Camacho's veto overridden for Guam First Commission
By Sabrina Salas Matanane
Published Dec 23, 2008
It was clear Monday morning where lawmakers were heading as they moved legislation recently vetoed by Governor Felix Camacho into the voting file. Discussion began bill on Bill 378, which would create a Guam First Commission on the military buildup.
It marked the ninth such attempt by Democrat Rory Respicio to get this commission going. The senator said, "With all due respect to the Governor Camacho and his administration, I just can't see why he would feel offended to having a Guam First Commission, of which he is the chairman, where the Civilian Military Task Force is a technical arm to the group, where everything they've been doing so far will not be changed midstream, but actually be strengthened."
Lawmakers ultimately overrode the governor's veto by a vote of 12-3.
Related links
Bill 378
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Navy Forms Agreement with Guam EPA
Navy pens agreement with Guam EPA
By Clynt Ridgell
KUAM
Published Dec 23, 2008
The Navy and the Guam Environmental Protection Agency have signed an intergovernmental personnel agreement that will provide the local agency with full-time assignments of Navy employees for the next five years. The agreement is designed to assist GEPA in keeping up with current and impending work associated with the increase in Department of Defense activity and military construction projects on Guam.
Omar Damian, a NAVFAC Marianas environmental engineer, will assume the first rotational period for six months. During his time with GEPA, Damian will create a web-based system to centralize and track Navy-related environmental permit applications.
By Clynt Ridgell
KUAM
Published Dec 23, 2008
The Navy and the Guam Environmental Protection Agency have signed an intergovernmental personnel agreement that will provide the local agency with full-time assignments of Navy employees for the next five years. The agreement is designed to assist GEPA in keeping up with current and impending work associated with the increase in Department of Defense activity and military construction projects on Guam.
Omar Damian, a NAVFAC Marianas environmental engineer, will assume the first rotational period for six months. During his time with GEPA, Damian will create a web-based system to centralize and track Navy-related environmental permit applications.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Senator Pass Indigenous Fishing Rights Bill
Senators pass Guthertz's fishing rights bill
By Brant McCreadie
KUAM
Published Dec 23, 2008
Senator Judi Guthertz's Bill 327 provides indigenous fishing rights, which went up for a public hearing Monday. "I am very committed to the intent of this bill and I believe it sets a program where finally indigenous fishing practices and traditions can be recognized," said the Democrat policymaker.
The vote for the bill's passage was unanimous. The new law mandates the Department of Agriculture and a fishing council made up of grassroots organizations to develop rules to allow indigenous fishermen to practice traditional forms of fishing within the preserves.
Related links
Bill 327
By Brant McCreadie
KUAM
Published Dec 23, 2008
Senator Judi Guthertz's Bill 327 provides indigenous fishing rights, which went up for a public hearing Monday. "I am very committed to the intent of this bill and I believe it sets a program where finally indigenous fishing practices and traditions can be recognized," said the Democrat policymaker.
The vote for the bill's passage was unanimous. The new law mandates the Department of Agriculture and a fishing council made up of grassroots organizations to develop rules to allow indigenous fishermen to practice traditional forms of fishing within the preserves.
Related links
Bill 327
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Tough Times
Tough times: military expansion budget tight
By Michele Catahay
Published Dec 21, 2008
KUAM
Funding for the military buildup continues to look dim, according to Civilian Military Task Force member Tony Lamorena. The former Guam senator says that despite Guam's 2010 request for funding, there's been no response from the feds.
Lamorena told KUAM News, "Obviously we're not too happy about idea that the budget we submitted has yet to be entertained. But the reality is that a lot of the things we submitted in the 2010 budget are specifically to meet the demands of the military buildup. There's substantial amount of money for the port, DPW, and for various agencies that need to beef up their infrastructure prior to the military beginning the construction. We're still pushing that the 2010 budget we submitted will be entertained, but as governor stated he is disappointed by the lack of interest or movement by the federal government."
CMTF members are now working on developing a five-year budget request to be submitted to the federal government's Office of Management and Budget.
By Michele Catahay
Published Dec 21, 2008
KUAM
Funding for the military buildup continues to look dim, according to Civilian Military Task Force member Tony Lamorena. The former Guam senator says that despite Guam's 2010 request for funding, there's been no response from the feds.
Lamorena told KUAM News, "Obviously we're not too happy about idea that the budget we submitted has yet to be entertained. But the reality is that a lot of the things we submitted in the 2010 budget are specifically to meet the demands of the military buildup. There's substantial amount of money for the port, DPW, and for various agencies that need to beef up their infrastructure prior to the military beginning the construction. We're still pushing that the 2010 budget we submitted will be entertained, but as governor stated he is disappointed by the lack of interest or movement by the federal government."
CMTF members are now working on developing a five-year budget request to be submitted to the federal government's Office of Management and Budget.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
DOD Mystery Project in Yigo
DoD’s ‘mystery’ project puzzles Guam officials
17 December 2008
By Beau Hodai
Marianas Variety News Staff
THE Department of Defense is doing environmental assessments on a non-military property in Yigo—the purpose of which remains unclear to Guam officials and to the land’s current occupants.
George Bamba, the governor’s chief of staff, said yesterday the governor is unsure if the military may be looking to expand its operations outside of existing military properties.
“It’s always been the governor’s position, reinforced by his meeting with the Joint Guam Program Office and the Navy that any developments will be within the military’s existing footprint,” said Bamba. “We were told from the beginning that they would stay within their footprint. We have no further information to the contrary.”
Military contractors are currently surveying roughly 250 acres of land being occupied by the Guam International Raceway and another 400 acres of property to the south belonging to the Ancestral Lands Commission.
Raceway general manager Henry Simpson said recent reports about the relocation of military firing ranges have raised concerns on the future of the racetrack and the ancestral lands property.
Sen. Judi Guthertz said that under the revised Draft Master Plan, the firing ranges would face to the northeast, rather than to the west, and would be located near the southern portion of Andersen Air Force Base.
Guthertz raised concerns about such plan in a letter to Major General David Bice (retired), executive director of the Joint Guam Program Office.
Simpson noted that the racetrack location and the adjacent land currently being surveyed seem to fit the bill for the proposed artillery range.
Clueless
“We’re all sitting here speculating as to why and what they’re going to build and why and what they may need,” said Simpson. “They should be open to people so we can come up with a better idea. Even if they put it where we are, they are going to affect some usage of the water on the other side.”
Simpson said he would appreciate more input from the military as to what their plans are, as the Guam Racing Federation, the not-for-profit group that runs the racetrack, has invested 15 years in the track.
“I think they’re just going to sit on it and not tell us much,” said Simpson. “I don’t think anyone involved in this is antimilitary in any way. But we are people who will be highly affected by what they do and more affected than most by what they do if they take that piece of property away from us. So, it would be nice to know now, rather than five years from now, what their intentions are.”
Captain Neil Ruggiero, spokesman for JGPO, confirmed that DOD has been surveying land in the vicinity of the raceway, but could not comment on whether the military planned to use it, or what the military might use it for.
“We’re just looking at its suitability right now,” said Ruggiero. “I mean, we can’t determine anything until we determine the suitability of the land.”
“It remains our intent to maximize the use of DOD property for the military realignment. However, through the NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) and master planning processes, as well as through discussions with the Government of Guam, we have found that certain activities do not fit on DOD properties without adversely affecting the citizens of Guam,” Ruggiero added in a written statement.
“Accordingly, we have been in consultation with GovGuam officials on potential leasing of GovGuam lands. There are surveys currently taking place at various points on the island to determine the suitability of leasing lands for DOD use. The results of the surveys will not be known until sometime in the first quarter of 2009.”
Environmental assessment
Mike Cruz, manager of the Real Property Division of the Guam Economic Development and Commerce Authority, confirmed that the Navy has been assessing the Ancestral Lands Commission property adjacent to the raceway, but said the Navy has not indicated if they plan on using the land.
“We did give permission to the Navy to conduct environmental studies as well as natural resources studies as part of their Environmental Impact Statement for the relocation of the Marines,” Cruz said.
“They’ve asked our permission to take a look at the characteristics of this property in order for them to include it in the Environmental Impact Statement. Federal law requires that they take a look at all possible alternatives and they’ve indicated to us that that’s what they intend to do, to look at this as a possible alternative for the relocation of the Marines,” he added.
Lorelei Crisostomo, director of the Guam Environmental Protection Agency, said the agency is not sure what the findings or implications of the EIS will be at the time of its expected release in January. However, she said the JGPO Draft Master Plan only addressed properties already under military control.
Oscar Calvo, chairman for the Chamorro Land Trust Commission, said that the commission has not been approached by the military concerning the use of CLTC lands, but confirmed that the military has requested permission to survey the lands.
“They are looking, but nothing concrete. It would be premature for me to say it’s true or not true because they haven’t really come forward to the Chamorro Land Trust,” he said. “We have authorized them to go up there and to survey and that’s about it. Other than that, we don’t have anything concrete on that issue.”
Calvo said he has been involved with several conversations with the governor regarding potential military requests for more land.
“First of all, we don’t really want to give them any more land,” he said. “I’ve posed this to the governor—why don’t they use their own land, like Andersen or there’s a lot of military compound here that is still not being utilized.”
17 December 2008
By Beau Hodai
Marianas Variety News Staff
THE Department of Defense is doing environmental assessments on a non-military property in Yigo—the purpose of which remains unclear to Guam officials and to the land’s current occupants.
George Bamba, the governor’s chief of staff, said yesterday the governor is unsure if the military may be looking to expand its operations outside of existing military properties.
“It’s always been the governor’s position, reinforced by his meeting with the Joint Guam Program Office and the Navy that any developments will be within the military’s existing footprint,” said Bamba. “We were told from the beginning that they would stay within their footprint. We have no further information to the contrary.”
Military contractors are currently surveying roughly 250 acres of land being occupied by the Guam International Raceway and another 400 acres of property to the south belonging to the Ancestral Lands Commission.
Raceway general manager Henry Simpson said recent reports about the relocation of military firing ranges have raised concerns on the future of the racetrack and the ancestral lands property.
Sen. Judi Guthertz said that under the revised Draft Master Plan, the firing ranges would face to the northeast, rather than to the west, and would be located near the southern portion of Andersen Air Force Base.
Guthertz raised concerns about such plan in a letter to Major General David Bice (retired), executive director of the Joint Guam Program Office.
Simpson noted that the racetrack location and the adjacent land currently being surveyed seem to fit the bill for the proposed artillery range.
Clueless
“We’re all sitting here speculating as to why and what they’re going to build and why and what they may need,” said Simpson. “They should be open to people so we can come up with a better idea. Even if they put it where we are, they are going to affect some usage of the water on the other side.”
Simpson said he would appreciate more input from the military as to what their plans are, as the Guam Racing Federation, the not-for-profit group that runs the racetrack, has invested 15 years in the track.
“I think they’re just going to sit on it and not tell us much,” said Simpson. “I don’t think anyone involved in this is antimilitary in any way. But we are people who will be highly affected by what they do and more affected than most by what they do if they take that piece of property away from us. So, it would be nice to know now, rather than five years from now, what their intentions are.”
Captain Neil Ruggiero, spokesman for JGPO, confirmed that DOD has been surveying land in the vicinity of the raceway, but could not comment on whether the military planned to use it, or what the military might use it for.
“We’re just looking at its suitability right now,” said Ruggiero. “I mean, we can’t determine anything until we determine the suitability of the land.”
“It remains our intent to maximize the use of DOD property for the military realignment. However, through the NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) and master planning processes, as well as through discussions with the Government of Guam, we have found that certain activities do not fit on DOD properties without adversely affecting the citizens of Guam,” Ruggiero added in a written statement.
“Accordingly, we have been in consultation with GovGuam officials on potential leasing of GovGuam lands. There are surveys currently taking place at various points on the island to determine the suitability of leasing lands for DOD use. The results of the surveys will not be known until sometime in the first quarter of 2009.”
Environmental assessment
Mike Cruz, manager of the Real Property Division of the Guam Economic Development and Commerce Authority, confirmed that the Navy has been assessing the Ancestral Lands Commission property adjacent to the raceway, but said the Navy has not indicated if they plan on using the land.
“We did give permission to the Navy to conduct environmental studies as well as natural resources studies as part of their Environmental Impact Statement for the relocation of the Marines,” Cruz said.
“They’ve asked our permission to take a look at the characteristics of this property in order for them to include it in the Environmental Impact Statement. Federal law requires that they take a look at all possible alternatives and they’ve indicated to us that that’s what they intend to do, to look at this as a possible alternative for the relocation of the Marines,” he added.
Lorelei Crisostomo, director of the Guam Environmental Protection Agency, said the agency is not sure what the findings or implications of the EIS will be at the time of its expected release in January. However, she said the JGPO Draft Master Plan only addressed properties already under military control.
Oscar Calvo, chairman for the Chamorro Land Trust Commission, said that the commission has not been approached by the military concerning the use of CLTC lands, but confirmed that the military has requested permission to survey the lands.
“They are looking, but nothing concrete. It would be premature for me to say it’s true or not true because they haven’t really come forward to the Chamorro Land Trust,” he said. “We have authorized them to go up there and to survey and that’s about it. Other than that, we don’t have anything concrete on that issue.”
Calvo said he has been involved with several conversations with the governor regarding potential military requests for more land.
“First of all, we don’t really want to give them any more land,” he said. “I’ve posed this to the governor—why don’t they use their own land, like Andersen or there’s a lot of military compound here that is still not being utilized.”
Feds Ask Court to Dismiss Fitial Lawsuit
Feds ask court to dismiss Fitial lawsuit
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
By Gemma Q. Casas
Marianas Variety News Staff
THE U.S. Department of Justice is asking the federal court in the nation’s capital to dismiss the Fitial administration’s federalization lawsuit, saying the governor’s arguments are “speculative and hypothetical.”
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Sept. 12.
Theodore W. Atkinson, a trial attorney of the District Court Section of the Office of Immigration Litigation under the U.S. Department of Justice, argued in his four-page motion that there is no basis for the federal court to address the speculated disastrous impact of the federalization law.
“The action should be dismissed for four reasons: 1) the CNMI lacks standing to bring this action because the injuries alleged by the CNMI are not ‘concrete and particularized’ but are instead speculative and hypothetical; 2) even if the alleged harms are not speculative, the injuries alleged are too remote for the court to adequately address them at this time and thus the action is not ripe,” Atkinson stated.
He added: “The governor of the CNMI lacks standing to bring this action on behalf of the CNMI because he cannot show that he has protected ‘procedural interest’ that confers standing on him to bring this action; and 4) even if the CNMI has met its constitutional standing requirements, the action should be dismissed because the Covenant generally permits Congress to apply federal law to the CNMI and expressly and unambiguously permits Congress to apply the immigration and naturalization laws of the United States to the CNMI.”
Atkinson also submitted to the federal court 65 pages of memorandum of points and authorities to substantiate the DOJ’s position on the lawsuit which named as defendants Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Labor Secretary Elaine Chao in their official capacities.
The governor’s lawyers have up to Jan. 16, 2009 to file a reply.
According to his lawsuit, the federalization law will be disastrous to the local economy, which is heavily dependent on cheap foreign workers.
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
By Gemma Q. Casas
Marianas Variety News Staff
THE U.S. Department of Justice is asking the federal court in the nation’s capital to dismiss the Fitial administration’s federalization lawsuit, saying the governor’s arguments are “speculative and hypothetical.”
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Sept. 12.
Theodore W. Atkinson, a trial attorney of the District Court Section of the Office of Immigration Litigation under the U.S. Department of Justice, argued in his four-page motion that there is no basis for the federal court to address the speculated disastrous impact of the federalization law.
“The action should be dismissed for four reasons: 1) the CNMI lacks standing to bring this action because the injuries alleged by the CNMI are not ‘concrete and particularized’ but are instead speculative and hypothetical; 2) even if the alleged harms are not speculative, the injuries alleged are too remote for the court to adequately address them at this time and thus the action is not ripe,” Atkinson stated.
He added: “The governor of the CNMI lacks standing to bring this action on behalf of the CNMI because he cannot show that he has protected ‘procedural interest’ that confers standing on him to bring this action; and 4) even if the CNMI has met its constitutional standing requirements, the action should be dismissed because the Covenant generally permits Congress to apply federal law to the CNMI and expressly and unambiguously permits Congress to apply the immigration and naturalization laws of the United States to the CNMI.”
Atkinson also submitted to the federal court 65 pages of memorandum of points and authorities to substantiate the DOJ’s position on the lawsuit which named as defendants Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Labor Secretary Elaine Chao in their official capacities.
The governor’s lawyers have up to Jan. 16, 2009 to file a reply.
According to his lawsuit, the federalization law will be disastrous to the local economy, which is heavily dependent on cheap foreign workers.
A Look at Layon
A Look at Layon
By John Davis
Published Dec 16, 2008
KUAM News
A group of local contractors with their eye on the prize for winning the bid for beginning stages of construction to be done at Layon, Inarajan got their potential moneys worth today by embarking on a three-mile hike through the area. TG Engineers president Tor Gudmundsen gave contractors an outline of where the road, landfill cells and earthwork will be done.
"We hiked over to this corner, the southwest corner of Cell 1, so that they could see the full site of the area that would be worked on for cells 1 and 2 and again this operation road alignment," explained Gudmundsen. He demonstrated how just outside of Cell 1 will lie Pond 3A, a storm drainage basin, that will act as a monitoring point and catch drainage and runoff, which will assist in eliminating further environmental impacts to the area.
Gudmundsen says as the landfill expands based on future needs, other basins will be built around future cells. "We've studied how the rainfall runoff discharges from the site now in it's natural condition," he continued, "and we want it to runoff and discharge in a very similar fashion as the site is developed so that we don't really change the discharge of storm water around the site perimeter."
Speaking of the need for future expansion, Layon will be able to hold more than just a pair of cells for solid waste disposal. The site actually provides for 11 cells to be constructed over the landfills projected 41-year lifespan.
