Commission on Decolonization Meets this Week

By Nick Delgado from KUAM.com

Guam - It was established 15 years ago and for the first time in several years the Commission on Decolonization will be meeting. The 24th Guam Legislature created the Commission to examine the various political status options for Guam, which included status quo, statehood and commonwealth.

The meeting will be held at Adelup Friday, September 23 at 9 in the morning. Island leaders have long argued Guam must settle the question of its political status.

Adelup officials violate Mini-Hatch Act

FRIDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 2011 08:25 BY THERESE HART | VARIETY NEWS STAFF

AN EMAIL sent by Governor Eddie Baza Calvo’s Chief of Staff Franklin Arriola and Special Assistant Jadeen Tuncap on Sept. 14 urging political appointees of the governor and Cabinet members to attend Republican Senator Chris Duenas’ lunch fundraiser and a Guam War Survivors Memorial Foundation fundraiser sponsored by Senator Frank Blas Jr., yesterday, is in violation of the Mini-Hatch Act.

The message was sent by Arriola and Tuncap using their government of Guam email account, and was sent to GovGuam email accounts of Cabinet members and Executive appointees.

The email message read: “Cabinet Members and Senior Staff: Senator (Frank) Blas and Senator (Chris) Duenas were staunch supporters of Governor Calvo’s budget and bond proposals. They were intimately involved and engaged with Governor Calvo throughout this difficult, but hugely successful, endeavor. It is imperative that all of us reciprocate the support, Governor Calvo, Lt. Governor Tenorio and I look forward to seeing all of you at these two fine events. Frank.”
Arriola spoke to Variety and said he was very apologetic and it was a mistake.

“As far as the issue at hand, I wanted to make a comment on that. I’m a good guy. When I did this, it did not dawn on me at all. As I looked and I thought about it, I made a mistake, no question about it. For the public, I apologize. I’m sorry. The people of Guam deserve the truth. I made a mistake and if I offended anyone, I’m sorry.”

Troy Torres, the governor’s director of communications, said: “After looking at the law, it appears this is a Mini-Hatch violation and it’s something that was an honest mistake Frank made. Frank thought that because he was sending this only to political appointees and Cabinet members, that he was following the Mini-Hatch Act.”

Torres added: “He used his personal computer to send this out, he didn’t realize that sending it from his email account that he used was in violation of the Mini-Hatch Act. He is very apologetic for that.”

The law

Under 4 Guam Code Annotated, Chapter 5, prohibited activity, specific activity in which employees are prohibited from participating include, but are not limited to: organizing, selling tickets to, seeking support for or actively participating in a fund-raising activity of a political party, partisan political organization or candidate.

Another section of the law states it is illegal for employees to use government supplies or government facilities for the benefit of any political party, partisan political organization or candidate, and this includes the government of Guam’s email system.

The law further reads that whether a GovGuam employee or not, no person can solicit or receive a contribution or distribute literature for any political purpose in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties by any person employed by the Executive, Legislative or Judicial Branches of the government. Soliciting a contribution includes solicitation by letter or circular address to and delivered to an employee in said room or building. Any person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Anyone who believes an employee has violated the Mini-Hatch Act should report the matter to the Civil Service Commission, who will decide whether the alleged violation warrants an investigation.

Hundreds participate in ROD Rally

by Lannie Walker from KUAM.com

Guam - Hundreds showed up on the front lawn of Adelup late Friday afternoon to take part in a "ROD Rally" hosted by community advocacy group We are Guahan. For those that attended, the acronym this time stood not for "Record of Decision", but for "Realizing our Destiny."

We are Guahan member Moneka De Oro says "Realizing Our Destiny" means finds finding Guam's roots and taking hold of the power the people have to shape the military buildup. Speaker Judi Won Pat was found in the crowd and reiterated De Oro's sentiment, adding that it is important for island politicians to take a stand on the buildup.

While it was not a political rally per se, many senators could be seen shaking hands and visiting with constituents their presence at the rally presumably showing where they stand on the issue. The mood was festive, tents where set up and lived music played. (At one point, everyone joined hands forming a gigantic circle that took up almost the entire front lawn of the Governor's Complex.)

