Head of Guam EPA shows at oversight hearing
Posted: May 21, 2010 4:44 PM
KUAM NEWS
by Nick Delgado
Guam - Lawmakers spent the afternoon questioning budget officials as well as village mayors before grilling Guam Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lorilee Crisostomo about how she's been operating her agency.
"Alarm bells are now sounding in Guam, and they are sounding because of the state of the Guam Environmental Protection Agency. The concerns are being presented by a broad cross-section of the community, ranging from grassroots people to business leaders and most especially by the Environmental Protection Agency," said oversight chairman Senator Rory Respicio (D).
Respicio called for today's oversight hearing on the Guam EPA after a scathing financial mismanagement report surfaced from the environmental agencies federal counterparts. Respicio during today's hearing said the oversight is necessary so that they can prevent an environmental disaster from occurring, something the senator says is possible with the way things are currently operating at the Guam EPA. The federal report stated a lack of communication with the USEPA and the Bureau of Budget Management & Research.
BBMR Director Bertha Duenas says however she has said from the beginning that she anticipates financial troubles for the Guam EPA. "We knew that the payroll alone was over $2 million and the next award wasn't until April, then it's pretty easy to see without too much math that we're going to run out of money soon in October."
BBMR is now working out the issues stated in the USEPA report.
But after about two-and-a-half hours of not being given the opportunity to speak, senators flooded Crisostomo with criticism and questions, as lawmakers feel the agency may be on the brink of federal receivership. It's an issue Respicio called Crisostomo out on, as he anticipates the problems at the agency will only get worse with the impending military buildup.
Respicio said, "What concerns me is it took USEPA to call out the DoD to say that the Draft Environmental Impact Statement gave it the worst grade ever, you were pretty silent throughout that whole process." Crisostomo replied, "We are just one of the government agencies, we are not the cooperative agency for the NEPA process our voice is just as much as your voice in the NEPA process, but we do an extensive review."
Although Crisostomo has called the federal report "inaccurate", the agency is reviewing the recommendations in the report to determine if it's possible for them to comply with.
When asked about the illegal dump fire in Yigo and the Notice of Violation issued against the property owner, Joseph Taitano, she said although it happened before her time. She followed-up and the matter, she reassured, is sitting with the AG's Office for further action.
Meanwhile, Senator Respicio said it seemed as though Crisostomo had an excuse for everything and added that today's hearing was not a witch hunt.
Showing posts with label Rory. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rory. Show all posts
Friday, May 21, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Legalizing Marijuana on Guam?
Legalizing marijuana strongly considered
Posted: Mar 29, 2010 4:15 PM
Updated: Mar 30, 2010 8:36 AM
KUAM News
by Heather Hauswirth
Guam - The state of California is one state that has approved of tolerating medicinal cannabis use - but it appears that the Golden State is now inching towards full legalization for individuals who are at least 21 years old. In fact, the initiative will be on a November ballot largely prompted in part by the state's budgetary deficit.
While some critics call marijuana a "gateway drug" that would merely exacerbate the drug culture, proponents argue decriminalization can save a state or territory, millions of dollars in public safety costs incurred when individuals are put in jail. Following the untimely death of Yona resident Vincent Peredo, partly attributed to stealing marijuana, one lawmaker is now considering introducing legislation similar to California's, saying the community must take a close look at the implications of decriminalizing the drug or tolerating medical users.
"Attorneys have gone on record saying in their thirty-some years of experience, they've never known anyone killed for marijuana, and there is probably some more to with that story," noted Senator Rory Respicio. The recent news that the murder of a Yona man was linked to stealing marijuana sent many in the community into shock and prompted the Democrat policymaker to consider the merits of de-criminalizing the drug.
"I don't want that issue to crowd what we are attempting to do because there is probably value in moving forward and attempting to legalize marijuana," the senator added. The added value the lawmaker is referring to includes looking beyond medicinal applications to the potential economic benefits that would stem from taxing and developing this industry as the state of California is considering.
He said, "It does have medicinal value, it's the same doctors and now economists saying beyond medicinal value, you can have an economic value to this."
Currently marijuana usage of any kind is illegal on island, but Dr. Chris Dombrowski is a family physician on Guam and a long time advocate for medical cannabis usage. He told KUAM News, "I would use cannabis in the way a lot of physicians use the benzodiazepines, Xanax or Calium, I would say fifteen percent of my patients would do well on cannabis." Dr. Dombrowski adds in this way it would serve as an anti anxiety agent, muscle relaxer and help with insomnia.