But with no commitment from the federal government as to whether it will be a customer of GovGuam, Gudmundsen says although there's plenty of space at Layon for Uncle Sam's trash, the capacity plan might have to undergo some adjustments. "The sizing is based on information from 2004 and 2005 and that was before the military buildup was announced and we worked out a 41 years site capacity plan so that's subject to change now as the trash from the buildup and the Air Force and others might be also coming here," he told KUAM News.
Although we overheard certain contractors stating they might have some trouble submitting bids for the project within a short amount of time, those interested have until January 8 to submit their proposals.
Meanwhile, another field trip for interested bidders will be conducted next week.
By John Davis
Published Dec 16, 2008
KUAM News
A group of local contractors with their eye on the prize for winning the bid for beginning stages of construction to be done at Layon, Inarajan got their potential moneys worth today by embarking on a three-mile hike through the area. TG Engineers president Tor Gudmundsen gave contractors an outline of where the road, landfill cells and earthwork will be done.
"We hiked over to this corner, the southwest corner of Cell 1, so that they could see the full site of the area that would be worked on for cells 1 and 2 and again this operation road alignment," explained Gudmundsen. He demonstrated how just outside of Cell 1 will lie Pond 3A, a storm drainage basin, that will act as a monitoring point and catch drainage and runoff, which will assist in eliminating further environmental impacts to the area.
Gudmundsen says as the landfill expands based on future needs, other basins will be built around future cells. "We've studied how the rainfall runoff discharges from the site now in it's natural condition," he continued, "and we want it to runoff and discharge in a very similar fashion as the site is developed so that we don't really change the discharge of storm water around the site perimeter."
Speaking of the need for future expansion, Layon will be able to hold more than just a pair of cells for solid waste disposal. The site actually provides for 11 cells to be constructed over the landfills projected 41-year lifespan.
But with no commitment from the federal government as to whether it will be a customer of GovGuam, Gudmundsen says although there's plenty of space at Layon for Uncle Sam's trash, the capacity plan might have to undergo some adjustments. "The sizing is based on information from 2004 and 2005 and that was before the military buildup was announced and we worked out a 41 years site capacity plan so that's subject to change now as the trash from the buildup and the Air Force and others might be also coming here," he told KUAM News.
Although we overheard certain contractors stating they might have some trouble submitting bids for the project within a short amount of time, those interested have until January 8 to submit their proposals.
Meanwhile, another field trip for interested bidders will be conducted next week.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Governor Optimistic About $20 Million Landfill Loan
Governor confident: Camacho upbeat on $20M landfill loan
By Dionesis Tamondong
Pacific Daily News
December 17, 2008
One local bank official said his bank is just not interested in lending the government $20 million for landfill construction. Another lender said it would consider the proposal if the repayment sources were more concrete.
With less than a week before the federal deadline for responses, the Camacho administration is sure some lending institutions will submit proposals to finance the Ordot dump closure and landfill construction projects.
"We remain confident that we will be able to secure the financing," said George Bamba, Gov. Felix Camacho's chief of staff. The government of Guam must deposit $20 million by Jan. 5, or some officials could face legal action from the federal government.
The Guam Economic Development and Commerce Authority has issued a request for proposals for financiers to lend GovGuam the money for the start-up projects.
BankPacific President Phil Flores said his bank won't respond to the financing request. "We're not interested. We're just not going to bid on this one."
While Flores didn't provide a specific reason for not responding to GovGuam's proposal, he said there's too much confusion over the dump situation.
"Is the Legislature wanting to build in Layon or to give the contract to (Guam Resource Recovery Partners)?" Flores asked. "So if you're lending money for a new landfill, there's always the concern that it's not going to be built."
Several lawmakers disagree with the local government's selection of Dandan, Inarajan, as the landfill site, arguing it is a potential freshwater source and is too remote for efficient use as a landfill. Senators passed a measure last month pushing for development of a privately operated landfill in the Guatali area of Piti and Santa Rita, on land being leased by GRRP, saying it is friendlier to the environment and less costly than floating bonds to develop the Inarajan site.
Pete Sgro Jr., co-counsel to Barclay's Capital, said his firm would be interested only if the repayment terms were solidified with Section 30 funds as collateral for the loan. Barclay's Capital is a division of Barclay's Bank, which has offices worldwide.
"We are seriously considering submitting a response, and if we do so, however, the response will contain terms that would include not continuing with a subordination of the Section 30 money," Sgro said. "Otherwise there is no value in the collateral."
Sgro said lawmakers made "damaging amendments" to the governor's original short-term borrowing bill.
The administration had pledged Section 30 money -- taxes paid by federal and military employees on Guam and remitted to GovGuam --to pay back the $20 million.
But lawmakers instead required tipping fees be used as the main repayment source, and a variety of funding sources -- including compact-impact money, Section 30 money and the General Fund -- as additional security, Sen. Ben Pangelinan said.
By doing so, Section 30 funds could continue to be used for other obligations, such as the overdue tax refunds and COLA payments.
"These payments are also ordered by the court and on par with the landfill issue," Pangelinan said.
Pangelinan said the amendments were made in consultation with the administration's fiscal policy team after lawmakers realized there wasn't enough support to pass the governor's original bill.
Sgro said lawmakers should go back and approve the original version of the governor's bill, which is in line with the intent of the federal receiver and the District Court of Guam.
"How can anyone ignore the consistent position taken by (Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-) Gatewood and create an amendment that will not accomplish the necessary financing because of the vagueness and lack of value of the collateral created by an amendment?" Sgro asked.
By Dionesis Tamondong
Pacific Daily News
December 17, 2008
One local bank official said his bank is just not interested in lending the government $20 million for landfill construction. Another lender said it would consider the proposal if the repayment sources were more concrete.
With less than a week before the federal deadline for responses, the Camacho administration is sure some lending institutions will submit proposals to finance the Ordot dump closure and landfill construction projects.
"We remain confident that we will be able to secure the financing," said George Bamba, Gov. Felix Camacho's chief of staff. The government of Guam must deposit $20 million by Jan. 5, or some officials could face legal action from the federal government.
The Guam Economic Development and Commerce Authority has issued a request for proposals for financiers to lend GovGuam the money for the start-up projects.
BankPacific President Phil Flores said his bank won't respond to the financing request. "We're not interested. We're just not going to bid on this one."
While Flores didn't provide a specific reason for not responding to GovGuam's proposal, he said there's too much confusion over the dump situation.
"Is the Legislature wanting to build in Layon or to give the contract to (Guam Resource Recovery Partners)?" Flores asked. "So if you're lending money for a new landfill, there's always the concern that it's not going to be built."
Several lawmakers disagree with the local government's selection of Dandan, Inarajan, as the landfill site, arguing it is a potential freshwater source and is too remote for efficient use as a landfill. Senators passed a measure last month pushing for development of a privately operated landfill in the Guatali area of Piti and Santa Rita, on land being leased by GRRP, saying it is friendlier to the environment and less costly than floating bonds to develop the Inarajan site.
Pete Sgro Jr., co-counsel to Barclay's Capital, said his firm would be interested only if the repayment terms were solidified with Section 30 funds as collateral for the loan. Barclay's Capital is a division of Barclay's Bank, which has offices worldwide.
"We are seriously considering submitting a response, and if we do so, however, the response will contain terms that would include not continuing with a subordination of the Section 30 money," Sgro said. "Otherwise there is no value in the collateral."
Sgro said lawmakers made "damaging amendments" to the governor's original short-term borrowing bill.
The administration had pledged Section 30 money -- taxes paid by federal and military employees on Guam and remitted to GovGuam --to pay back the $20 million.
But lawmakers instead required tipping fees be used as the main repayment source, and a variety of funding sources -- including compact-impact money, Section 30 money and the General Fund -- as additional security, Sen. Ben Pangelinan said.
By doing so, Section 30 funds could continue to be used for other obligations, such as the overdue tax refunds and COLA payments.
"These payments are also ordered by the court and on par with the landfill issue," Pangelinan said.
Pangelinan said the amendments were made in consultation with the administration's fiscal policy team after lawmakers realized there wasn't enough support to pass the governor's original bill.
Sgro said lawmakers should go back and approve the original version of the governor's bill, which is in line with the intent of the federal receiver and the District Court of Guam.
"How can anyone ignore the consistent position taken by (Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-) Gatewood and create an amendment that will not accomplish the necessary financing because of the vagueness and lack of value of the collateral created by an amendment?" Sgro asked.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
NOHO HEWA TRAILER
Itʻs a documentary that focuses on the illegal occupation of Hawaiʻi via U.S. militarism, laws, economy and desecration; it also highlights critical analysis of the Akaka Bill.
Bush pushes for marine reserves
By PETER N. SPOTTS
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
In its waning weeks, the Bush administration is sorting through options that could lead to the largest marine conservation reserves in United States history.
At issue: Proposals to protect at least one of two vast reaches of ocean that host some of the most pristine coral-reef and under-sea mountain ecosystems in the Pacific. One candidate, a loose cluster of islands and atolls in the central Pacific called the Line Islands, covers a patch of ocean larger than Mexico. The other, a section of the Northern Mariana Islands, is larger than Arizona.
The administration has been heavily criticized for its stance on environmental issues such as global warming and for its last-minute efforts to ease some environmental regulations. So its interest in a bold marine-conservation move may seem surprising. But the president “has had a strong interest in the health of the oceans,” says Dennis Heinemann, a senior vice president with Ocean Conservancy, a marine-conservation group in Washington.
In 2006, President Bush established a vast marine reserve along the northwest Hawaiian Islands, the Papahanaumokuakea National Marine Monument. The monument spans an area larger than all of the country's national parks combined.
It's unclear at the moment whether the White House will take the same regulatory approach now. Mr. Bush could establish vast no-take zones, perhaps with exceptions to allow indigenous people to fish there. Or, he could merely endorse the concept of preserving these areas and punt the decision to the incoming Obama administration.
Still, hopes are high that Bush will grant full protection to these areas. “The condition of the oceans is degrading, and it's really been degrading for coral reefs. It's important to preserve these last few relatively untouched parts of the ocean,” Dr. Heinemann says.
The latest effort builds on the 2006 Hawaii designation, says Jay Nelson, who heads the global ocean legacy program at the Pew Environment Group in Washington. Following that designation, the White House asked federal agencies, nongovernment groups, and the research community for more candidates. These included deep-sea coral networks off the US Southeast Coast and a proposal to establish a string of marine protected areas along the continental shelf from Florida to Belize.
In the end, the Marianas and Line Islands were the last candidates standing.
The islands, atolls, and seamounts that would be conserved are remote. But they may also represent unique opportunities for research. In addition to its reefs, a northern Marianas reserve would include a section of the Marianas Trench, formed by the collision of two plates of the Earth's crust and home to the deepest spot on the seafloor. The area hosts 19 species of whales and dolphins. Life thrives in the extreme environments around hydrothermal vents. The seascape includes enormous mud volcanoes and pools of boiling sulfur.
The Line Islands, meanwhile, are feeding stations for migratory fish with an unexpected twist on the traditional food pyramid. “It's an amazing inverted pyramid design,” in which most living organisms sit atop the food chain instead of at the bottom, says Nancy Knowlton, a marine scientist with the Smithsonian Institution Museum of Natural History. Although organisms lower on the food chain are fewer, they reproduce more quickly and so can support a relatively large number of diners. The system gives researchers a good baseline to understand what coral-reef systems used to look like, she says.
The Line Islands also serve as a way station for 21 species of migratory birds and some 19 species of seabird, who come to feed as large fish on a feeding frenzy drive their prey to the surface. “This shows a direct ecological connection between land and sea,” notes William Chandler, vice president for government affairs at the Marine Conservation Biology Institute office in Washington.
The effort is drawing support from the tourist industry, who see the region's reefs as an asset that needs to be safeguarded, as well as from conservation groups and marine scientists.
But the proposal has generated its share of concerns. Some supporters worry that conservation measures won't be tight enough.
Meanwhile, locals have expressed concerns that restrictions will be too tight. Indigenous people in American Samoa and the Marianas were concerned they would be banned from fishing and other traditional practices. There are other worries about Washington impinging on undersea mining projects for minerals on the seafloor off the Marianas Trench. These local concerns are being addressed, says James Connaughton, head of the president's Council on Environmental Quality.
“There are a lot of people who are not quite sure what we might or might not do who are envisioning the worst from their particular perspective,” he says. The assessment team were able to reassure many people that the worst won't happen.
One concern shared by local fishermen and US Pentagon officials centered on navigation rights through any proposed reserve, particularly around the Marianas. But the president's directive to assess the potential marine reserve sites reaffirmed these navigation rights.
The White House faces a deadline of Inauguration Day next month for making any decision on the reserves. But many conservationists say they hope a decision comes by the end of the year.
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
In its waning weeks, the Bush administration is sorting through options that could lead to the largest marine conservation reserves in United States history.
At issue: Proposals to protect at least one of two vast reaches of ocean that host some of the most pristine coral-reef and under-sea mountain ecosystems in the Pacific. One candidate, a loose cluster of islands and atolls in the central Pacific called the Line Islands, covers a patch of ocean larger than Mexico. The other, a section of the Northern Mariana Islands, is larger than Arizona.
The administration has been heavily criticized for its stance on environmental issues such as global warming and for its last-minute efforts to ease some environmental regulations. So its interest in a bold marine-conservation move may seem surprising. But the president “has had a strong interest in the health of the oceans,” says Dennis Heinemann, a senior vice president with Ocean Conservancy, a marine-conservation group in Washington.
In 2006, President Bush established a vast marine reserve along the northwest Hawaiian Islands, the Papahanaumokuakea National Marine Monument. The monument spans an area larger than all of the country's national parks combined.
It's unclear at the moment whether the White House will take the same regulatory approach now. Mr. Bush could establish vast no-take zones, perhaps with exceptions to allow indigenous people to fish there. Or, he could merely endorse the concept of preserving these areas and punt the decision to the incoming Obama administration.
Still, hopes are high that Bush will grant full protection to these areas. “The condition of the oceans is degrading, and it's really been degrading for coral reefs. It's important to preserve these last few relatively untouched parts of the ocean,” Dr. Heinemann says.
The latest effort builds on the 2006 Hawaii designation, says Jay Nelson, who heads the global ocean legacy program at the Pew Environment Group in Washington. Following that designation, the White House asked federal agencies, nongovernment groups, and the research community for more candidates. These included deep-sea coral networks off the US Southeast Coast and a proposal to establish a string of marine protected areas along the continental shelf from Florida to Belize.
In the end, the Marianas and Line Islands were the last candidates standing.
The islands, atolls, and seamounts that would be conserved are remote. But they may also represent unique opportunities for research. In addition to its reefs, a northern Marianas reserve would include a section of the Marianas Trench, formed by the collision of two plates of the Earth's crust and home to the deepest spot on the seafloor. The area hosts 19 species of whales and dolphins. Life thrives in the extreme environments around hydrothermal vents. The seascape includes enormous mud volcanoes and pools of boiling sulfur.
The Line Islands, meanwhile, are feeding stations for migratory fish with an unexpected twist on the traditional food pyramid. “It's an amazing inverted pyramid design,” in which most living organisms sit atop the food chain instead of at the bottom, says Nancy Knowlton, a marine scientist with the Smithsonian Institution Museum of Natural History. Although organisms lower on the food chain are fewer, they reproduce more quickly and so can support a relatively large number of diners. The system gives researchers a good baseline to understand what coral-reef systems used to look like, she says.
The Line Islands also serve as a way station for 21 species of migratory birds and some 19 species of seabird, who come to feed as large fish on a feeding frenzy drive their prey to the surface. “This shows a direct ecological connection between land and sea,” notes William Chandler, vice president for government affairs at the Marine Conservation Biology Institute office in Washington.
The effort is drawing support from the tourist industry, who see the region's reefs as an asset that needs to be safeguarded, as well as from conservation groups and marine scientists.
But the proposal has generated its share of concerns. Some supporters worry that conservation measures won't be tight enough.
Meanwhile, locals have expressed concerns that restrictions will be too tight. Indigenous people in American Samoa and the Marianas were concerned they would be banned from fishing and other traditional practices. There are other worries about Washington impinging on undersea mining projects for minerals on the seafloor off the Marianas Trench. These local concerns are being addressed, says James Connaughton, head of the president's Council on Environmental Quality.
“There are a lot of people who are not quite sure what we might or might not do who are envisioning the worst from their particular perspective,” he says. The assessment team were able to reassure many people that the worst won't happen.
One concern shared by local fishermen and US Pentagon officials centered on navigation rights through any proposed reserve, particularly around the Marianas. But the president's directive to assess the potential marine reserve sites reaffirmed these navigation rights.
The White House faces a deadline of Inauguration Day next month for making any decision on the reserves. But many conservationists say they hope a decision comes by the end of the year.
CLTC property eyed for military buildup
By Clynt Ridgell
Published Dec 8, 2008
There's evidence of what land the military may be looking at for use with the military buildup. On Friday Governor Felix Camacho blasted the Department of Defense, the Joint Guam Program Office, and the federal government as a whole for not letting Guam leaders in on the various plans for the Guam buildup. The governor said he believes that the feds expect to use Government of Guam land, more specifically Chamorro Land Trust Commission parcels.
CLTC Administrator Joe Borja said he hasn't received an official request by the military for the potential use of CLTC property but he does have an idea of properties that federal officials may be looking to use as part of the military buildup. "The military, I believe, does have enough land for what they want to do, enough acreage but I don't believe they're in the right places so purely for planning purposes we're looking for some areas that they might be interested in," Borja said.
The administrator pointed KUAM to three areas that he believes the military may be considering. Based on his conclusions on properties that would make logical sense for military use, Borja said he expects the military will want property that they used to own after the Korean War and property that is in a large enough unused area away from residents and businesses.
Borja believes a piece of property near the NCTAMS area is a prime example of property the military would be looking at using. While the Navy owns property to the North and South of former Crown land which is now under the Ancestral Lands Commission, he said it would make sense for the military to utilize the Crown land along the northwest which is roughly around 600 acres.
