Council vows increased role in buildup preparation

Council vows increased role in buildup preparation

Wednesday, 20 January 2010 03:02
by Zita Y. Taitano | Variety News Staff

DEDEDO mayor Melissa Savares, the newly inducted president of the Mayors Council, said yesterday village leaders will keep their active participation in the community’s preparations for the military buildup.

“We continue to be involved in the dialogue of the move of the U.S. Marines and their families and additional contract workers from Okinawa to Guam in the coming years,” Savares said in a speech during the induction of the council’s new officers at the Asan/Maina Community Center.

She also encouraged esidents to read and provide comments on the draft environmental impact statement.

“The growth of our island population will definitely impact our villages, be it heavy traffic congestion on our village roads, the overcrowding of our schools or by the neighbors who continue to move into the house next door. Whichever it may be, we as residents of Guam will definitely be affected,” Savares added.

The Dededo mayor succeeded Agat mayor Carol Tayama, who described her stint at the council as “a very fruitful year for all of us.”

“Though there are many projects and programs that we want to pursue, we accomplished much in 2009,” Tayama said, adding she will continue to work with the new officers in 2010.

“These are exciting and serious times we and our people are facing today. As mayors and vice mayors we have always been on the forefront of the issues facing our island. 2010, will be no different. It’s just we need to give our new officers support and assistance in making 2010 another banner year for the people of Guam,” she said.

The newly inducted officers are Savares, president; Sinajana vice mayor Robert Hoffman, vice president; Tamuning/Tumon/Harmon vice mayor Louise Rivera, secretary; Inarajan mayor Franklin Taitague, treasurer; Hagatna mayor John Cruz, sergeant-at-arms.

In her speech, Savares also emphasized the importance of recycling, citing her village’s efforts to promote the program among her constituents as one example.