Senator Respicio says he knows it will spark debate.
Several island citizens responded to the question of whether he'd support the substance's legalization, with Flores Abina saying, "I would say no because it would cause more problems and more planting of marijuana." Asako Megofna added, "It's not for medicine, they use it to make them crazy. I've seen kids taking marijuana, but they are worse, they don't have respect," and Damaris Simeon said, "If it's for medical reasons, then yeah it should be okay.
Senator Respicio says he is interested in the response of the community to the issue noting his staff is currently deciding how to peruse this - either as an initiative or a bill that would authorize implementation within 30 days.
Senator Respicio hasn't decided yet whether he will introduce the legalization of marijuana in the form of a bill or an initiative.
Posted: Mar 29, 2010 4:15 PM
Updated: Mar 30, 2010 8:36 AM
KUAM News
by Heather Hauswirth
Guam - The state of California is one state that has approved of tolerating medicinal cannabis use - but it appears that the Golden State is now inching towards full legalization for individuals who are at least 21 years old. In fact, the initiative will be on a November ballot largely prompted in part by the state's budgetary deficit.
While some critics call marijuana a "gateway drug" that would merely exacerbate the drug culture, proponents argue decriminalization can save a state or territory, millions of dollars in public safety costs incurred when individuals are put in jail. Following the untimely death of Yona resident Vincent Peredo, partly attributed to stealing marijuana, one lawmaker is now considering introducing legislation similar to California's, saying the community must take a close look at the implications of decriminalizing the drug or tolerating medical users.
"Attorneys have gone on record saying in their thirty-some years of experience, they've never known anyone killed for marijuana, and there is probably some more to with that story," noted Senator Rory Respicio. The recent news that the murder of a Yona man was linked to stealing marijuana sent many in the community into shock and prompted the Democrat policymaker to consider the merits of de-criminalizing the drug.
"I don't want that issue to crowd what we are attempting to do because there is probably value in moving forward and attempting to legalize marijuana," the senator added. The added value the lawmaker is referring to includes looking beyond medicinal applications to the potential economic benefits that would stem from taxing and developing this industry as the state of California is considering.
He said, "It does have medicinal value, it's the same doctors and now economists saying beyond medicinal value, you can have an economic value to this."
Currently marijuana usage of any kind is illegal on island, but Dr. Chris Dombrowski is a family physician on Guam and a long time advocate for medical cannabis usage. He told KUAM News, "I would use cannabis in the way a lot of physicians use the benzodiazepines, Xanax or Calium, I would say fifteen percent of my patients would do well on cannabis." Dr. Dombrowski adds in this way it would serve as an anti anxiety agent, muscle relaxer and help with insomnia.
Senator Respicio says he knows it will spark debate.
Several island citizens responded to the question of whether he'd support the substance's legalization, with Flores Abina saying, "I would say no because it would cause more problems and more planting of marijuana." Asako Megofna added, "It's not for medicine, they use it to make them crazy. I've seen kids taking marijuana, but they are worse, they don't have respect," and Damaris Simeon said, "If it's for medical reasons, then yeah it should be okay.
Senator Respicio says he is interested in the response of the community to the issue noting his staff is currently deciding how to peruse this - either as an initiative or a bill that would authorize implementation within 30 days.
Senator Respicio hasn't decided yet whether he will introduce the legalization of marijuana in the form of a bill or an initiative.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Federal Receiver in Possible Violation at Layon
Federal receiver in possible violation
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
by Therese Hart
Marianas Variety News
THE Guam Environmental Protection Agency is conducting an investigation into the earthwork project at the Layon landfill site, after receiving aerial photos of the landscape, clearly showing some kind of drainage system or culvert where water is being diverted to.
Conchita Taitano, administrator of the Air and Land division, said yesterday that her administrator, Lorilee Crisostomo, passed on a letter sent by Sen. Rory Respicio addressing his concerns regarding recent activities at the landfill site.
Taitano said yesterday that she was very concerned and has contacted GEPA’s water division to investigate. She also e-mailed federal receiver, Gershman, Brickner & Bratton for a response and is awaiting word from the company representative, Chris Lund.
Variety asked Taitano, who had reviewed the photos, if she could tell by the photos whether the apparent water was just rain run-off settling into the new pond or if the groundwater had been reached during the earthmoving process and was now filling the depression.