Borja noted though that it's not the biggest piece of land the military may be considering. "The military through their contractor sub contractor did ask for permission to conduct a superficial survey of properties up north to see, you know, what the conditions of the property up North are, but there's been no real formal request other than their request for access to do superficial survey of properties up in the northeastern part of Guam," he stated.
The property Borja is referring to lies along with eastern coast of Guam in Land Trust property that runs from the Marbo Cave area, past the 76/Circle K Guam Raceway Park. Raceway Park owner Henry Simpson said he's actually heard similar rumors for quite some time now. "Just recently it became kind of a little bit more than a rumor as they've hired engineers and various people to go out... They're measuring how many plants and animals and things on the property so it seems like they're becoming more serious about it," Simpson explained. He said although they've begun surveying the property around the raceway park, he, too, has yet to receive any official word.
"I'm not anti-military by any means but it seems like they don't need to play their cards that close to their chest they could let the community know that they want that property give us time to plan for other areas or give us some kind of an idea you know if their gonna replace what we've built out there it would be very discouraging to see that much time and effort go to waste and all the people that have been involved in it so that bothers us," Simpson said.
The area, according to Borja, is roughly around 2,000 acres but it's not the only CLTC land this size that the military is surveying. Borja said they've also begun surveying land in the South that lies adjacent to Naval Magazine and Fena Lake. This property is mostly in the village of Talofofo and is roughly around what's known as the Babulao area. It too is roughly 2,000 acres so although it is by no means official, the military is surveying large amounts of CLTC property in the South and North.
Published Dec 8, 2008
There's evidence of what land the military may be looking at for use with the military buildup. On Friday Governor Felix Camacho blasted the Department of Defense, the Joint Guam Program Office, and the federal government as a whole for not letting Guam leaders in on the various plans for the Guam buildup. The governor said he believes that the feds expect to use Government of Guam land, more specifically Chamorro Land Trust Commission parcels.
CLTC Administrator Joe Borja said he hasn't received an official request by the military for the potential use of CLTC property but he does have an idea of properties that federal officials may be looking to use as part of the military buildup. "The military, I believe, does have enough land for what they want to do, enough acreage but I don't believe they're in the right places so purely for planning purposes we're looking for some areas that they might be interested in," Borja said.
The administrator pointed KUAM to three areas that he believes the military may be considering. Based on his conclusions on properties that would make logical sense for military use, Borja said he expects the military will want property that they used to own after the Korean War and property that is in a large enough unused area away from residents and businesses.
Borja believes a piece of property near the NCTAMS area is a prime example of property the military would be looking at using. While the Navy owns property to the North and South of former Crown land which is now under the Ancestral Lands Commission, he said it would make sense for the military to utilize the Crown land along the northwest which is roughly around 600 acres.
Borja noted though that it's not the biggest piece of land the military may be considering. "The military through their contractor sub contractor did ask for permission to conduct a superficial survey of properties up north to see, you know, what the conditions of the property up North are, but there's been no real formal request other than their request for access to do superficial survey of properties up in the northeastern part of Guam," he stated.
The property Borja is referring to lies along with eastern coast of Guam in Land Trust property that runs from the Marbo Cave area, past the 76/Circle K Guam Raceway Park. Raceway Park owner Henry Simpson said he's actually heard similar rumors for quite some time now. "Just recently it became kind of a little bit more than a rumor as they've hired engineers and various people to go out... They're measuring how many plants and animals and things on the property so it seems like they're becoming more serious about it," Simpson explained. He said although they've begun surveying the property around the raceway park, he, too, has yet to receive any official word.
"I'm not anti-military by any means but it seems like they don't need to play their cards that close to their chest they could let the community know that they want that property give us time to plan for other areas or give us some kind of an idea you know if their gonna replace what we've built out there it would be very discouraging to see that much time and effort go to waste and all the people that have been involved in it so that bothers us," Simpson said.
The area, according to Borja, is roughly around 2,000 acres but it's not the only CLTC land this size that the military is surveying. Borja said they've also begun surveying land in the South that lies adjacent to Naval Magazine and Fena Lake. This property is mostly in the village of Talofofo and is roughly around what's known as the Babulao area. It too is roughly 2,000 acres so although it is by no means official, the military is surveying large amounts of CLTC property in the South and North.
Camacho talking tougher than ever about DoD
By Clynt Ridgell
Published Dec 9, 2008
Governor Felix Camacho and a couple of senators commented on what they thought about the U.S. military's plans to lease Government of Guam land. Last week Governor Camacho was critical of the way the U.S. Department of Defense has been handling the military buildup on Guam and now in light of the recent announcement that the military will need more land for the buildup the governor is even more critical.
"I believe that before the people of Guam should give up anymore of our assets, our property, our land, our territory," said the chief executive. "There's going to be some give back we have seen nothing in the way of concrete help to this government."
Senator Frank Blas, Jr. (R), like the governor, is wondering why DoD is changing its tune after repeatedly telling the public that they wouldn't need any additional lands. "I'm a little leery of that I mean what more is in their plans what happened to the utilization of the lands that they have in their footprint more importantly too is what are they going to do with the lands that are still in their footprint, that they're not going be able to be utilized why can't they utilize it and if they're not going to utilize it is it going to be returned back to the government," he shared.
Democrat Senator Ben Pangelinan is also disappointed that the DoD is only now telling the public of their need for additional land. He told KUAM News, "I think the military has to know that it's no longer that the people of Guam that they're dealing with is no longer of that generation that has been grateful for the liberation from a brutal enemy there are actually people that look and see this as a re-occupation of Guam and the military to proceed in this manner that seems to be underhanded and cloaked in secrecy is doing nothing at all to advance their mission and their relationship with the civilian community."
The Department of Defense's relationship with the island's highest elected official too appears to be strained. "So here they are we're going to come to Guam," Governor Camacho continued. "We're going to build our base it's going to be a state of the art, we're spending between Air Force, Marines and possibly Army, $15 billion, but there's nothing for the people of Guam. This is strictly DoD money and we're saying, 'Listen, you're coming here, you're impacting us, you want more land and yet you give us nothing.'"
Published Dec 9, 2008
Governor Felix Camacho and a couple of senators commented on what they thought about the U.S. military's plans to lease Government of Guam land. Last week Governor Camacho was critical of the way the U.S. Department of Defense has been handling the military buildup on Guam and now in light of the recent announcement that the military will need more land for the buildup the governor is even more critical.
"I believe that before the people of Guam should give up anymore of our assets, our property, our land, our territory," said the chief executive. "There's going to be some give back we have seen nothing in the way of concrete help to this government."
Senator Frank Blas, Jr. (R), like the governor, is wondering why DoD is changing its tune after repeatedly telling the public that they wouldn't need any additional lands. "I'm a little leery of that I mean what more is in their plans what happened to the utilization of the lands that they have in their footprint more importantly too is what are they going to do with the lands that are still in their footprint, that they're not going be able to be utilized why can't they utilize it and if they're not going to utilize it is it going to be returned back to the government," he shared.
Democrat Senator Ben Pangelinan is also disappointed that the DoD is only now telling the public of their need for additional land. He told KUAM News, "I think the military has to know that it's no longer that the people of Guam that they're dealing with is no longer of that generation that has been grateful for the liberation from a brutal enemy there are actually people that look and see this as a re-occupation of Guam and the military to proceed in this manner that seems to be underhanded and cloaked in secrecy is doing nothing at all to advance their mission and their relationship with the civilian community."
The Department of Defense's relationship with the island's highest elected official too appears to be strained. "So here they are we're going to come to Guam," Governor Camacho continued. "We're going to build our base it's going to be a state of the art, we're spending between Air Force, Marines and possibly Army, $15 billion, but there's nothing for the people of Guam. This is strictly DoD money and we're saying, 'Listen, you're coming here, you're impacting us, you want more land and yet you give us nothing.'"
Puerto Ricans complain of US 'deadly legacy'
From most of the last century, the Puerto Rican Island of Vieques was used by the US navy as a practice bombing range. Five years after the navy left the island, there is evidence that decades of bombings have caused serious health problems for the residents of the island. Mariana Sanchez reports. June 06, 2008
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Fallen Soldier's Diary: Jonathan Santos
Fallen soldier's diary: Santos' words speak profoundly of life and war
By Brett Kelman
Pacific Daily News
December 6, 2008
Hunkered down in a desert and surrounded by killers, U.S. Army Spc. Jonathan Santos scribbled in a worn journal he'd carried since he flew into Iraq excited and woozy on Dramamine. He wrote about wanting to live so he could go on to accomplish "great" things.
"I will write the great American novel and get hired as a professor at a prestigious university," he wrote on Oct. 10, 2004. "But first I have to make it out of this war alive ... And I will go to college and move on to do great things with my life. Look out world. I'm almost free."
The 22-year-old Guam native recorded intimate details about his 38 days in Iraq -- both in the journal and in a video diary. He was killed on day 38.
A documentary titled "The Corporal's Diary" -- created from Santos' journal and home videos -- has made headlines nationwide. It includes details about his squad mates' and his family's struggle to cope with their loss.
Yesterday, Santos' mother, Doris Pangelinan Kent, said she always keeps a copy of her son's journal by her side, so that when she misses her son, she can hear him.
"For those of us who know Jonathan, you can hear his voice in what he wrote and hear everything he hoped to do," she said. "I know it was a dream of Jonathan's to go back to Guam. He wanted to go. And so I want for the film to come to Guam so people can see who they can be proud of. Jonathan has given us so much to be proud of as a people."
Santos most recently lived in Guam from 1992 to 1997, between his father's tours of duty in Germany. He graduated from Piti Middle School in 1997, Kent wrote in an e-mail.
Santos' father, Staff Sgt. Les Santos is in active duty in the Guam Army Reserves.
Santos was recruited into the Army out of high school in 2001. He was deployed to Haiti on a mission of peace, Kent said. He was shifted from Haiti to Fort Bragg in North Carolina for training before heading to Iraq in 2004.
On some pages of his journal, Santos' tall looping letters spill into the margins of the pages. He cursed. He left exclamation points everywhere. And when he felt strongly about something, he capitalized everything.
After his layover in Germany, Santos poured jokes, musings and fears into his journal. He wrote daily right up to the end -- 38 days, 37 pages -- and injected his humor into every page.
"Tomorrow is the first day of Ramidon, the Muslim equivalent of Lent, or equive-Lent," Santos wrote in his journal on Oct. 14, 2004. The following day he was killed.
His family now lives in Bellingham, Wash., a coastal town about 50 miles south of the Canadian border. Kent and her two other sons live in a house coated with photos of their fallen hero.
Kent said without Justin and Jared, she would be lost.
"If it wasn't for them, I wanted to die, you know. I missed Jonathan so much," Kent said yesterday. "I miss him every day."
Santos became the seventh son of Micronesia to die in the War on Terror when a suicide bomber attacked a military vehicle and killed him and two others on Oct. 15, 2004.
His story is reminiscent of other fallen soldiers. He was young and aspiring. He went to fight a war in a faraway place, and he didn't come back. He missed home and home still misses him.
But unlike so many other soldiers' stories, Santos' has been preserved.
It was at that Bellingham home where Kent received Santos' military trunk containing the belongings he left behind when he died. Inside were his gear, books, his combat boots -- and his memories.
"I had never known Jonathan to keep a journal," Kent said yesterday. "I had anticipated the video cassettes and a video camera coming back. He had just bought it and he took it everywhere and videotaped everything in his life. He was just so enamored with it, I knew the tapes would be there. But when I went through the box, I found the little book."
Santos' journal comes packed with details about his deployment. His brother narrated the documentary by reading the journal over footage from Santos' camera. Together they paint a picture of an undeniably likable young man.
He was a bit of a goof. He liked video games, movies and boozy birthday parties. When the barracuda eats all the clownfish in beginning of "Finding Nemo," Santos gets angry. And like many people, he read "The DaVinci Code" in two days. It was the last book he finished, according to his journal.
Theater showings of the documentary sold out in Santos' home town when the movie was released in October, according to the Bellingham Herald. The film made waves in the nearby city of Seattle.
On Nov. 27, Good Morning America profiled the documentary and its story about Santos and another soldier, Pfc. Matthew Drake, whom he befriended in Iraq. Drake survived the attack that killed Santos, but was left physically and mentally disabled.
In the aftermath of her son's death, Kent reached out to the soldier who lived. Kent said she met with Drake and his mother so they could bond over their sons' friendship. She found Drake on a long road to recovery, with his mother suffering from survivors' guilt. When they parted, everyone had healed a little, she said.
This year was especially hard, Kent said, because as the U.S. presidential election dragged on, the deadly war in Iraq was always under debate. The casualties on the nightly news were a constant reminder of her son. She feels each loss as if it were her own.
"Every day was like reliving Jonathan being killed again and again and realizing that other mothers were hearing it for the first time that their son was gone. It was just relentless," she said, sobbing a little.
By Brett Kelman
Pacific Daily News
December 6, 2008
Hunkered down in a desert and surrounded by killers, U.S. Army Spc. Jonathan Santos scribbled in a worn journal he'd carried since he flew into Iraq excited and woozy on Dramamine. He wrote about wanting to live so he could go on to accomplish "great" things.
"I will write the great American novel and get hired as a professor at a prestigious university," he wrote on Oct. 10, 2004. "But first I have to make it out of this war alive ... And I will go to college and move on to do great things with my life. Look out world. I'm almost free."
The 22-year-old Guam native recorded intimate details about his 38 days in Iraq -- both in the journal and in a video diary. He was killed on day 38.
A documentary titled "The Corporal's Diary" -- created from Santos' journal and home videos -- has made headlines nationwide. It includes details about his squad mates' and his family's struggle to cope with their loss.
Yesterday, Santos' mother, Doris Pangelinan Kent, said she always keeps a copy of her son's journal by her side, so that when she misses her son, she can hear him.
"For those of us who know Jonathan, you can hear his voice in what he wrote and hear everything he hoped to do," she said. "I know it was a dream of Jonathan's to go back to Guam. He wanted to go. And so I want for the film to come to Guam so people can see who they can be proud of. Jonathan has given us so much to be proud of as a people."
Santos most recently lived in Guam from 1992 to 1997, between his father's tours of duty in Germany. He graduated from Piti Middle School in 1997, Kent wrote in an e-mail.
Santos' father, Staff Sgt. Les Santos is in active duty in the Guam Army Reserves.
Santos was recruited into the Army out of high school in 2001. He was deployed to Haiti on a mission of peace, Kent said. He was shifted from Haiti to Fort Bragg in North Carolina for training before heading to Iraq in 2004.
On some pages of his journal, Santos' tall looping letters spill into the margins of the pages. He cursed. He left exclamation points everywhere. And when he felt strongly about something, he capitalized everything.
After his layover in Germany, Santos poured jokes, musings and fears into his journal. He wrote daily right up to the end -- 38 days, 37 pages -- and injected his humor into every page.
"Tomorrow is the first day of Ramidon, the Muslim equivalent of Lent, or equive-Lent," Santos wrote in his journal on Oct. 14, 2004. The following day he was killed.
His family now lives in Bellingham, Wash., a coastal town about 50 miles south of the Canadian border. Kent and her two other sons live in a house coated with photos of their fallen hero.
Kent said without Justin and Jared, she would be lost.
"If it wasn't for them, I wanted to die, you know. I missed Jonathan so much," Kent said yesterday. "I miss him every day."
Santos became the seventh son of Micronesia to die in the War on Terror when a suicide bomber attacked a military vehicle and killed him and two others on Oct. 15, 2004.
His story is reminiscent of other fallen soldiers. He was young and aspiring. He went to fight a war in a faraway place, and he didn't come back. He missed home and home still misses him.
But unlike so many other soldiers' stories, Santos' has been preserved.
It was at that Bellingham home where Kent received Santos' military trunk containing the belongings he left behind when he died. Inside were his gear, books, his combat boots -- and his memories.
"I had never known Jonathan to keep a journal," Kent said yesterday. "I had anticipated the video cassettes and a video camera coming back. He had just bought it and he took it everywhere and videotaped everything in his life. He was just so enamored with it, I knew the tapes would be there. But when I went through the box, I found the little book."
Santos' journal comes packed with details about his deployment. His brother narrated the documentary by reading the journal over footage from Santos' camera. Together they paint a picture of an undeniably likable young man.
He was a bit of a goof. He liked video games, movies and boozy birthday parties. When the barracuda eats all the clownfish in beginning of "Finding Nemo," Santos gets angry. And like many people, he read "The DaVinci Code" in two days. It was the last book he finished, according to his journal.
Theater showings of the documentary sold out in Santos' home town when the movie was released in October, according to the Bellingham Herald. The film made waves in the nearby city of Seattle.
On Nov. 27, Good Morning America profiled the documentary and its story about Santos and another soldier, Pfc. Matthew Drake, whom he befriended in Iraq. Drake survived the attack that killed Santos, but was left physically and mentally disabled.
In the aftermath of her son's death, Kent reached out to the soldier who lived. Kent said she met with Drake and his mother so they could bond over their sons' friendship. She found Drake on a long road to recovery, with his mother suffering from survivors' guilt. When they parted, everyone had healed a little, she said.
This year was especially hard, Kent said, because as the U.S. presidential election dragged on, the deadly war in Iraq was always under debate. The casualties on the nightly news were a constant reminder of her son. She feels each loss as if it were her own.
"Every day was like reliving Jonathan being killed again and again and realizing that other mothers were hearing it for the first time that their son was gone. It was just relentless," she said, sobbing a little.
DOD Wants CLT Property
DoD eyeing Chamorro Land Trust property
KUAM News
By Clynt Ridgell
12/6/08
While most of the island is not a party to the specifics regarding the U.S. Department of Defense's plans to buildup the military on Guam, it's apparent now that the governor too has been left in the dark. In an interview with KUAM News Felix Camacho revealed a major decision being crafted without the input of Guam's highest elected leader.
What's even more disturbing is that this decision involves land.
Governor Camacho is making it clear that he and the people of Guam need a seat at the table when the feds plan the immense military buildup that will bring an estimated 40,000 new people to the island. "As decisions are made, we are simply advised of it not consultedm" he shared. One of these decisions that has sparked the governor to speak out is related to a very touchy subject on Guam.
