Longer speaking time sought

Longer speaking time sought

Tuesday, 12 January 2010 02:59
by Therese Hart | Variety News Staff

LAWMAKERS met with Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo's staff delegation yesterday to discuss the draft environmental impact statement and the public meetings being held around the island.

Lawmakers noted that the three-minute talk limit allotted to each person who testifies in public hearings is not enough to allow people to express their concerns.

Noting that about 90 percent of the testimonies were negative, the lawmakers want to make sure that the public hearings were not just a “dog and pony show.” They sought assurance that decisions have not been finalized. Otherwise, they said, the public comment process was just a waste of time and just a federal ploy to make the people of Guam believe their concerns will be taken seriously.

Bordallo's staff attended the Yigo meeting held last night at the village's gymnasium to hear what the general public had to say about the draft impact report.

A staff member from Bordallo's Guam office said the Washington staffers will take the information back with them and brief Bordallo on the outcome of the meetings.

Gloria Nelson, a resident of Yigo who testified at the hearing last night, said she received a phone call from Bordallo a few days ago, reassuring her that she will fight against any plan to condemn lands.

The congressional staff delegation was led by Brian Modeste, staff director of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife, chaired by Bordallo.

Other members on the staff delegation are Jed Bullock, legislative staff on Insular Affairs; Bonnie Bruce, Republican professional staff; LCDR Ron Valencia, U.S. Navy Legislative Liaison Office; and Randall Ackerman, Department of Defense fellow from Bordallo's office in D.C.