The administrator of the Air and Land division at GEPA also stated that she could not comment, by “just looking at a photo,” but did say that GEPA is delving into the matter.
“Is that rain water or is that water that was dug up and is filling? I don’t know the answer at this point in time. The administrator gave me the letter last week. I scanned it. I emailed the letter to our water division to investigate this. I also emailed GBB to explain this,” a clearly concerned Taitano told Variety.
The aerial photos clearly show two huge pipes attached to an apparatus of some sort, as well as four excavators.
“Particularly odd is the need for excavators,” said Senator Respicio. The senator believes that such equipment is not required for the type of earthworks the federal receiver should be doing at the site at this point in time.
“There are many questions raised by this photograph,” he said. Taitano would seem to agree.
“It’s obvious in the photos that there are pipes down there. The question needs to be asked--is water being drained out of there? And where is the water coming from? Is the water coming down from higher ground or did someone hit the groundwater? I don’t know at this time,” said Taitano.
TG Engineers is clearing the earth for the construction of Cells 1 and 2 of the new landfill. The contractor is behind schedule, but that is not unusual during the early stages of such work, according to a report filed with the court by the federal receiver.
Speaker Judi Won Pat said that she had spoken to Taitano as well to express her concern about what is taking place in Inarajan.
“It was my understanding that as the earthwork is being done, there would be no contact with the groundwater. I don’t know what’s going on down there, but the concerns are valid and we must get clarification from the federal receiver about what’s happening,” said Won Pat.
Won Pat reiterated her feelings about groundwater that could possibly be used for residents in the south being contaminated because of the new landfill development.
“I don’t want to jump the gun, but every effort must be taken to address all these concerns. I await the response from Guam EPA,” said the speaker.
Respicio said that Guam EPA has the responsibility to ensure that the companies that have received permits perform only those functions that their permits allow.
The aerial photographs were attributed to local photographer Steve Hardy; however, Respicio said he did not commission the flight or engage the photographer. It is still unclear why the photos were taken in the first place.
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
by Therese Hart
Marianas Variety News
THE Guam Environmental Protection Agency is conducting an investigation into the earthwork project at the Layon landfill site, after receiving aerial photos of the landscape, clearly showing some kind of drainage system or culvert where water is being diverted to.
Conchita Taitano, administrator of the Air and Land division, said yesterday that her administrator, Lorilee Crisostomo, passed on a letter sent by Sen. Rory Respicio addressing his concerns regarding recent activities at the landfill site.
Taitano said yesterday that she was very concerned and has contacted GEPA’s water division to investigate. She also e-mailed federal receiver, Gershman, Brickner & Bratton for a response and is awaiting word from the company representative, Chris Lund.
Variety asked Taitano, who had reviewed the photos, if she could tell by the photos whether the apparent water was just rain run-off settling into the new pond or if the groundwater had been reached during the earthmoving process and was now filling the depression.
The administrator of the Air and Land division at GEPA also stated that she could not comment, by “just looking at a photo,” but did say that GEPA is delving into the matter.
“Is that rain water or is that water that was dug up and is filling? I don’t know the answer at this point in time. The administrator gave me the letter last week. I scanned it. I emailed the letter to our water division to investigate this. I also emailed GBB to explain this,” a clearly concerned Taitano told Variety.
The aerial photos clearly show two huge pipes attached to an apparatus of some sort, as well as four excavators.
“Particularly odd is the need for excavators,” said Senator Respicio. The senator believes that such equipment is not required for the type of earthworks the federal receiver should be doing at the site at this point in time.
“There are many questions raised by this photograph,” he said. Taitano would seem to agree.
“It’s obvious in the photos that there are pipes down there. The question needs to be asked--is water being drained out of there? And where is the water coming from? Is the water coming down from higher ground or did someone hit the groundwater? I don’t know at this time,” said Taitano.
TG Engineers is clearing the earth for the construction of Cells 1 and 2 of the new landfill. The contractor is behind schedule, but that is not unusual during the early stages of such work, according to a report filed with the court by the federal receiver.
Speaker Judi Won Pat said that she had spoken to Taitano as well to express her concern about what is taking place in Inarajan.
“It was my understanding that as the earthwork is being done, there would be no contact with the groundwater. I don’t know what’s going on down there, but the concerns are valid and we must get clarification from the federal receiver about what’s happening,” said Won Pat.
Won Pat reiterated her feelings about groundwater that could possibly be used for residents in the south being contaminated because of the new landfill development.