He continued, "The question was asked will there be sufficient lands for this endeavor. They said, 'Absolutely, we have enough land in our inventory and within our footprint on Guam to make this a success'. I believe decisions are now being made that they need to acquire more land and this would have to be to accommodate the firing range."
The DoD and the Joint Guam Program Office officials have all said repeatedly that they would not need additional lands for the buildup the governor now says they are eyeing some Government of Guam property that is supposed to be used by the island's indigenous people.
"They would like to consolidate their property up north and have one contiguous operation we certainly have lands in between that that are Chamorro Land Trust lands," said Camacho.
The governor further says that he wants to protect the assets of the people, adding that giving additional land to the feds is something that shouldn't be done without first consulting the people. But it's not only the land issue that the governor has a problem with he's concerned about the lack of funding needed to beef up the island's infrastructure. "Guam does not have the resources nor do we have the capacity either financially or personally to build our infrastructure to the level that we must," he told KUAM News.
This need for a rapid buildup of infrastructure is due to the rapid buildup of the military one in which our population will also rapidly increase by over 20%. The governor says although the feds have instructed GovGuam to get with different federal agencies like the EPA, the Federal Highway Administration, the Department of Transportation and others. Only one of them have offered a helping hand.
"We have gone to Office of Management and Budget; we have made our case we've requested for monies in 2010. I've not seen anything come out of it. In fact, the only agency that came to bat for us is the Department of the Interior, which requested roughly $168 million, but every other agency failed to do so."
The governor says he understands that this buildup may be the way that DoD operates, but he also says that if they want to maintain goodwill, Guam needs a voice. "We as an unincorporated territory with no voice and no vote in Congress would be first on the chopping block when it comes to budget," Camacho said. "So where is the support for Guam where is this commitment other than verbal?"
Camacho still believes that this move can be beneficial to Guam it's just a matter of getting the finances necessary to ensure that the island's people are not overburdened. "There's a change in administration. I'm hoping there will be a change in leadership. I think that JGPO, however well intentioned they, are doesn't have enough fire power to get this thing going," the governor concluded. "I don't believe they have enough resources committed to it because it is a major initiative it is a major undertaking and between the DoD and all the other agencies.
"They are going to have to get their act together."
KUAM News
By Clynt Ridgell
12/6/08
While most of the island is not a party to the specifics regarding the U.S. Department of Defense's plans to buildup the military on Guam, it's apparent now that the governor too has been left in the dark. In an interview with KUAM News Felix Camacho revealed a major decision being crafted without the input of Guam's highest elected leader.
What's even more disturbing is that this decision involves land.
Governor Camacho is making it clear that he and the people of Guam need a seat at the table when the feds plan the immense military buildup that will bring an estimated 40,000 new people to the island. "As decisions are made, we are simply advised of it not consultedm" he shared. One of these decisions that has sparked the governor to speak out is related to a very touchy subject on Guam.
He continued, "The question was asked will there be sufficient lands for this endeavor. They said, 'Absolutely, we have enough land in our inventory and within our footprint on Guam to make this a success'. I believe decisions are now being made that they need to acquire more land and this would have to be to accommodate the firing range."
The DoD and the Joint Guam Program Office officials have all said repeatedly that they would not need additional lands for the buildup the governor now says they are eyeing some Government of Guam property that is supposed to be used by the island's indigenous people.
"They would like to consolidate their property up north and have one contiguous operation we certainly have lands in between that that are Chamorro Land Trust lands," said Camacho.
The governor further says that he wants to protect the assets of the people, adding that giving additional land to the feds is something that shouldn't be done without first consulting the people. But it's not only the land issue that the governor has a problem with he's concerned about the lack of funding needed to beef up the island's infrastructure. "Guam does not have the resources nor do we have the capacity either financially or personally to build our infrastructure to the level that we must," he told KUAM News.
This need for a rapid buildup of infrastructure is due to the rapid buildup of the military one in which our population will also rapidly increase by over 20%. The governor says although the feds have instructed GovGuam to get with different federal agencies like the EPA, the Federal Highway Administration, the Department of Transportation and others. Only one of them have offered a helping hand.
"We have gone to Office of Management and Budget; we have made our case we've requested for monies in 2010. I've not seen anything come out of it. In fact, the only agency that came to bat for us is the Department of the Interior, which requested roughly $168 million, but every other agency failed to do so."
The governor says he understands that this buildup may be the way that DoD operates, but he also says that if they want to maintain goodwill, Guam needs a voice. "We as an unincorporated territory with no voice and no vote in Congress would be first on the chopping block when it comes to budget," Camacho said. "So where is the support for Guam where is this commitment other than verbal?"
Camacho still believes that this move can be beneficial to Guam it's just a matter of getting the finances necessary to ensure that the island's people are not overburdened. "There's a change in administration. I'm hoping there will be a change in leadership. I think that JGPO, however well intentioned they, are doesn't have enough fire power to get this thing going," the governor concluded. "I don't believe they have enough resources committed to it because it is a major initiative it is a major undertaking and between the DoD and all the other agencies.
"They are going to have to get their act together."
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
From Japan: Obama May Delay Guam Build
Written by Stefan Sebastian
Guam-- More reports are coming out of Japan that the pending military buildup on Guam could be delayed as the plan is reviewed by President-Elect Barack Obama's administration when he takes office next year.
The President of Japan's Democratic Party, Seiji Maehara, says Obama's diplomatic staff has already agreed with Japanese officials that the plan to relocate about 8,000 Marines and their families to Guam from Okinawa is “in-feasible” and should be re-examined. Maehara met with Obama's staff in a June trip to the United States. Officials with Gov. Felix Camacho's office are declining to comment on the reports for now until they can verify them with Japanese and American officials. Any delay in the buildup plan could affect the local economy and set back GovGuam's efforts to address the impact it will have on the island. However, officials say the plan for now remains on track.
The buildup plan comes under the Alliance Transformation And Realignment Agreement and calls for the relocation of the Marines and their families to Guam by 2014.
Guam-- More reports are coming out of Japan that the pending military buildup on Guam could be delayed as the plan is reviewed by President-Elect Barack Obama's administration when he takes office next year.
The President of Japan's Democratic Party, Seiji Maehara, says Obama's diplomatic staff has already agreed with Japanese officials that the plan to relocate about 8,000 Marines and their families to Guam from Okinawa is “in-feasible” and should be re-examined. Maehara met with Obama's staff in a June trip to the United States. Officials with Gov. Felix Camacho's office are declining to comment on the reports for now until they can verify them with Japanese and American officials. Any delay in the buildup plan could affect the local economy and set back GovGuam's efforts to address the impact it will have on the island. However, officials say the plan for now remains on track.
The buildup plan comes under the Alliance Transformation And Realignment Agreement and calls for the relocation of the Marines and their families to Guam by 2014.
Navy cited by EPA for Clean Water Act violations
Wednesday, 03 December 2008 00:00 by Zita Y. Taitano | Variety News Staff
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has cited U.S. Navy for violations of the Clean Water Act.
Violations included discharges from the Navy’s Apra Harbor Wastewater Treatment Plant that exceeded water quality permit limits, and several unpermitted discharges to the Namo River that occurred while the Fena water treatment plant was under repair.
The infractions were found during inspections conducted on facilities at the Naval Base Guam last July.
Inspectors also learned the Navy did not fully or properly implement controls for storm water discharges from industrial activities on the base. It was also discovered that three Navy construction sites did not have proper storm water pollution measures.
Aside from the inspections at Naval Base, EPA conducted similar compliance inspections at Andersen Air Force Base.
The EPA compliance inspections at both Department of Defense facilities in Guam included underground storage tanks, solid and hazardous waste management, wastewater and storm water management and compliance with oil spill prevention requirements.
According to Alexis Strauss, EPA’s water division director for the Pacific Southwest, the matter at hand is an important factor that all military facilities on Guam must be in compliance with.
“EPA will work with Guam EPA and DoD to ensure construction and ongoing operations comply fully with environmental requirements to protect and restore Guam's environment,” Strauss said.
Lt. Donnell Evans, spokesman for the U.S. Naval Forces Marianas, said the Navy is addressing the notice of violations from EPA.
“Our environmental team is in close coordination with EPA and expects to meet all requirements and timelines associated with the submission of corrective action plans,” Evans said.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has cited U.S. Navy for violations of the Clean Water Act.
Violations included discharges from the Navy’s Apra Harbor Wastewater Treatment Plant that exceeded water quality permit limits, and several unpermitted discharges to the Namo River that occurred while the Fena water treatment plant was under repair.
The infractions were found during inspections conducted on facilities at the Naval Base Guam last July.
Inspectors also learned the Navy did not fully or properly implement controls for storm water discharges from industrial activities on the base. It was also discovered that three Navy construction sites did not have proper storm water pollution measures.
Aside from the inspections at Naval Base, EPA conducted similar compliance inspections at Andersen Air Force Base.
The EPA compliance inspections at both Department of Defense facilities in Guam included underground storage tanks, solid and hazardous waste management, wastewater and storm water management and compliance with oil spill prevention requirements.
According to Alexis Strauss, EPA’s water division director for the Pacific Southwest, the matter at hand is an important factor that all military facilities on Guam must be in compliance with.
“EPA will work with Guam EPA and DoD to ensure construction and ongoing operations comply fully with environmental requirements to protect and restore Guam's environment,” Strauss said.
Lt. Donnell Evans, spokesman for the U.S. Naval Forces Marianas, said the Navy is addressing the notice of violations from EPA.
“Our environmental team is in close coordination with EPA and expects to meet all requirements and timelines associated with the submission of corrective action plans,” Evans said.
EPA worried about fund lack for buildup
Wednesday, 03 December 2008 00:00 by Zita Y. Taitano | Variety News Staff
The U.S. Environmental Protection is concerned about the federal government’s lack of commitment to fund programs to address the impact of the military buildup on the civilian community.
Enrique Manzanilla, regional director of EPA’s Communities and Ecosystems Division, noted that the National Defense Reauthorization Act for 2009 does not include pertinent funding for Guam.
The act instead contains a provision that requires a memorandum of understanding between Guam and federal agencies simply to “determine how to fund the impacts.”
“From a very practical point of view, we believe it is very unlikely that the government of Guam or other federal agencies will acquire all the resources to adequately address impacts that go beyond the military fence lines in Guam,” Manzanilla said in a letter to David Bice, executive director of the Joint Guam Program Office.
“The result could be “two Guams”-- one that’s better off within the fence line, and one that worse off outside the fence line,” Mazanilla said.
Manzanilla recalled that during a September meeting with the Federal Regional Council in San Francisco, it was noted through JGPO representative Caroleen Toyama that the DoD was expecting other federal agencies to assist in the mitigation of the overall impact of the buildup.
He further explained that the interagency discussions on overall funding are “lagging significantly” behind the project planning of the buildup, despite the time frame to begin construction in 2010.
Manzanilla said ith the change in the administration, there is uncertainty with regard to the funding requests from federal agencies for their 2010 budgets.
“Even for agencies which have included specific requests for the Guam military buildup, without strong DoD support for additional resources, we are not confident that the current approach will achieve a meaningful result,” he said.
He pointed out that if the agencies involved, such as DoD, the Department of the Interior, EPA, island governments and other interested agencies, get together, they can develop a strategy that would bring better and positive results not only for the Guam community but also DoD.
“The Guam military buildup is a high priority for EPA, especially in ensuring that the buildup benefits all of Guam. Without a well thought-out funding strategy led by DoD, the societal and environmental impacts from the military buildup may end up exacerbating already disparate conditions on Guam. We believe there’s still an opportunity to make a positive difference,” Manzanilla said.
Manzanilla is asking for a meeting with JGPO on the matter. No particular date has been set.
JGPO spokesman Capt. Neil Ruggiero said JGPO has quarterly interagency meetings with GovGuam and other agencies about the buildup and the civilian impact is among the key areas of discusssion.
The issue at hand has sparked the interest of Sens. Rory Respicio and Judy Guthertz, who have sent a letter to Gov. Felix Camacho asking him to look into the matter.
“What we need is an omnibus appropriation from the U.S. Congress for the government of Guam to prepare for the buildup,” Guthertz said.
The U.S. Environmental Protection is concerned about the federal government’s lack of commitment to fund programs to address the impact of the military buildup on the civilian community.
Enrique Manzanilla, regional director of EPA’s Communities and Ecosystems Division, noted that the National Defense Reauthorization Act for 2009 does not include pertinent funding for Guam.
The act instead contains a provision that requires a memorandum of understanding between Guam and federal agencies simply to “determine how to fund the impacts.”
“From a very practical point of view, we believe it is very unlikely that the government of Guam or other federal agencies will acquire all the resources to adequately address impacts that go beyond the military fence lines in Guam,” Manzanilla said in a letter to David Bice, executive director of the Joint Guam Program Office.
“The result could be “two Guams”-- one that’s better off within the fence line, and one that worse off outside the fence line,” Mazanilla said.
Manzanilla recalled that during a September meeting with the Federal Regional Council in San Francisco, it was noted through JGPO representative Caroleen Toyama that the DoD was expecting other federal agencies to assist in the mitigation of the overall impact of the buildup.
He further explained that the interagency discussions on overall funding are “lagging significantly” behind the project planning of the buildup, despite the time frame to begin construction in 2010.
Manzanilla said ith the change in the administration, there is uncertainty with regard to the funding requests from federal agencies for their 2010 budgets.
“Even for agencies which have included specific requests for the Guam military buildup, without strong DoD support for additional resources, we are not confident that the current approach will achieve a meaningful result,” he said.
He pointed out that if the agencies involved, such as DoD, the Department of the Interior, EPA, island governments and other interested agencies, get together, they can develop a strategy that would bring better and positive results not only for the Guam community but also DoD.
“The Guam military buildup is a high priority for EPA, especially in ensuring that the buildup benefits all of Guam. Without a well thought-out funding strategy led by DoD, the societal and environmental impacts from the military buildup may end up exacerbating already disparate conditions on Guam. We believe there’s still an opportunity to make a positive difference,” Manzanilla said.
Manzanilla is asking for a meeting with JGPO on the matter. No particular date has been set.
JGPO spokesman Capt. Neil Ruggiero said JGPO has quarterly interagency meetings with GovGuam and other agencies about the buildup and the civilian impact is among the key areas of discusssion.
The issue at hand has sparked the interest of Sens. Rory Respicio and Judy Guthertz, who have sent a letter to Gov. Felix Camacho asking him to look into the matter.
“What we need is an omnibus appropriation from the U.S. Congress for the government of Guam to prepare for the buildup,” Guthertz said.
Chamorro Land Trust, UOG team up: Agreement addresses compliance of agricultural leases
By Bryan C. Sualog • Pacific Daily News • December 3, 2008
Those with Chamorro Land Trust agricultural leases can expect visits to ensure they're in compliance with the leases, but also some help with farming.
The University of Guam, Chamorro Land Trust Commission and the Department of Agriculture signed a memorandum of agreement yesterday to address compliance and educational outreach for Chamorro Land Trust agricultural leases.
"For a number of years, since the implementation of the Chamorro Land Trust, we've had the issue of compliance on the requirements of the Chamorro Land Trust," said Joanne M. Brown, assistant director for UOG's Soil and Water Conservation program.
She said there had been issues with the ability of the Chamorro Land Trust to provide educational outreach on conservation farming, but the memorandum will offer a solution to those issues.
The agreement puts in place a cooperative compliance team that will provide educational and support programs, conduct assessments for Chamorro Land Trust farmers, evaluate the status of land leases, and provide policy and procedure recommendations to improve the commission's lease program, according to a news release.
The initial term for the memorandum will be one year, with an option to renew.
Oscar Calvo, chairman of the Chamorro Land Trust Commission, said the memorandum will help to educate farmers. He said the memorandum was an opportunity for people that want to farm, but don't really know how, to learn from experts.
"We don't have the expertise," he said. "Who else would be better than the people from the Department of Agriculture and the university to teach these courses?"
Compliance
Calvo said if people on Land Trust agricultural lots aren't in compliance with their leases, they will be given a chance to correct deficiencies.
"If they do not do something about it, then that's another avenue we'll have to look at on the legal side, whether we can terminate (the leases)," he said.
UOG President Robert Underwood said the memorandum provides further evidence that the university's reach is far and wide on this island.
"A large part of our activity, I would say probably over 50 percent of our activities are involved in a whole lot of other things, including these types of service activities, development of relationships with government agencies, and private and public entities, as well as a robust research agenda," he said.
Those with Chamorro Land Trust agricultural leases can expect visits to ensure they're in compliance with the leases, but also some help with farming.
The University of Guam, Chamorro Land Trust Commission and the Department of Agriculture signed a memorandum of agreement yesterday to address compliance and educational outreach for Chamorro Land Trust agricultural leases.
"For a number of years, since the implementation of the Chamorro Land Trust, we've had the issue of compliance on the requirements of the Chamorro Land Trust," said Joanne M. Brown, assistant director for UOG's Soil and Water Conservation program.
She said there had been issues with the ability of the Chamorro Land Trust to provide educational outreach on conservation farming, but the memorandum will offer a solution to those issues.
The agreement puts in place a cooperative compliance team that will provide educational and support programs, conduct assessments for Chamorro Land Trust farmers, evaluate the status of land leases, and provide policy and procedure recommendations to improve the commission's lease program, according to a news release.
The initial term for the memorandum will be one year, with an option to renew.
Oscar Calvo, chairman of the Chamorro Land Trust Commission, said the memorandum will help to educate farmers. He said the memorandum was an opportunity for people that want to farm, but don't really know how, to learn from experts.
"We don't have the expertise," he said. "Who else would be better than the people from the Department of Agriculture and the university to teach these courses?"
Compliance
Calvo said if people on Land Trust agricultural lots aren't in compliance with their leases, they will be given a chance to correct deficiencies.
"If they do not do something about it, then that's another avenue we'll have to look at on the legal side, whether we can terminate (the leases)," he said.
UOG President Robert Underwood said the memorandum provides further evidence that the university's reach is far and wide on this island.