Although the tone was upbeat, Vietnam veteran Al Lizama told KUAM News the United States had treated the Chamorro people as slaves, and that he is very upset about the Record of Decision detailing the military's plans for the island, and the plans by the U.S. Government to take more land on Guam.

Adelup wants to get youth informed of DEIS

Adelup wants to get youth informed of DEIS

Posted: Jan 27, 2010 2:55 PM
Updated: Jan 27, 2010 2:55 PM

by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - The Governor's Office, in conjunction with Guam public broadcast station KGTF and the Bureau of Statistics and Plans is spearheading efforts to get Guam's youth involved in sifting through the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Director Tony Lamorena says their mission is to engage high school students in discussions about the military buildup because these individuals are going to be a part of the workforce when the movement of U.S. Marines to Guam occurs.

Lamorena said, "We want them to be a part of the process. We want to hear their comments, what their issues are and what their concerns are. What we're doing is on February 5, we're hosting an event. We're working with the Department of Education and all the private schools to identify because of space availability, a number of students at their respective schools."

From February 8-10, Lamorena says local officials from agencies involved in natural resources and the environment will be at various campuses around the island to educate the youth about the impacts as a result of the buildup.

Adelup DEIS workshop draws crowd

Adelup DEIS workshop draws crowd

Posted: Jan 19, 2010 8:57 PM PST
by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - The Draft Environmental Impact Statement continues to draw in the crowds. During Tuesday night's village workshop in Yigo, hosted by the Governor's Office, several residents showed up to share their concerns about the proposed buildup of troops.

One such resident proclaimed, "I can't emphasize enough governor, if at all possible if the Prime Minister of Japan is needing until may to reexamine the relocation of the Marines from Okinawa to Guam, then I think perhaps that you could write a letter sir asking for a similar extensions. Furthermore, sir, a concern template for what could potentially happen to the island of Guam that we all love is the unfortunate situation that's happening in Okinawa, not only the people, but to the environment - to the land."

The governor's hired consultant, the Matrix Design Group, is leading the workshops aimed at providing information to the public about the DEIS. Another workshop is scheduled to be held this evening at the Mangilao Senior Citizens Center. It wraps up at 8:30pm.

Adelup to host DEIS forum

Adelup to host DEIS forum

Monday, 18 January 2010 03:43
Variety News Staff

(Adelup) -- As part of Gov. Felix P. Camacho’s “One Island, One Vision, One Future” initiative, the Office of the Governor will be hosting two public presentations describing the military build up draft environmental impact statement key actions, impacts and mitigation measures.

The format of these workshops will provide the public an opportunity to ask questions and obtain further information about the draft study.

"I fully understand that we as a people stand at one of the most critical moments in our island’s history,” the governor said. “While Guam will experience unprecedented growth over the next several years, our people must have an opportunity to participate in critical discussions that will help shape our future.”

The first presentation will be held tomorrow at the Yigo Senior Citizens Center from 6 p.m. to 8:30pm. Another presentation will follow on Wednesday at the Mangilao Senior Citizens Center also from 6 p.m. to 8:30 pm.

“We can affect the outcome by understanding how the build up will impact not only our lives, but the lives of our children, and generations to come,” Camacho said. “The Advisory Consulting Team has summarized key components of this ongoing review and I urge the people of Guam to attend the presentations and provide effective comments.”

The workshop presentations are designed to provide an overview of key issues identified in the draft study and to help residents better understand the implications of the military build up.

“My administration remains firmly committed to representing the interests of our people,” Camacho said. “We all share our island’s resources; what happens here affects all of us. This is yet another opportunity to gain understanding and submit comments that will require a response. I believe, working as one community, we can look forward to a better Guam.”

There will be several key areas that will be reviewed during the presentations. These include the Guam and CNMI military relocation plan, the draft study and the overseas environmental impact statement.

Public comment sheets will be available at the workshop for those wishing to provide written comments. All written comment sheets will be collected and submitted to JGPO as official draft public comments. JGPO will respond to the submitted public comments as part of the Final EIS.