“I don’t want to jump the gun, but every effort must be taken to address all these concerns. I await the response from Guam EPA,” said the speaker.
Respicio said that Guam EPA has the responsibility to ensure that the companies that have received permits perform only those functions that their permits allow.
The aerial photographs were attributed to local photographer Steve Hardy; however, Respicio said he did not commission the flight or engage the photographer. It is still unclear why the photos were taken in the first place.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Legislature Approves Gatewood Lawsuit
MARIANAS VARIETY
Senators OK Lawsuit vs Gatewood
Wednesday, 20 May 2009 23:32 by Therese Hart
THE legislative committee on rules on Tuesday voted to adopt Vice Speaker B.J. Cruz’s resolution that endorses a legal action against federal court chief judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood to challenge her March 20 contempt order against the government of Guam.
The adoption of Resolution 114 authorizes the legislature to move forward with filing the action in the Ninth Circuit against Tydingco-Gatewood.
Resolution 114 was adopted by eight affirmative votes, one more than the minimum number of votes required to make it the official position of the 30th Guam Legislature.
The Committee on Rules is the legislative standing committee authorized to act on behalf of the legislature when the body is not in session. This panel, chaired by Sen. Rory Respicio, has jurisdiction over matters relating to the defense or initiation of court action on behalf of the legislature.
The district court used the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution to make null and void Section 6 of Public Law 30-1.
Section 6, prohibition on payments without appropriations states that the legislature asserts its authority to appropriate funds and determine the conditions for expending such appropriations.
After the government was held in contempt, it paid out over $5 million in weekly cash payments to federal receiver Gershman, Bricker & Bratton to fund the consent decree projects.
Prior to the vote, Respicio wrote to his colleagues, saying that Cruz has commissioned legal work on the merits of bringing a case against the district court.
The issue centers on the powers of the legislature and “it is our duty and obligation to defend an institution to which we were elected, and tasked with upholding the laws of the Constitution of the United States,” Respicio wrote.
Respicio said Cruz “has expressed his strong belief that we have faithfully done just that, in spite of the Chief Judge’s statement that we “resorted to frivolous modes of self-help, such as enacting patently unconstitutional laws…”
Committee members who voted to adopt Resolution 114 were Cruz, Respicio, Speaker Judi Won Pat, Sens. Judi Gutherz, Tina Muna-Barnes, Frank Aguon Jr., Adolpho Palacios, and Frank Blas Jr.
Senators OK Lawsuit vs Gatewood
Wednesday, 20 May 2009 23:32 by Therese Hart
THE legislative committee on rules on Tuesday voted to adopt Vice Speaker B.J. Cruz’s resolution that endorses a legal action against federal court chief judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood to challenge her March 20 contempt order against the government of Guam.
The adoption of Resolution 114 authorizes the legislature to move forward with filing the action in the Ninth Circuit against Tydingco-Gatewood.
Resolution 114 was adopted by eight affirmative votes, one more than the minimum number of votes required to make it the official position of the 30th Guam Legislature.
The Committee on Rules is the legislative standing committee authorized to act on behalf of the legislature when the body is not in session. This panel, chaired by Sen. Rory Respicio, has jurisdiction over matters relating to the defense or initiation of court action on behalf of the legislature.
The district court used the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution to make null and void Section 6 of Public Law 30-1.
Section 6, prohibition on payments without appropriations states that the legislature asserts its authority to appropriate funds and determine the conditions for expending such appropriations.
After the government was held in contempt, it paid out over $5 million in weekly cash payments to federal receiver Gershman, Bricker & Bratton to fund the consent decree projects.
Prior to the vote, Respicio wrote to his colleagues, saying that Cruz has commissioned legal work on the merits of bringing a case against the district court.
The issue centers on the powers of the legislature and “it is our duty and obligation to defend an institution to which we were elected, and tasked with upholding the laws of the Constitution of the United States,” Respicio wrote.
Respicio said Cruz “has expressed his strong belief that we have faithfully done just that, in spite of the Chief Judge’s statement that we “resorted to frivolous modes of self-help, such as enacting patently unconstitutional laws…”
Committee members who voted to adopt Resolution 114 were Cruz, Respicio, Speaker Judi Won Pat, Sens. Judi Gutherz, Tina Muna-Barnes, Frank Aguon Jr., Adolpho Palacios, and Frank Blas Jr.
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