"A large part of our activity, I would say probably over 50 percent of our activities are involved in a whole lot of other things, including these types of service activities, development of relationships with government agencies, and private and public entities, as well as a robust research agenda," he said.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Fiji Military Spending
RECENT OVER-EXPENDITURE REPORT IS NOTHING NEW: LEWENI
11/28/08
www.radiofiji.com.fj/fullstory.php?id=16140
SUVA (RF Online/Pacific Media Watch): Military spokesman Major Neumi Leweni says the recent hype in the media about the over-expenditure of Fiji’s military in 2007 is nothing new.
The military made the headlines recently after it was discovered it spent $45.6 million more than its 2007 budgetary allocation.
This discovery was accompanied by criticism from many who demanded an explanation for the enormous overspending.
Both Major Leweni and then Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry told FBCL News the reason for the over-expenditure was because of the need to take on extra manpower following reports of a possible external military intervention.
As to the many criticisms that the military and the finance ministry have copped in the last few days, Leweni had this to say.
“As you can see, the criticism did not only start when the budget came out. You will note that it is from the same people. People who have been against the military and the interim government from day one. So these people will always be out there to pick on issues to try and discredit the interim government and the RFMF. And just lately, after having listened to articles that have come out, a lot of people fail to realise the amount of money that have been brought in by peacekeepers. And unfortunately people have always looked at the negative side of it.”
The military allocation for 2007 was $80.7 million.
Its total expenditure was $126.28 million, exceeding their allocation by $40.6 million.
11/28/08
www.radiofiji.com.fj/fullstory.php?id=16140
SUVA (RF Online/Pacific Media Watch): Military spokesman Major Neumi Leweni says the recent hype in the media about the over-expenditure of Fiji’s military in 2007 is nothing new.
The military made the headlines recently after it was discovered it spent $45.6 million more than its 2007 budgetary allocation.
This discovery was accompanied by criticism from many who demanded an explanation for the enormous overspending.
Both Major Leweni and then Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry told FBCL News the reason for the over-expenditure was because of the need to take on extra manpower following reports of a possible external military intervention.
As to the many criticisms that the military and the finance ministry have copped in the last few days, Leweni had this to say.
“As you can see, the criticism did not only start when the budget came out. You will note that it is from the same people. People who have been against the military and the interim government from day one. So these people will always be out there to pick on issues to try and discredit the interim government and the RFMF. And just lately, after having listened to articles that have come out, a lot of people fail to realise the amount of money that have been brought in by peacekeepers. And unfortunately people have always looked at the negative side of it.”
The military allocation for 2007 was $80.7 million.
Its total expenditure was $126.28 million, exceeding their allocation by $40.6 million.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Moruroa O Tatou Welcomes Nuclear Compensation
MORUROA O TATOU WELCOMES NUCLEAR TESTS COMPENSATION PLAN
November 25, 2008
www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=43258
PAPE'ETE (RNZI Online/Pacific Media Watch): French Polynesia’s nuclear test veterans’ group, Moruroa o Tatou, has welcomed news that the French government plans to introduce a law to set up a compensation fund for those suffering poor health as a result of the French nuclear weapons tests in the Pacific.
Such a law is expected to be tabled early next year and could pave the way for France to recognise a causal link between the tests and the prevalence of conditions such as thyroid cancer.
The head of the veterans’ group, Roland Oldham, says the announcement suggests that France will at last drop its claim that its weapons tests were clean.
Oldham says in contrast, the United States recognises 31 different types of cancer as a possible result of its testing regime.
He says the French government move may also be to pre-empt a cross-party initiative on the issue.
So far, more than two dozen different French court rulings recognised individual complaints that health problems were the result of the weapons tests but to date the French government has dismissed the findings.
Tens of thousands of French servicemen were deployed in the South Pacific during the 30-year test regime which ended in 1996.
November 25, 2008
www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=43258
PAPE'ETE (RNZI Online/Pacific Media Watch): French Polynesia’s nuclear test veterans’ group, Moruroa o Tatou, has welcomed news that the French government plans to introduce a law to set up a compensation fund for those suffering poor health as a result of the French nuclear weapons tests in the Pacific.
Such a law is expected to be tabled early next year and could pave the way for France to recognise a causal link between the tests and the prevalence of conditions such as thyroid cancer.
The head of the veterans’ group, Roland Oldham, says the announcement suggests that France will at last drop its claim that its weapons tests were clean.
Oldham says in contrast, the United States recognises 31 different types of cancer as a possible result of its testing regime.
He says the French government move may also be to pre-empt a cross-party initiative on the issue.
So far, more than two dozen different French court rulings recognised individual complaints that health problems were the result of the weapons tests but to date the French government has dismissed the findings.
Tens of thousands of French servicemen were deployed in the South Pacific during the 30-year test regime which ended in 1996.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Admin insists lawsuit met legal requirements
By Agnes E. Donato
The Fitial administration insists it met legal requirements when it filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Commonwealth against the U.S. government to block the labor provisions of the new CNMI immigration law.
Press secretary Charles P. Reyes, in response to a legal opinion issued by the Senate's staff legal counsel Michael Ernest, said, “There is no legal issue here. We are in compliance with the legal requirements, even according to Mr. Ernest's analysis.”
Ernest maintains that the CNMI Constitution allows an outside law firm to “represent the CNMI in the litigation, but it must be with the explicit authority granted from the [attorney general] and the AG must maintain some minimal control over the litigation.”
Acting attorney general Gregory Baka holds that the CNMI Constitution authorizes the AG's office to refer cases to private law firms and that delegation is not legally required to be in writing. “Hundreds of pleadings are filed annually by the OAG without the AG's personal review or signature. Yet as the deputy attorney general, I did personally review and comment upon various drafts of the complaint in our Section 903 litigation,” Baka has said in a letter previously sent to Rep. Tina Sablan.
Section 903 of the U.S.-CNMI Covenant allows either party to bring to court any dispute arising under the Covenant.
“Regarding the story on the federal lawsuit,” Reyes wrote in an email yesterday, “again, the AG did approve the filing of the lawsuit, and written authorization is not required. Secondly, Howard Willens has served as an Assistant Attorney General, as well as Special Counsel to the Governor, since January 2006, and he has represented the Commonwealth in that capacity in the local courts.”
The U.S.-based law firm, Jenner & Block, and attorney Howard Willens, special legal counsel to Governor Fitial, are representing the CNMI government in the lawsuit.
The Fitial administration insists it met legal requirements when it filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Commonwealth against the U.S. government to block the labor provisions of the new CNMI immigration law.
Press secretary Charles P. Reyes, in response to a legal opinion issued by the Senate's staff legal counsel Michael Ernest, said, “There is no legal issue here. We are in compliance with the legal requirements, even according to Mr. Ernest's analysis.”
Ernest maintains that the CNMI Constitution allows an outside law firm to “represent the CNMI in the litigation, but it must be with the explicit authority granted from the [attorney general] and the AG must maintain some minimal control over the litigation.”
Acting attorney general Gregory Baka holds that the CNMI Constitution authorizes the AG's office to refer cases to private law firms and that delegation is not legally required to be in writing. “Hundreds of pleadings are filed annually by the OAG without the AG's personal review or signature. Yet as the deputy attorney general, I did personally review and comment upon various drafts of the complaint in our Section 903 litigation,” Baka has said in a letter previously sent to Rep. Tina Sablan.
Section 903 of the U.S.-CNMI Covenant allows either party to bring to court any dispute arising under the Covenant.
“Regarding the story on the federal lawsuit,” Reyes wrote in an email yesterday, “again, the AG did approve the filing of the lawsuit, and written authorization is not required. Secondly, Howard Willens has served as an Assistant Attorney General, as well as Special Counsel to the Governor, since January 2006, and he has represented the Commonwealth in that capacity in the local courts.”
The U.S.-based law firm, Jenner & Block, and attorney Howard Willens, special legal counsel to Governor Fitial, are representing the CNMI government in the lawsuit.
Team Andersen Ensures Preservation Of Guam Cultural Resources
Written by Staff Sgt. Jamie Lessard, 36th Wing Public Affairs
Anderson Air Force Base, Guam: With all the construction planned here for the upcoming year, people may ask whether we are doing our part to conserve the cultural resources on Guam.
According to Dave Lotz, the environmental impact assessment programmer for the 36th Civil Engineering Squadron, the sites that include Sirena (Tarague) Beach, The Habitat Management Unit, and the field training exercise areas at Northwest Field all must be surveyed for possible cultural resources before any construction can take place.
"Tarague Beach has a whole range of cultural resourses including Japanese fortifications, Chamorro culture and remnants of the Atkins -Kroll Plantation from the 1920's." Mr. Lotz said.
According to the Historic American Engineering Record, Northwest Field is significant under criteria A at a national level for events during World War II that aided in the defeat of Japan and the ending of the war.
The property's significance is tied to its dedicated use for night missions against the Japanese oil industry, for its having the only bombers especially equipped with the AN/APQ-7 "Eagle" radar, for the 315th Bomb Wing's development of the "compressibility" procedure and for its planes flying the last bombing mission against Japan.
In keeping with Air Force Instruction 32-7065, Cultural Resource Management and the National Historic Preservation Act, Andersen is taking the necessary steps to ensure there is no destruction to the cultural resources on base property.
According to Patrick Lujan, Deputy State Historic Preservation officer, the following steps should be followed before any construction ensues: identify the cultural resources, access the adverse effects of building, and resolving the adverse effects.
"Andersen is taking steps in the right direction," Mr. Lujan said. "Since the National Historic Act of 1966, this time is the most crucial for Andersen and its property because of all the build-up. There is so much Chamorro history that needs to be protected."
Anderson Air Force Base, Guam: With all the construction planned here for the upcoming year, people may ask whether we are doing our part to conserve the cultural resources on Guam.
According to Dave Lotz, the environmental impact assessment programmer for the 36th Civil Engineering Squadron, the sites that include Sirena (Tarague) Beach, The Habitat Management Unit, and the field training exercise areas at Northwest Field all must be surveyed for possible cultural resources before any construction can take place.
"Tarague Beach has a whole range of cultural resourses including Japanese fortifications, Chamorro culture and remnants of the Atkins -Kroll Plantation from the 1920's." Mr. Lotz said.
According to the Historic American Engineering Record, Northwest Field is significant under criteria A at a national level for events during World War II that aided in the defeat of Japan and the ending of the war.
The property's significance is tied to its dedicated use for night missions against the Japanese oil industry, for its having the only bombers especially equipped with the AN/APQ-7 "Eagle" radar, for the 315th Bomb Wing's development of the "compressibility" procedure and for its planes flying the last bombing mission against Japan.
In keeping with Air Force Instruction 32-7065, Cultural Resource Management and the National Historic Preservation Act, Andersen is taking the necessary steps to ensure there is no destruction to the cultural resources on base property.
According to Patrick Lujan, Deputy State Historic Preservation officer, the following steps should be followed before any construction ensues: identify the cultural resources, access the adverse effects of building, and resolving the adverse effects.
"Andersen is taking steps in the right direction," Mr. Lujan said. "Since the National Historic Act of 1966, this time is the most crucial for Andersen and its property because of all the build-up. There is so much Chamorro history that needs to be protected."
Governors of Guam, CNMI, Virgin Islands urge more medical assistance
By Clynt Ridgell
Governor Felix Camacho and the governors of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands are seeking equity for the United States insular territories regarding Federal Medical Assistance Program temporary increases. The three governors have together signed a letter addressed to several members of the Senate as they deliberate on economic stimulus legislation.
They are urging Congress to support modification of FMAP provisions to reflect the actual health care needs of their residents and respective Medicaid programs. Currently, the territories are only afforded a 50% FMAP matching rate, while other states are given up to an 83% matching rate.
The letter, signed by the territorial governors, requests that the FMAP rate for the insular areas be statutorily set to mirror the District of Columbia at 70%.
Governor Felix Camacho and the governors of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands are seeking equity for the United States insular territories regarding Federal Medical Assistance Program temporary increases. The three governors have together signed a letter addressed to several members of the Senate as they deliberate on economic stimulus legislation.
They are urging Congress to support modification of FMAP provisions to reflect the actual health care needs of their residents and respective Medicaid programs. Currently, the territories are only afforded a 50% FMAP matching rate, while other states are given up to an 83% matching rate.
The letter, signed by the territorial governors, requests that the FMAP rate for the insular areas be statutorily set to mirror the District of Columbia at 70%.
Trade institute is racing against time
Monday, 24 November 2008 00:00 By Emmanuel T. Erediano - Variety News Staff
The newly established Northern Marianas Trades Institute has five years to produce a considerable number of skilled local residents to replace their nonresident counterparts who will be gone by Dec. 2014 as a result of the federalized immigration system that will take effect next year.
NMTI opened on July 15 to train local residents for jobs that are usually filled by guest workers who are willing to accept low wages.
Anthony Pellegrino, who owns a number of businesses on Saipan, said in an interview on Friday that even before the federalization law was enacted, he realized that the CNMI will have five and a half years to build an adequate local work force to replace the guest workers.
The Fitial administration believes that the federalization law will reduce to zero by Dec. 31, 2014 the number of nonresident workers who currently make up 80 percent of the CNMI’s total workforce in the private sector.
Most locals work for the public sector which pays much more than the private companies.
Pellegrino said as an investor who wants to continue doing business on Saipan, he had to think of plan that could at least mitigate the effect of federalization five years from now.
Human capital
Pellegrino said he established the trade institute because he believes the strength of any community lies in the trade skills of its populace.
His start-up money was $60,000 to $70,000 but the real investment here, he said, is motivation.
If a community’s natural resources are used up, the people will be poor forever, he said. But if people are educated, trained and skilled, a country can always become great, Pellegrino added, citing Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan as examples.
“They invested in their people. I call it human capital. The more educated and more skillful the people are the stronger we can become,” Pellegrino said.
In the case of the CNMI, Pellegrino said local residents will be left to continue running the economy under a federalized immigration and labor system.
Educating people in trades, he said, is a sustainable way to keep the CNMI economy growing.
“I strongly feel that if the CNMI trains its human resources it can become one of the finest jurisdictions in the entire Pacific area, but over the years, the local people have been discouraged from learning any trade. They have been elbowed out of the market place because of the abundant supply of inexpensive or low-waged workers,” he said.
Head start
Three weeks ago, 26 local students completed the three-month pre-requisite course at the institute.
They now have to choose any of NMTI’s trade courses —carpentry and painting, plumbing, electronics, sewing, cosmetics, hair styling and culinary arts.
Today, these students, will start to learn “hands-on,” Pellegrino said.
He said there is a great sense of pride and accomplishment among the local students.
Pellegrino is confident that NMTI will be able to produce skilled local residents before the last group guest workers leave the islands.
The only question is, would the number of skilled locals be enough to cover all the jobs that will be left vacant?
Pellegrino said 110 more local residents have enrolled.
The new enrollees, he said, are young men and women, 17 to 35 years old.
Most are jobless and do not have the same skills as guest workers have.
Unfinished job
Pellegrino recalls that when he opened the institute, there was not a trade school in place.
Northern Marianas College used to offer vocational training, but despite the tens of millions of dollars spent on the program, the enrollment and graduation rates for local residents were “appallingly low,” according to a government official.
The then-NMC officials said locals would have no motivation to learn trade skills if CNMI wages remained low.
Public Law 5-4 mandates that the portion of the guest workers’ application and renewal fees will fund NMC’s apprenticeship, vocational and trade training programs.
Public Law 6-4, or the NMC Vocational Education Program Act of 1988, established the college’s apprenticeship vocational management training program in secretarial science, bookkeeping and construction trades.
This program was supposed to be funded by fees collected from businesses that hired nonresident workers.
The programs had to be discontinued due to lack of students.
Some of the equipment like an electronic panel, woodwork tables and tools have not been used for years and are rusting already.
No future competition
The federalization law will fund a CNMI vocational school to train local residents for guest worker job.
Pellegrino said that if the local government establishes such school he will not compete with it.
He is willing to close NMTI once the federally required vocational school is established.
“I will be grateful if somebody will continue this for me,” he said, adding that he established NMTI just to show what the commonwealth can do to help itself.
The newly established Northern Marianas Trades Institute has five years to produce a considerable number of skilled local residents to replace their nonresident counterparts who will be gone by Dec. 2014 as a result of the federalized immigration system that will take effect next year.
NMTI opened on July 15 to train local residents for jobs that are usually filled by guest workers who are willing to accept low wages.
Anthony Pellegrino, who owns a number of businesses on Saipan, said in an interview on Friday that even before the federalization law was enacted, he realized that the CNMI will have five and a half years to build an adequate local work force to replace the guest workers.
The Fitial administration believes that the federalization law will reduce to zero by Dec. 31, 2014 the number of nonresident workers who currently make up 80 percent of the CNMI’s total workforce in the private sector.
Most locals work for the public sector which pays much more than the private companies.
Pellegrino said as an investor who wants to continue doing business on Saipan, he had to think of plan that could at least mitigate the effect of federalization five years from now.
Human capital
Pellegrino said he established the trade institute because he believes the strength of any community lies in the trade skills of its populace.
His start-up money was $60,000 to $70,000 but the real investment here, he said, is motivation.
If a community’s natural resources are used up, the people will be poor forever, he said. But if people are educated, trained and skilled, a country can always become great, Pellegrino added, citing Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan as examples.
“They invested in their people. I call it human capital. The more educated and more skillful the people are the stronger we can become,” Pellegrino said.
In the case of the CNMI, Pellegrino said local residents will be left to continue running the economy under a federalized immigration and labor system.
Educating people in trades, he said, is a sustainable way to keep the CNMI economy growing.
“I strongly feel that if the CNMI trains its human resources it can become one of the finest jurisdictions in the entire Pacific area, but over the years, the local people have been discouraged from learning any trade. They have been elbowed out of the market place because of the abundant supply of inexpensive or low-waged workers,” he said.
Head start
Three weeks ago, 26 local students completed the three-month pre-requisite course at the institute.
They now have to choose any of NMTI’s trade courses —carpentry and painting, plumbing, electronics, sewing, cosmetics, hair styling and culinary arts.
