas. “Right now, we are working on repairing the broken playground equipment at the San Vicente Park and Dandan Children’s Park,” he shared.

“We are grateful to Mr. Wayne Pangelinan of the Public School System who assessed the playground equipment. We are working with Mr. Epi Cabrera, Administrator at the Grants Management Office, to use federal funding to make these repairs, as they are well beyond what our offices can afford.”

But this eco-warrior’s mission extends far beyond just keeping CNMI’s landscapes on point. The lawmaker also has a huge soft spot for animals, introducing legislation to crack down on cruelty and promote their welfare.

“I worked to pass the Animal Protection Act which prohibits mistreating domesticated animals and makes cruelty illegal,” Propst shared. He’s also pushed bills to improve access to veterinary care and euthanasia services.

“The primary legislation that I worked to pass into law is the Animal Protection Act, or CNMI Public Law 21-31, which prohibits cruelty and theft of domesticated animals, and makes their cruel mistreatment, abandonment, and cruel neglect illegal,” he explained.

Rep. Propst also introduced House Bill 23-34, aimed at helping animal control agencies and humane societies administer euthanasia drugs for animals, and House Bill 23-83, to authorize the Secretary of DLNR to approve licensed veterinarians.

His fierce advocacy didn’t go unnoticed by the animal welfare community either. “Rep. Propst is a wonderful advocate who uses his platform to benefit animals,” raved Lauren Cabrera from the Saipan Humane Society. “From raising awareness about adoptable pets to introducing laws protecting four-legged friends – we’re so grateful for his support.”

At the end of the day, Ed Propst is the type of passionate, roll-up-your-sleeves public servant you want in your corner if you care about this island’s environment and critters. He’s a true eco-warrior for CNMI’s parks and pups. When asked what he thinks of his endeavors, he shyly responds, “It’s always a team effort and I’m just one spoke on a moving wheel.”

“Our pets are family, and I want to instill that same love for animals in our kids,” Propst said. “That’s why I foster and adopt shelter dogs when I can, and why I’m doing everything possible to control the stray overpopulation humanely.”

“My daughter Kiana will be leaving for the mainland in the fall for college and wants to be a veterinarian. I’m a huge advocate and supporter of Saipan Cares for Animals, Saipan Humane Society, Boonie Babies, and the Office of the Mayor’s Dog Control Program, and have adopted and fostered several dogs,” he added.

With Ed Propst bearing the torch, CNMI’s push for a cleaner, greener, more pet-friendly future is in good, capable hands. Now that’s how you represent the environment and its creatures properly!