Today, these students, will start to learn “hands-on,” Pellegrino said.
He said there is a great sense of pride and accomplishment among the local students.
Pellegrino is confident that NMTI will be able to produce skilled local residents before the last group guest workers leave the islands.
The only question is, would the number of skilled locals be enough to cover all the jobs that will be left vacant?
Pellegrino said 110 more local residents have enrolled.
The new enrollees, he said, are young men and women, 17 to 35 years old.
Most are jobless and do not have the same skills as guest workers have.
Unfinished job
Pellegrino recalls that when he opened the institute, there was not a trade school in place.
Northern Marianas College used to offer vocational training, but despite the tens of millions of dollars spent on the program, the enrollment and graduation rates for local residents were “appallingly low,” according to a government official.
The then-NMC officials said locals would have no motivation to learn trade skills if CNMI wages remained low.
Public Law 5-4 mandates that the portion of the guest workers’ application and renewal fees will fund NMC’s apprenticeship, vocational and trade training programs.
Public Law 6-4, or the NMC Vocational Education Program Act of 1988, established the college’s apprenticeship vocational management training program in secretarial science, bookkeeping and construction trades.
This program was supposed to be funded by fees collected from businesses that hired nonresident workers.
The programs had to be discontinued due to lack of students.
Some of the equipment like an electronic panel, woodwork tables and tools have not been used for years and are rusting already.
No future competition
The federalization law will fund a CNMI vocational school to train local residents for guest worker job.
Pellegrino said that if the local government establishes such school he will not compete with it.
He is willing to close NMTI once the federally required vocational school is established.
“I will be grateful if somebody will continue this for me,” he said, adding that he established NMTI just to show what the commonwealth can do to help itself.
Report: Thousands of locals have already left NMI
Monday, 24 November 2008 00:00 By Junhan B. Todeno - Variety News Staff
Because of the economic crisis, more than 4,000 local residents have already moved to the states, according to the report conducted on the economic impact of federalization on the CNMI.
“Like American Samoans, people originally from the CNMI have established substantial communities on the mainland, particularly in the western states,” Malcolm D. McPhee & Associates said in its 96-page report.
The federally funded report was commissioned by the governor, who is now using its findings to support the lawsuit he filed against the federalization law.
Rota’s Sen. Paul A. Manglona and Rep. Victor B. Hocog have noted the “heavy exodus” of island residents seeking good paying jobs in the U.S.
Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela believes that four families “are leaving every week.”
According to the report, the loss of local residents will further damage the economy because it is reducing the local labor force.
“With no ability to replace those workers, the economy would slump even more,” the report stated.
It noted that the CNMI is losing its young and educated residents, which will reduce its chances for economic advancement in the future.
This reporter interviewed several local residents who were holding yard sales because they had decided to settle down in the states.
“We’re moving out by January next week,” a family in Koblerville said.
Another resident said they will join their relatives who are now in the states.
“In light of the lack of jobs, a decline in the standard of living, a deteriorating public sector, and the right to move freely to the states, which offer much higher paying jobs, it would be surprising if a substantial number of U.S qualified residents did not leave the CNMI,” the report said.
Former Speaker Oscar C. Rasa, the CNMI Descents for Self-Government and Indigenous Rights spokesman and adviser, said the exodus will continue “if we do nothing to counter this problem.”
The report said if there is no significant outmigration, the local economy will eventually settle down to a workable size, supporting about 16,000 jobs.
However, it added, with no ability to expand its workforce, the economy will ultimately stagnate.
“Because of distance and cultural differences, CNMI residents may be less inclined to move away from home than people in the rest of the United States. But it should be pointed that for years there has been a steady stream of American Samoans migrating to the states in search of better jobs and schools. Moreover, as Samoans have built communities in the states, it appears that the process of leaving home has become easier,” the report stated.
Because of the economic crisis, more than 4,000 local residents have already moved to the states, according to the report conducted on the economic impact of federalization on the CNMI.
“Like American Samoans, people originally from the CNMI have established substantial communities on the mainland, particularly in the western states,” Malcolm D. McPhee & Associates said in its 96-page report.
The federally funded report was commissioned by the governor, who is now using its findings to support the lawsuit he filed against the federalization law.
Rota’s Sen. Paul A. Manglona and Rep. Victor B. Hocog have noted the “heavy exodus” of island residents seeking good paying jobs in the U.S.
Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela believes that four families “are leaving every week.”
According to the report, the loss of local residents will further damage the economy because it is reducing the local labor force.
“With no ability to replace those workers, the economy would slump even more,” the report stated.
It noted that the CNMI is losing its young and educated residents, which will reduce its chances for economic advancement in the future.
This reporter interviewed several local residents who were holding yard sales because they had decided to settle down in the states.
“We’re moving out by January next week,” a family in Koblerville said.
Another resident said they will join their relatives who are now in the states.
“In light of the lack of jobs, a decline in the standard of living, a deteriorating public sector, and the right to move freely to the states, which offer much higher paying jobs, it would be surprising if a substantial number of U.S qualified residents did not leave the CNMI,” the report said.
Former Speaker Oscar C. Rasa, the CNMI Descents for Self-Government and Indigenous Rights spokesman and adviser, said the exodus will continue “if we do nothing to counter this problem.”
The report said if there is no significant outmigration, the local economy will eventually settle down to a workable size, supporting about 16,000 jobs.
However, it added, with no ability to expand its workforce, the economy will ultimately stagnate.
“Because of distance and cultural differences, CNMI residents may be less inclined to move away from home than people in the rest of the United States. But it should be pointed that for years there has been a steady stream of American Samoans migrating to the states in search of better jobs and schools. Moreover, as Samoans have built communities in the states, it appears that the process of leaving home has become easier,” the report stated.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Bill seeks legal action against feds on COFA
Friday, 21 November 2008
by Therese Hart
Marinas Variety News Staff
SENATOR Frank Blas Jr. has introduced a bill appropriating $200,000 to the Office of the Attorney General for its representation of the govSen. Frank Blas Jr.
ernment of Guam in a legal action to claim more than $400 million in Compact Impact funds from the U.S. government. “We need to take this conversation to the next level. For many years, there continues to be that acknowledgement by the federal government that they owe us money,” Blas said.
Blas said the federal government owes Guam over $400 million in reimbursement costs for hosting Freely Associated States citizens who are using public services.
“And they think that what they’ve been giving us annually--$14.2 million--that it would suffice for the total cost of what we actually spend, and it’s not,” Blas said.
Bill 385 identifies fiscal year 2009 Guam Highway Fund revenues as the funding source for the legal expenses.
The AGO can hire personnel, procure professional services and incur other costs necessary to successfully pursue the case.
The bill also exempts AGO from the restriction on the hiring of limited term appointments and unclassified employees.
Blas has written to Guam Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo regarding this issue but he said the congresswoman has done nothing to look into the matter.
“It’s like, we should be thankful we’re getting $14.2 million. I’m sorry, but no. We no longer should stand being treated this way-- that we’re going to continue to provide these services and not get paid properly,” Blas said.
The issue was raised this year during the Association of Pacific Island Legislators, hosted by Guam lawmakers and a resolution was passed and sent to the president and members of Congress. Another Resolution 141 passed by the 29th Guam Legislature dealing with the same issue was also transmitted to Washington.
“We’ve asked and we’ve pleaded for proper reimbursement for the cost of those services that we provide on their behalf. The message is, we’re not going to be taken lightly anymore. We need this money and (the federal government) owes it to us,” Blas said.
“And they are in violation of being able to reimburse us. This is the basis for us to say, this is your law, you say you’re going to reimburse us and now this lawsuit is being initiated so that we can get that reimbursement,” said Blas.
He said Guam us in the middle of a situation in which the community has to “debate among ourselves” as to where to find money to meet certain federal mandates.”
Friday, 21 November 2008
by Therese Hart
Marinas Variety News Staff
SENATOR Frank Blas Jr. has introduced a bill appropriating $200,000 to the Office of the Attorney General for its representation of the govSen. Frank Blas Jr.
ernment of Guam in a legal action to claim more than $400 million in Compact Impact funds from the U.S. government. “We need to take this conversation to the next level. For many years, there continues to be that acknowledgement by the federal government that they owe us money,” Blas said.
Blas said the federal government owes Guam over $400 million in reimbursement costs for hosting Freely Associated States citizens who are using public services.
“And they think that what they’ve been giving us annually--$14.2 million--that it would suffice for the total cost of what we actually spend, and it’s not,” Blas said.
Bill 385 identifies fiscal year 2009 Guam Highway Fund revenues as the funding source for the legal expenses.
The AGO can hire personnel, procure professional services and incur other costs necessary to successfully pursue the case.
The bill also exempts AGO from the restriction on the hiring of limited term appointments and unclassified employees.
Blas has written to Guam Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo regarding this issue but he said the congresswoman has done nothing to look into the matter.
“It’s like, we should be thankful we’re getting $14.2 million. I’m sorry, but no. We no longer should stand being treated this way-- that we’re going to continue to provide these services and not get paid properly,” Blas said.
The issue was raised this year during the Association of Pacific Island Legislators, hosted by Guam lawmakers and a resolution was passed and sent to the president and members of Congress. Another Resolution 141 passed by the 29th Guam Legislature dealing with the same issue was also transmitted to Washington.
“We’ve asked and we’ve pleaded for proper reimbursement for the cost of those services that we provide on their behalf. The message is, we’re not going to be taken lightly anymore. We need this money and (the federal government) owes it to us,” Blas said.
“And they are in violation of being able to reimburse us. This is the basis for us to say, this is your law, you say you’re going to reimburse us and now this lawsuit is being initiated so that we can get that reimbursement,” said Blas.
He said Guam us in the middle of a situation in which the community has to “debate among ourselves” as to where to find money to meet certain federal mandates.”
Military Buildup Forum Draws Huge Crowd
Military buildup forum draws huge crowd
Thursday, 20 November 2008
By Beau Hodai
Marianas Variety News Staff
THE forum called “A Critique of the Military Buildup on Guahan” held last night at the University of Guam College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Lecture Hall drew hundreds of participants who were seeking to know how Guam has been dealing with the preparation for the federal government’s Marines relocation plan.
Students and other members of the community filled the hall to hear statements made by an eight-member panel comprised in equal parts of representatives of community organizations and the Civilian-Military Taskforce under the Office of the Governor.
The CMTF provided presentations on the impact of the buildup on the island’s economy, infrastructure, public safety and environmental.
Several panelists and members of the audience expressed concern and frustration over the lack of input from the local community.
“I unequivocally object to the unilateral and arbitrary U.S. policy to hypermilitarize our home,” said Hope Cristobal, former Senator and founder of the Guam Decolonization Commission.
“The federal government never consulted the people of Guam as to the impact such a move would cause before a deal was made with the foreign Japanese government and that the U.S. military officials will not accommodate Guam’s needs in the already concluded bilateral agreement,” she added.
Chris Duenas, chairman of the CMTF public safety task force, said his committee has been working to improve the safety of Guam residents in years to come as the buildup begins to materialize.
He said there are some pre-construction concerns that the CMTF is working to address, such as port capacity and security and tightened customs security to handle the influx of traffic Guam is set to see in coming years.
In addition to increased port and customs security, Duenas said the Office of the Governor has requested $236 million in additional funding from the federal government for fiscal year 2010.
Of the requested amount, $14 million has already been earmarked for the Guam Police Department for recruitment of 60 new police officers.
He said another goal is to develop “fusion centers” to bring local and federal officials together to facilitate cooperation and coherency in government.
An open forum followed after the panels’ presentations.
“If the military buildup is so great, how come Okinawa wants them out?” Fanai Castro of the Guahan Indigenous Collective asked, rhetorically.
“One of the major drives as to why the people of Okinawa started organizing against the U.S. military was because a helicopter crashed at a university in Okinawa,” said Castro. “So, that question is kind of clever—it answers its self. It is because the U.S. military is so great, it is the reason why the people of Okinawa want the military out.”
John Benavente, Consolidated Commission on Utilities general manager and chairman of the CMTF committee on infrastructure, encouraged the students to take jobs in the environmental field, saying environmental workers on Guam now are overburdened.
Panelist Michael Lujan Bevacqua of Famoksaiyan said every resident of Guam—regardless of their position on the buildup—needs to realize that the buildup will affect them personally. He encouraged residents to take a more proactive roll in the course of their and Guam’s future.
“It (the buildup) is taking place because we are America, and it’s taking place because we’re not. It is not only something that takes place because of our geographic position, but our colonial status as well,” Bevacqua said.
“It is also taking place because we are one of the few American communities where a unilateral announcement by the DOD that it intends to drastically affect life in your community and cause a population increase of 34 percent is met with excitement, celebration and a frightening lack of questioning,” he added.
Whether one supports or opposes the troops buildup, Bevacqua said everyone “should care about the fact that you are a colony and this military buildup is predicated on the fact that you live in a colony and you can be treated as an object for the subject of the united states, as a weapon of the warrior of the United States military.”
“This is the United States military sharpening the tip of its spear,” he said.
Thursday, 20 November 2008
By Beau Hodai
Marianas Variety News Staff
THE forum called “A Critique of the Military Buildup on Guahan” held last night at the University of Guam College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Lecture Hall drew hundreds of participants who were seeking to know how Guam has been dealing with the preparation for the federal government’s Marines relocation plan.
Students and other members of the community filled the hall to hear statements made by an eight-member panel comprised in equal parts of representatives of community organizations and the Civilian-Military Taskforce under the Office of the Governor.
The CMTF provided presentations on the impact of the buildup on the island’s economy, infrastructure, public safety and environmental.
Several panelists and members of the audience expressed concern and frustration over the lack of input from the local community.
“I unequivocally object to the unilateral and arbitrary U.S. policy to hypermilitarize our home,” said Hope Cristobal, former Senator and founder of the Guam Decolonization Commission.
“The federal government never consulted the people of Guam as to the impact such a move would cause before a deal was made with the foreign Japanese government and that the U.S. military officials will not accommodate Guam’s needs in the already concluded bilateral agreement,” she added.
Chris Duenas, chairman of the CMTF public safety task force, said his committee has been working to improve the safety of Guam residents in years to come as the buildup begins to materialize.
He said there are some pre-construction concerns that the CMTF is working to address, such as port capacity and security and tightened customs security to handle the influx of traffic Guam is set to see in coming years.
In addition to increased port and customs security, Duenas said the Office of the Governor has requested $236 million in additional funding from the federal government for fiscal year 2010.
Of the requested amount, $14 million has already been earmarked for the Guam Police Department for recruitment of 60 new police officers.
He said another goal is to develop “fusion centers” to bring local and federal officials together to facilitate cooperation and coherency in government.
An open forum followed after the panels’ presentations.
“If the military buildup is so great, how come Okinawa wants them out?” Fanai Castro of the Guahan Indigenous Collective asked, rhetorically.
“One of the major drives as to why the people of Okinawa started organizing against the U.S. military was because a helicopter crashed at a university in Okinawa,” said Castro. “So, that question is kind of clever—it answers its self. It is because the U.S. military is so great, it is the reason why the people of Okinawa want the military out.”
John Benavente, Consolidated Commission on Utilities general manager and chairman of the CMTF committee on infrastructure, encouraged the students to take jobs in the environmental field, saying environmental workers on Guam now are overburdened.
Panelist Michael Lujan Bevacqua of Famoksaiyan said every resident of Guam—regardless of their position on the buildup—needs to realize that the buildup will affect them personally. He encouraged residents to take a more proactive roll in the course of their and Guam’s future.
“It (the buildup) is taking place because we are America, and it’s taking place because we’re not. It is not only something that takes place because of our geographic position, but our colonial status as well,” Bevacqua said.
“It is also taking place because we are one of the few American communities where a unilateral announcement by the DOD that it intends to drastically affect life in your community and cause a population increase of 34 percent is met with excitement, celebration and a frightening lack of questioning,” he added.
Whether one supports or opposes the troops buildup, Bevacqua said everyone “should care about the fact that you are a colony and this military buildup is predicated on the fact that you live in a colony and you can be treated as an object for the subject of the united states, as a weapon of the warrior of the United States military.”
“This is the United States military sharpening the tip of its spear,” he said.
Forum Presents Different Views on the Buildup
Buildup discussion presents different views
By William B. Martin Jr.
Pacific Daily News
November 21, 2008
Sitting and standing room was scarce at the University of Guam's Class Lecture Hall as students and residents gathered to discuss the military buildup.
Panelists for the event consisted of members of the Civilian Military Task Force and two community action groups -- Guahan Indigenous Collective and Famoksaiyan -- who presented their views on the upcoming military buildup of troops, personnel and civilian contractors on the island. The event was hosted by UOG's College of Liberal Arts and Sanctuary Inc.
Presentations were limited to seven minutes initially, followed by three minute closing remarks and a question and answer session made up of inquiries from the audience.
John Benavente, general manager of Consolidated Utilities, discussed his views on the buildup in terms of infrastructure, in light of a projected surge in Guam's population.
"Our goal in this buildup is not only to meet this demand, but to improve services, as well," he said.
Benavente said with a 30-year-old Guam Waterworks Authority the days of utilities being unable to provide services must come to an end, advocating hand-in-hand collaboration with the military. He said the island is too small for multiple power, water and solid waste systems.
UOG economics professor Roseanne Jones said Guam looks to experience a "restructuring" from a tourism-based economy to one that relies more on military contributions.
She recommended the island continue to develop tourism revenues, as well as a possible "third leg" to strengthen the economy, avoiding economic dependence on too few sources.
Buildup 'partner'
Mike Bevacqua of the group Famoksaiyan encouraged attendants -- many of them university students -- to challenge island leaders in ensuring that Guam receives a benefit from the military buildup.
"If their assumption is that you're all just happy to get jobs, they will just go along with it and do what is easiest."
He called upon those in the audience to envision a situation in which Guam was a "partner' in the buildup -- if island officials were asked before plans were made -- which he said was certainly not the case.
"What are we trading off for our (economy)?" Fanai Castro of the Guahan Indigenous Collective asked. "Will it teach our children to survive when it's gone?"
By William B. Martin Jr.
Pacific Daily News
November 21, 2008
Sitting and standing room was scarce at the University of Guam's Class Lecture Hall as students and residents gathered to discuss the military buildup.
Panelists for the event consisted of members of the Civilian Military Task Force and two community action groups -- Guahan Indigenous Collective and Famoksaiyan -- who presented their views on the upcoming military buildup of troops, personnel and civilian contractors on the island. The event was hosted by UOG's College of Liberal Arts and Sanctuary Inc.
Presentations were limited to seven minutes initially, followed by three minute closing remarks and a question and answer session made up of inquiries from the audience.
John Benavente, general manager of Consolidated Utilities, discussed his views on the buildup in terms of infrastructure, in light of a projected surge in Guam's population.
"Our goal in this buildup is not only to meet this demand, but to improve services, as well," he said.
Benavente said with a 30-year-old Guam Waterworks Authority the days of utilities being unable to provide services must come to an end, advocating hand-in-hand collaboration with the military. He said the island is too small for multiple power, water and solid waste systems.
UOG economics professor Roseanne Jones said Guam looks to experience a "restructuring" from a tourism-based economy to one that relies more on military contributions.
She recommended the island continue to develop tourism revenues, as well as a possible "third leg" to strengthen the economy, avoiding economic dependence on too few sources.
Buildup 'partner'
Mike Bevacqua of the group Famoksaiyan encouraged attendants -- many of them university students -- to challenge island leaders in ensuring that Guam receives a benefit from the military buildup.
"If their assumption is that you're all just happy to get jobs, they will just go along with it and do what is easiest."
He called upon those in the audience to envision a situation in which Guam was a "partner' in the buildup -- if island officials were asked before plans were made -- which he said was certainly not the case.
"What are we trading off for our (economy)?" Fanai Castro of the Guahan Indigenous Collective asked. "Will it teach our children to survive when it's gone?"
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Buildup Could Bring Many Filipinos
Buildup could bring many Filipinos
Joe Murphy
Guam PDN
November 17, 2008
Guam is heading for a sea of change. The key behind this, obviously, is the military buildup. That is coming, and if you don't like it I would suggest moving to Palau.
How will all this affect you? Greatly.
I just read a blog from the Asian Journal that puts one part of this typhoon-type change in perspective. It was written by Malou Liwang Aguilar of the AJ Press. It stated: "In the next few years, the number of Filipinos in Guam will possibly increase with the strategic move of U.S. military bases from Okinawa, Japan. At present, approximately one-fourth (or larger) of the island's population are either Filipinos or of Filipino descent.
"This move opens new opportunities for Filipinos in the island, as an estimated $13 billion will be spent for construction of facilities and housing for military personnel in the span of four years.
"This also means that 20,000 to 30,000 Overseas Filipino Workers can find jobs in Guam. Known for their work ethic and English proficiency, Filipino construction workers are preferred by Guam companies, according to the Philippine Association of Service Exporters Inc.
"But Guam is no stranger to Pinoys. In fact, 35 percent of Guam's population is of Filipino descent, according to Guam Gov. Felix Camacho, during his speech at the 'Living the Dream' event sponsored by the Republican National Convention held in St. Paul, Minn. Camacho, who is also part Filipino, emphasized the significant contribution of the API vote and urged his fellow APIs to get involved.
"Also, Filipino businesses thrive in the island. Chinese-Filipino tycoons like Lucio Tan, Henry Sy and George Ty are major investors. Tan owns one of the largest mall in the island, Micronesia Mall, (as well as) the Tropicana Hotel, American Bakery, Toppy Furniture and iConnect, a mobile communications company. His banks, Allied Bank and Philippine National Bank, also have branches, while Philippine Airlines regularly flies between Manila and Guam."
By the year 2014, approximately 8,000 U.S. Marines and 9,000 family members will relocate to Guam. It is said to be the biggest military buildup in the history of the United States. The expansion could include a new Marine base, an Army ballistic missile defense facility and expanded Air Force and Navy bases by 2014, according to an initial Defense Department time line.
However, news of the military buildup has raised fears among some Chamorros that their culture and population will be diluted. In a recent interview, Chamorro leader Debbie Quinata said that she's not sure that the tiny island can cope with the military influx.
With 40,000 people -- about a 25 percent increase -- expected to move to the island in less than a decade, that is certainly a big challenge to all issues that matter to Guam.
That was why during the Republican convention, Camacho reached out to U.S. presidential candidate Sen. John McCain to discuss the issues. "I've met with John McCain, to discuss issues that matter to Guam."
The governor's office is lobbying for financial assistance from the federal government over the next few years, money that is to be spent outside the bases' fence lines. This would mean roads, seaport, utility improvements and other projects.
In a visit to Guam last year, U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney stressed Guam's role in the U.S. bases' relocation.
"The U.S. can move quickly and effectively to protect our friends, to defend our interests, to bring relief in times of emergency, and to keep the sea lanes open for commerce, and close it to terrorists," he said. "This island may be small, but it has tremendous importance to the peace and security of the world."
Yet even with Guam's significant role to the U.S. military, Camacho pointed out to McCain that Washington, D.C., could give Guam better treatment.
"We are also Americans, and we need to change the way Guam is treated," Camacho said.
But no matter how you cut it, you are never going to make everybody happy.
Billions of dollars will be spent in Guam by the military, the American government and the Japanese government. That should make the businessmen joyful.
Millions of dollars, if not billions, will be spent to upgrade our roads and highways, and transportation in general.
We also can rest assured that the U.S. government isn't going to just drop the Marines off here. They will need better air transportation. They will need water and power and a garbage dump.
The people of Guam, if they can see into the future, should know that the Marines, their families and associated workers will pay more in taxes, and thus provide a bigger, better tax base, which should help our schools.
Communication should get better too, with better TV and movies. We will have more restaurants and night spots.
It is going to hurt somewhat that the traffic, already bad, will worsen.
More jobs will be created for local people, and more taxes will be paid into GovGuam, broadening that base.
The people of Guam have always been on the low end of the gross national product, but I think this will change, too. I see clearly that new and better houses will be built. The island people should have more money to spend on vacations and education.
Health care will become an essential issue, and we may get a new, up-to-date hospital built.
If we watch the military buildup, and don't complain too much, maybe we can count on a plebiscite that would grant this island more freedom than it has now, in the form of a commonwealth.
Joe Murphy is a former editor of the Pacific Daily News.
Joe Murphy
Guam PDN
November 17, 2008
Guam is heading for a sea of change. The key behind this, obviously, is the military buildup. That is coming, and if you don't like it I would suggest moving to Palau.
How will all this affect you? Greatly.
I just read a blog from the Asian Journal that puts one part of this typhoon-type change in perspective. It was written by Malou Liwang Aguilar of the AJ Press. It stated: "In the next few years, the number of Filipinos in Guam will possibly increase with the strategic move of U.S. military bases from Okinawa, Japan. At present, approximately one-fourth (or larger) of the island's population are either Filipinos or of Filipino descent.
"This move opens new opportunities for Filipinos in the island, as an estimated $13 billion will be spent for construction of facilities and housing for military personnel in the span of four years.
"This also means that 20,000 to 30,000 Overseas Filipino Workers can find jobs in Guam. Known for their work ethic and English proficiency, Filipino construction workers are preferred by Guam companies, according to the Philippine Association of Service Exporters Inc.
"But Guam is no stranger to Pinoys. In fact, 35 percent of Guam's population is of Filipino descent, according to Guam Gov. Felix Camacho, during his speech at the 'Living the Dream' event sponsored by the Republican National Convention held in St. Paul, Minn. Camacho, who is also part Filipino, emphasized the significant contribution of the API vote and urged his fellow APIs to get involved.
"Also, Filipino businesses thrive in the island. Chinese-Filipino tycoons like Lucio Tan, Henry Sy and George Ty are major investors. Tan owns one of the largest mall in the island, Micronesia Mall, (as well as) the Tropicana Hotel, American Bakery, Toppy Furniture and iConnect, a mobile communications company. His banks, Allied Bank and Philippine National Bank, also have branches, while Philippine Airlines regularly flies between Manila and Guam."
By the year 2014, approximately 8,000 U.S. Marines and 9,000 family members will relocate to Guam. It is said to be the biggest military buildup in the history of the United States. The expansion could include a new Marine base, an Army ballistic missile defense facility and expanded Air Force and Navy bases by 2014, according to an initial Defense Department time line.
However, news of the military buildup has raised fears among some Chamorros that their culture and population will be diluted. In a recent interview, Chamorro leader Debbie Quinata said that she's not sure that the tiny island can cope with the military influx.
With 40,000 people -- about a 25 percent increase -- expected to move to the island in less than a decade, that is certainly a big challenge to all issues that matter to Guam.
That was why during the Republican convention, Camacho reached out to U.S. presidential candidate Sen. John McCain to discuss the issues. "I've met with John McCain, to discuss issues that matter to Guam."
The governor's office is lobbying for financial assistance from the federal government over the next few years, money that is to be spent outside the bases' fence lines. This would mean roads, seaport, utility improvements and other projects.
In a visit to Guam last year, U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney stressed Guam's role in the U.S. bases' relocation.
"The U.S. can move quickly and effectively to protect our friends, to defend our interests, to bring relief in times of emergency, and to keep the sea lanes open for commerce, and close it to terrorists," he said. "This island may be small, but it has tremendous importance to the peace and security of the world."
Yet even with Guam's significant role to the U.S. military, Camacho pointed out to McCain that Washington, D.C., could give Guam better treatment.
"We are also Americans, and we need to change the way Guam is treated," Camacho said.
But no matter how you cut it, you are never going to make everybody happy.
Billions of dollars will be spent in Guam by the military, the American government and the Japanese government. That should make the businessmen joyful.
Millions of dollars, if not billions, will be spent to upgrade our roads and highways, and transportation in general.
We also can rest assured that the U.S. government isn't going to just drop the Marines off here. They will need better air transportation. They will need water and power and a garbage dump.
The people of Guam, if they can see into the future, should know that the Marines, their families and associated workers will pay more in taxes, and thus provide a bigger, better tax base, which should help our schools.
Communication should get better too, with better TV and movies. We will have more restaurants and night spots.
It is going to hurt somewhat that the traffic, already bad, will worsen.
More jobs will be created for local people, and more taxes will be paid into GovGuam, broadening that base.
The people of Guam have always been on the low end of the gross national product, but I think this will change, too. I see clearly that new and better houses will be built. The island people should have more money to spend on vacations and education.
Health care will become an essential issue, and we may get a new, up-to-date hospital built.
If we watch the military buildup, and don't complain too much, maybe we can count on a plebiscite that would grant this island more freedom than it has now, in the form of a commonwealth.
Joe Murphy is a former editor of the Pacific Daily News.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Consultants Report 30% Decrease in Dump Waste
Consultants report 30% decrease in dump waste
By William B. Martin Jr.
Pacific Daily News
November 17, 2008
There's been a 30 percent drop in waste going to the Ordot dump as a result of the July materials ban on cardboard, green waste and construction debris, according to a progress report filed in federal court by the court-appointed federal receiver.
Solid waste managers Gershman, Brickner & Bratton also submitted invoices totalling $222,677.20 to be paid by the government of Guam for services provided in September.
The solid waste management consulting firm was given full authority by the court District Court of Guam to to close Ordot dump and build a new landfill in Dandan, Inarajan, as required by a 2003 consent decree between federal and local officials. Both projects were supposed to be completed last year, but it was expected to take GovGuam several more years to build the new landfill so the dump can be closed.
The materials ban has been one of the measures they implemented and enforced on all commercial and self-haulers going directly to the dump and the Agat and Dededo transfer stations.
Progress report
The latest progress report also states that emergency procurement orders authorized by Gov. Felix Camacho have been used on vehicle purchases, repairs and maintenance. Though invoices do not make clear exact dollar amounts set aside on emergency procurement, a July status report to the court estimates emergency procurement on "urgent" purchases to be around $1.66 million.
Through such measures, the receiver has reduced the Department of Public Works Solid Waste Division's dependence on equipment rentals from $11,000 daily to about $1,400 per day, the report states.
"(These vehicles) together with repairs to the older equipment allowed trash collection crews to complete their routes during one shift for the first time in several years," David Manning, GBB special principle associate, stated in the report.
The consultants also touted the implementation of new containers accepting glass, mixed paper and cardboard for recycling, located at the Agat and Dededo transfer stations and the Ordot dump.
Invoices
To date, GovGuam has paid $1,145,961.79 to Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, according to the latest invoice submitted on Oct. 31. Labor costs for the month of September total more than $173,000.
The firm's expense report consists mostly of per diem, lodging and transportation costs incurred among employees traveling to Guam in order to maintain the firm's constant presence on island.
Among the billable items purchased include a $134 vacuum cleaner and a $21 barbecue grill, according to receipts submitted to the court.
In an e-mail, Manning said the purchases, which are tracked and audited monthly by the court, were cost saving measures intended to bring down restaurant costs and cleaning services for employees' temporary residences.
'Cost-effective'
"This arrangement has been very cost-effective for Guam," he said.
Manning provided correspondence with the court in which detailed reports for the months of July through August indicate that the firm billed GovGuam $14,852.72, which he said is a little more than half the posted U.S. government rates for traveling contractors.
The funds shall be paid from a $2.8 million interest-bearing savings account that GovGuam is required to open in January, according to the order.
By William B. Martin Jr.
Pacific Daily News
November 17, 2008
There's been a 30 percent drop in waste going to the Ordot dump as a result of the July materials ban on cardboard, green waste and construction debris, according to a progress report filed in federal court by the court-appointed federal receiver.
Solid waste managers Gershman, Brickner & Bratton also submitted invoices totalling $222,677.20 to be paid by the government of Guam for services provided in September.
The solid waste management consulting firm was given full authority by the court District Court of Guam to to close Ordot dump and build a new landfill in Dandan, Inarajan, as required by a 2003 consent decree between federal and local officials. Both projects were supposed to be completed last year, but it was expected to take GovGuam several more years to build the new landfill so the dump can be closed.
The materials ban has been one of the measures they implemented and enforced on all commercial and self-haulers going directly to the dump and the Agat and Dededo transfer stations.
Progress report
The latest progress report also states that emergency procurement orders authorized by Gov. Felix Camacho have been used on vehicle purchases, repairs and maintenance. Though invoices do not make clear exact dollar amounts set aside on emergency procurement, a July status report to the court estimates emergency procurement on "urgent" purchases to be around $1.66 million.
Through such measures, the receiver has reduced the Department of Public Works Solid Waste Division's dependence on equipment rentals from $11,000 daily to about $1,400 per day, the report states.
"(These vehicles) together with repairs to the older equipment allowed trash collection crews to complete their routes during one shift for the first time in several years," David Manning, GBB special principle associate, stated in the report.
The consultants also touted the implementation of new containers accepting glass, mixed paper and cardboard for recycling, located at the Agat and Dededo transfer stations and the Ordot dump.
Invoices
To date, GovGuam has paid $1,145,961.79 to Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, according to the latest invoice submitted on Oct. 31. Labor costs for the month of September total more than $173,000.
The firm's expense report consists mostly of per diem, lodging and transportation costs incurred among employees traveling to Guam in order to maintain the firm's constant presence on island.
Among the billable items purchased include a $134 vacuum cleaner and a $21 barbecue grill, according to receipts submitted to the court.
In an e-mail, Manning said the purchases, which are tracked and audited monthly by the court, were cost saving measures intended to bring down restaurant costs and cleaning services for employees' temporary residences.
'Cost-effective'
"This arrangement has been very cost-effective for Guam," he said.
Manning provided correspondence with the court in which detailed reports for the months of July through August indicate that the firm billed GovGuam $14,852.72, which he said is a little more than half the posted U.S. government rates for traveling contractors.
The funds shall be paid from a $2.8 million interest-bearing savings account that GovGuam is required to open in January, according to the order.
United Nations Asked to Probe Plight of Pacific's Indigenous Peoples
From the Website:
Indigenous People's Issues Today:
Five Important Indigenous People's Issues for the Week of April 22 - May 5, 2008
Indigenous Ainu People to Press Demands at G8 Summit
Japan's hosting of the G8 summit in Hokkaido in July will afford a rare opportunity for the Ainu people who live on the island to press their long-standing demand to be recognized as an indigenous people.Officially, for the Jul 7-9 summit of rich nations, Japan’s leaders have said they would like to see global health high on the agenda as also sustainable forest development, climate change and development.But the Ainu have other plans to roll out in Hokkaido at the Jul 1-4 Indigenous Peoples Summit, ahead of the G8 event. "If the government recognizes the Ainu as indigenous people everything would change," said Saki Mina, an Ainu leader, at a press conference here last week.There are about 200,000 Ainu living throughout Japan though most are concentrated in the northern island of Hokkaido. Ainu were once thought of as the remnants of a Caucasoid group but this is yet to be proved. Read the rest of the story here....
United Nations Asked to Probe Plight of Pacific's Indigenous Peoples
Representatives of various indigenous groups in the Pacific region have asked a United Nations panel to sponsor seminars and visiting missions that would look into the rights and situations of the natives of colonized territories, whose environments are said to have been exploited by "foreign superpowers."Environmental destructions through toxic waste dumping, mining and deforestation were among the top issues tackled by indigenous peoples in the Pacific region at the Seventh Session of the United Nation's Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York.Michael Dodson, member of the permanent forum, said indigenous lands and waters were being targeted by industrialized nations for dumping of toxic or radioactive wastes from industrial or military operations, often without informing residents of dangers. Read the rest of the story here....
Indigenous People's Hunger Strikers in Mexico Released from Prisons
After years of asserting their innocence, a group of indigenous Zapatista advocates are free, for now.The Mexican government released 149 political prisoners in the first two weeks of April, including 37 hunger strikers, almost all of whom were indigenous people from Chiapas who had been alleging they were the victims of torture, false imprisonment for political reasons, and other abuses. Another 20 prisoners are still incarcerated in Chiapas and Tabasco, but activists have not relented in their efforts, as further abuses in and outside the prisons are coming to light.The vast majority of the freed prisoners was indigenous activists, and had been imprisoned at some point between 1994 and 2006. They were involved with social change groups such as the Zapatista Other Campaign, the Independent Agricultural Worker and Campesino Center (CIOAC in Spanish) and the Pueblo Creyente (Believing People), a group of indigenous Catholics active in social justice issues. Most of the freed men were from the Tzotzil, Tzeltal, Tojolabal or Chole communities in the Chiapas region. Among the leaders who first came out were Zacario Hernandez, Enrique Hernandez, Pascual Heredia Hernandez, Jose Luis Lopez Sanchez, Ramon Guardaz Cruz and Antonio Diaz Ruiz. Read the rest of the story here....
Hearings of Proposed Tipaimukh Dam Available: Indigenous Peoples Resource
Tipaimukh Dam Public Hearings from 2004 till 2008.The month of March 2008 events two public hearings for proposed Tipaimukh Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project, one at Tipaimukh dam site, Churachandpur District on 31 March 2008 and another at Keimai village, Tamenglong District, Manipur on 26th March 2008, both organized by the Manipur Pollution Control Board. The public hearing at Keimai village registered extraordinary support from the Assam Rifles and the Border Security Forces camps nearby and slaughtering of pigs for handpicked participants by project proponents in both hearings. The first public hearing on Tipaimukh dam project at Darlawn Community Hall, Darlawn, Mizoram on 2 December 2004 was severely criticized for its lack of transparency of the project proponent, North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) and failure to provide vital documents, including Detailed Project Report, Environment Impact Assessment etc.The Tipaimukh Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project, to be constructed 500 Metres downstream from the confluence of Barak and Tuivai rivers, in South-western corner of Manipur over Barak river, with firm generation capacity of 401.25MW, has been one of the most controversial mega developmental projects in Manipur. While the project proponents, the Government of India and Manipur and NEEPCO hailed the project as bearing immense potentials and economic benefits, several issues remained unresolved, primarily the insensitive attitude of the Government and the project proponents to the legitimate concerns of the project affected villagers in the upstream and downstream portion of the Barak River. Find the resource here....
Indigenous People's Voices Demand Climate Justice
In the massive half-moon shaped United Nations conference auditorium filled with hundreds of individuals robed in colorful traditional clothing, jewerly and ceremonial items, a young female’s voice echoes from the center of the room.“We indigenous peoples are emphatic in stating that those primarily responsible for climate change are the governments and companies of the industrialized world,” said Edith Bastidas, executive director of the Centro de Cooperación al Indígena in Bolivia, during a day of testimonies April 22. “[They] are encouraging a production and consumption model that is destroying the biodiversity and natural resources of our Mother Earth.” Catch the rest of the story here....
Indigenous People's Issues Today:
Five Important Indigenous People's Issues for the Week of April 22 - May 5, 2008
Indigenous Ainu People to Press Demands at G8 Summit
Japan's hosting of the G8 summit in Hokkaido in July will afford a rare opportunity for the Ainu people who live on the island to press their long-standing demand to be recognized as an indigenous people.Officially, for the Jul 7-9 summit of rich nations, Japan’s leaders have said they would like to see global health high on the agenda as also sustainable forest development, climate change and development.But the Ainu have other plans to roll out in Hokkaido at the Jul 1-4 Indigenous Peoples Summit, ahead of the G8 event. "If the government recognizes the Ainu as indigenous people everything would change," said Saki Mina, an Ainu leader, at a press conference here last week.There are about 200,000 Ainu living throughout Japan though most are concentrated in the northern island of Hokkaido. Ainu were once thought of as the remnants of a Caucasoid group but this is yet to be proved. Read the rest of the story here....
United Nations Asked to Probe Plight of Pacific's Indigenous Peoples
Representatives of various indigenous groups in the Pacific region have asked a United Nations panel to sponsor seminars and visiting missions that would look into the rights and situations of the natives of colonized territories, whose environments are said to have been exploited by "foreign superpowers."Environmental destructions through toxic waste dumping, mining and deforestation were among the top issues tackled by indigenous peoples in the Pacific region at the Seventh Session of the United Nation's Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York.Michael Dodson, member of the permanent forum, said indigenous lands and waters were being targeted by industrialized nations for dumping of toxic or radioactive wastes from industrial or military operations, often without informing residents of dangers. Read the rest of the story here....
Indigenous People's Hunger Strikers in Mexico Released from Prisons
After years of asserting their innocence, a group of indigenous Zapatista advocates are free, for now.The Mexican government released 149 political prisoners in the first two weeks of April, including 37 hunger strikers, almost all of whom were indigenous people from Chiapas who had been alleging they were the victims of torture, false imprisonment for political reasons, and other abuses. Another 20 prisoners are still incarcerated in Chiapas and Tabasco, but activists have not relented in their efforts, as further abuses in and outside the prisons are coming to light.The vast majority of the freed prisoners was indigenous activists, and had been imprisoned at some point between 1994 and 2006. They were involved with social change groups such as the Zapatista Other Campaign, the Independent Agricultural Worker and Campesino Center (CIOAC in Spanish) and the Pueblo Creyente (Believing People), a group of indigenous Catholics active in social justice issues. Most of the freed men were from the Tzotzil, Tzeltal, Tojolabal or Chole communities in the Chiapas region. Among the leaders who first came out were Zacario Hernandez, Enrique Hernandez, Pascual Heredia Hernandez, Jose Luis Lopez Sanchez, Ramon Guardaz Cruz and Antonio Diaz Ruiz. Read the rest of the story here....
Hearings of Proposed Tipaimukh Dam Available: Indigenous Peoples Resource
Tipaimukh Dam Public Hearings from 2004 till 2008.The month of March 2008 events two public hearings for proposed Tipaimukh Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project, one at Tipaimukh dam site, Churachandpur District on 31 March 2008 and another at Keimai village, Tamenglong District, Manipur on 26th March 2008, both organized by the Manipur Pollution Control Board. The public hearing at Keimai village registered extraordinary support from the Assam Rifles and the Border Security Forces camps nearby and slaughtering of pigs for handpicked participants by project proponents in both hearings. The first public hearing on Tipaimukh dam project at Darlawn Community Hall, Darlawn, Mizoram on 2 December 2004 was severely criticized for its lack of transparency of the project proponent, North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) and failure to provide vital documents, including Detailed Project Report, Environment Impact Assessment etc.The Tipaimukh Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project, to be constructed 500 Metres downstream from the confluence of Barak and Tuivai rivers, in South-western corner of Manipur over Barak river, with firm generation capacity of 401.25MW, has been one of the most controversial mega developmental projects in Manipur. While the project proponents, the Government of India and Manipur and NEEPCO hailed the project as bearing immense potentials and economic benefits, several issues remained unresolved, primarily the insensitive attitude of the Government and the project proponents to the legitimate concerns of the project affected villagers in the upstream and downstream portion of the Barak River. Find the resource here....
Indigenous People's Voices Demand Climate Justice
In the massive half-moon shaped United Nations conference auditorium filled with hundreds of individuals robed in colorful traditional clothing, jewerly and ceremonial items, a young female’s voice echoes from the center of the room.“We indigenous peoples are emphatic in stating that those primarily responsible for climate change are the governments and companies of the industrialized world,” said Edith Bastidas, executive director of the Centro de Cooperación al Indígena in Bolivia, during a day of testimonies April 22. “[They] are encouraging a production and consumption model that is destroying the biodiversity and natural resources of our Mother Earth.” Catch the rest of the story here....
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Nov. 20 - A Critique of the Military Buildup on Guam
The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences in partnership with the Division of Social Work present
A Critique of the Military Build-Up on Guahan
Panelists from community action groups (Guahan Indigenous Collective and Famoksaiyan), community experts, and the committee Chairs of the Civilian Military Task Force will present the pros and cons, critical views, opinions and knowledge concerning the ongoing military buildup of troops, personnel and civilian contractors on Guahan.
November 20, 2008
CLASS Lecture Hall
University of Guam
5:30-7:30PM
A Critique of the Military Build-Up on Guahan
Panelists from community action groups (Guahan Indigenous Collective and Famoksaiyan), community experts, and the committee Chairs of the Civilian Military Task Force will present the pros and cons, critical views, opinions and knowledge concerning the ongoing military buildup of troops, personnel and civilian contractors on Guahan.
November 20, 2008
CLASS Lecture Hall
University of Guam
5:30-7:30PM
19 Beaches on Guam Listed as Unsafe This Weekend
19 beaches listed as unsafe by Guam EPA
By Jason Salas
Published Nov 15, 2008
If you're headed out to one of Guam's beaches this weekend an astounding 19 public beaches, reaching from as far north as Harmon to down south in Umatac, have been cited by the Guam Environmental Protection Agency as being unsafe. They include East Hagatna Bay, the Asan Bay Beach, Padre Palomo Park, Umatac Bay, Southern Christian Academy Beach and the Merizo Pier.
You're advised not to swim or fish in any of these waters, as doing so could cause serious illness.
By Jason Salas
Published Nov 15, 2008
If you're headed out to one of Guam's beaches this weekend an astounding 19 public beaches, reaching from as far north as Harmon to down south in Umatac, have been cited by the Guam Environmental Protection Agency as being unsafe. They include East Hagatna Bay, the Asan Bay Beach, Padre Palomo Park, Umatac Bay, Southern Christian Academy Beach and the Merizo Pier.
You're advised not to swim or fish in any of these waters, as doing so could cause serious illness.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Ex-speaker Rasa says federalization task force useless
Wednesday, 12 November 2008 00:00 By Junhan B. Todeno - Variety News Staff
INSTEAD of appointing “federalization liaison members,” legislators should support the lawsuit filed by Gov. Benigno R. Fitial against the implementation of U.S. P.L. 11-229, which will extend federal immigration law to the islands in June 200.
The spokesman and adviser of the CNMI Descents for Self-Government and Indigenous Rights, former Speaker Oscar Rasa, said legislators should also request the newly elected congressional delegate to introduce legislation that will address the impact of federalization on the local economy.
Rasa, in an interview yesterday, criticized the creation of the task force by the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The task force will conduct public hearings, make official inquiries on the federalization law, and keep the Legislature informed of any development on the drafting of the regulations.
Rasa said the task force is a “redundancy.”
“This is nothing but political posturing and grandstanding,” he added.
He said the Legislature should have conducted a hearing before the enactment of U.S. P.L. 110-229.
‘Why create a task force when federalization has already been passed?” he asked.
Legislators, he added, should now address the job security of local Immigration personnel who will lose their job once federalization is implemented.
According to the resolution creating the task force, the legislators said they want “to be an informed participant, in collaboration with concerned public and private entities, in the development of [U.S. Public Law] 110-229 regulations as they pertain to the CNMI.”
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial said negotiation is futile since the federal takeover of local immigration is now law.
According to Rasa, the governor’s lawsuit is directed against the “immigration, security and labor provisions of U.S. P.L. 110-229.
Fitial wants to show how much will the CNMI lose as a result of the implementation of the law, Rasa said. He said his group supports the lawsuit as it will uphold local self-government and prevent the indigenous population from being marginalized.
INSTEAD of appointing “federalization liaison members,” legislators should support the lawsuit filed by Gov. Benigno R. Fitial against the implementation of U.S. P.L. 11-229, which will extend federal immigration law to the islands in June 200.
The spokesman and adviser of the CNMI Descents for Self-Government and Indigenous Rights, former Speaker Oscar Rasa, said legislators should also request the newly elected congressional delegate to introduce legislation that will address the impact of federalization on the local economy.
Rasa, in an interview yesterday, criticized the creation of the task force by the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The task force will conduct public hearings, make official inquiries on the federalization law, and keep the Legislature informed of any development on the drafting of the regulations.
Rasa said the task force is a “redundancy.”
“This is nothing but political posturing and grandstanding,” he added.
He said the Legislature should have conducted a hearing before the enactment of U.S. P.L. 110-229.
‘Why create a task force when federalization has already been passed?” he asked.
Legislators, he added, should now address the job security of local Immigration personnel who will lose their job once federalization is implemented.
According to the resolution creating the task force, the legislators said they want “to be an informed participant, in collaboration with concerned public and private entities, in the development of [U.S. Public Law] 110-229 regulations as they pertain to the CNMI.”
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial said negotiation is futile since the federal takeover of local immigration is now law.
According to Rasa, the governor’s lawsuit is directed against the “immigration, security and labor provisions of U.S. P.L. 110-229.
Fitial wants to show how much will the CNMI lose as a result of the implementation of the law, Rasa said. He said his group supports the lawsuit as it will uphold local self-government and prevent the indigenous population from being marginalized.
Report: Depression under federalization
Wednesday, 12 November 2008 00:00 By Junhan B. Todeno - Variety News Staff
UNDER a federalized immigration system, the CNMI economy will lose approximately 44 percent of its real gross domestic product, 60 percent of its jobs, and 45 percent of its real personal income by 2015, according to a report commissioned by the governor.
“Unequivocally, this is a depression of great magnitude. It is equivalent to turning back the clock for the CNMI economy to 1985,” stated the report which was funded by a grant from the Office of Insular Affairs of the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Malcolm D. McPhee & Associates and Dick Conway, an economic development and research services based in Sequin, Washington, submitted the report on Oct. 31 to Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and to U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne.
Fitial has sued the federal government to prevent the implementation of the federalization law in June 2009.
Garment factories
According to the report, the demise of the local garment industry, which cannot compete with China’s cheap labor, resulted in the lost of more than 11,000 jobs in the CNMI.
In 2007, total employment fell by 35.6 percent drop from 2004.
In a short span of three years, the CNMI lost one-third of its economy, one that took more than 20 years to build, the report said.
Federalization, the report added, will compound the CNMI’s economic woes.
“The immigration measure could prove troublesome for the visitor industry, now the CNMI’s only driving force is the economy, because about 70 percent of its workers are non-U.S. citizens,” the report added.
“The outlook for the CNMI economy is bleak.”
According to the report, the last garment factory is expected to close in 2009, and the visitor industry, after one or two good years, will have to grapple with a declining workforce as foreign workers are forced to leave the islands under the federalization law.
“Even if local residents are willing to take the low wage jobs in hotels, restaurants, and retail stores — an assumption with little basis in past experience — the visitor industry will face a labor shortage,” the report said.
Recommendation
The report recommends the repeal of the federal statutes extending the U.S. minimum wage and immigration laws to the CNMI.
The CNMI, it added, should also seek federal assistance to small investors, and consider amending its Covenant with the U.S.
The CNMI, the report said, needs a law that recognizes the realities of its current economic situation and provides the necessary tools for recovery.
Future scenarios
The report said under the best of circumstances, business revenue and employment in the visitor industry will likely decline by 20 percent between 2010 and 2015.
Short of spending tens of millions of dollars to shore up education, healthcare, and other government functions, there is little that can be done to improve the local economy, the report stated.
Federalization, it added, will drive up production cost and cap the supply of labor in the CNMI economy — this will preclude any meaningful economic development in the future.
In contrast, the report stated, the return of reasonable local control over immigration and the minimum wage will allow the visitor industry to expand, making up for some of the jobs lost during the downturn of the apparel industry.
Labor mobility is just as essential to economic development and growth as is the mobility of capital, goods and services, and technology, the report stated.
“It might be said that the quicker way to ruin a small isolated island economy and prevent any real chance of recovery is to cut off its supply of labor,” the report added.
UNDER a federalized immigration system, the CNMI economy will lose approximately 44 percent of its real gross domestic product, 60 percent of its jobs, and 45 percent of its real personal income by 2015, according to a report commissioned by the governor.
“Unequivocally, this is a depression of great magnitude. It is equivalent to turning back the clock for the CNMI economy to 1985,” stated the report which was funded by a grant from the Office of Insular Affairs of the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Malcolm D. McPhee & Associates and Dick Conway, an economic development and research services based in Sequin, Washington, submitted the report on Oct. 31 to Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and to U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne.
Fitial has sued the federal government to prevent the implementation of the federalization law in June 2009.
Garment factories
According to the report, the demise of the local garment industry, which cannot compete with China’s cheap labor, resulted in the lost of more than 11,000 jobs in the CNMI.
In 2007, total employment fell by 35.6 percent drop from 2004.
In a short span of three years, the CNMI lost one-third of its economy, one that took more than 20 years to build, the report said.
Federalization, the report added, will compound the CNMI’s economic woes.
“The immigration measure could prove troublesome for the visitor industry, now the CNMI’s only driving force is the economy, because about 70 percent of its workers are non-U.S. citizens,” the report added.
“The outlook for the CNMI economy is bleak.”
According to the report, the last garment factory is expected to close in 2009, and the visitor industry, after one or two good years, will have to grapple with a declining workforce as foreign workers are forced to leave the islands under the federalization law.
“Even if local residents are willing to take the low wage jobs in hotels, restaurants, and retail stores — an assumption with little basis in past experience — the visitor industry will face a labor shortage,” the report said.
Recommendation
The report recommends the repeal of the federal statutes extending the U.S. minimum wage and immigration laws to the CNMI.
The CNMI, it added, should also seek federal assistance to small investors, and consider amending its Covenant with the U.S.
The CNMI, the report said, needs a law that recognizes the realities of its current economic situation and provides the necessary tools for recovery.
Future scenarios
The report said under the best of circumstances, business revenue and employment in the visitor industry will likely decline by 20 percent between 2010 and 2015.
Short of spending tens of millions of dollars to shore up education, healthcare, and other government functions, there is little that can be done to improve the local economy, the report stated.
Federalization, it added, will drive up production cost and cap the supply of labor in the CNMI economy — this will preclude any meaningful economic development in the future.
In contrast, the report stated, the return of reasonable local control over immigration and the minimum wage will allow the visitor industry to expand, making up for some of the jobs lost during the downturn of the apparel industry.
Labor mobility is just as essential to economic development and growth as is the mobility of capital, goods and services, and technology, the report stated.
“It might be said that the quicker way to ruin a small isolated island economy and prevent any real chance of recovery is to cut off its supply of labor,” the report added.
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