DoD may have to compete with developers
Thursday, 15 January 2009
By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
Variety News Staff
THE Department of Defense might have to compete with private developers and the Guam International Airport Authority for the acquisition of Yigo lands, which are being considered by the military as a potential site for a new firing range.
Rolenda Faasuamalie, public information officer for GIAA, said the airport authority is eyeing a portion of the target property as the site of the $16 million municipal airport project to be funded by the Federal Aviation Authority.
GIAA was among the three bidders that responded last year to the Guam Economic Development and Commerce Authority's solicitation for lease and development of the 395-acre property owned by the Chamorro Land Trust Commission and Ancestral Lands Commission.
"We received a notification that we ranked third, but we're not aware of the current status of the bidding selection," Faasuamalie said.
She added that FAA-funded studies have already identified the ancestral lands on Route 15 as the most ideal site for the municipal airport project, which is part of the government's aviation enhancement initiative.
Faasuamalie said the proposed municipal airport will be designated for private small aircrafts so that don't they mix with commercial planes as they do now at the existing airport.
"We're being optimistic about the future, and trying to meet our space and capacity," she said. "It would require that the government give us authority to use the land."
Faasuamalie said GIAA has not identified an alternative site for the municipal airport.
GEDCA
Mike Cruz, manager of GEDCA's Real Property Division, said the selection committee has evaluated the bidding proposals and ranked the bidders, accordingly, but no final decision has been made.
"We have to go into negotiation with the first ranked bidder, but we haven't started yet. We have to get together with the negotiating team which will include the Ancestral Lands Commission," Cruz said.
He confirmed that GIAA was among the bidders but declined to identify the two other bidders.
"We will negotiate with the No. 1 bidder first, and if it didn't work out, we would proceed with the ones next in line," Cruz said.
He said the developer that will eventually be awarded the lease would be allowed to use the property however it wants.
"We don't limit how private developers want to use the property. We believe the private sector knows the market," Cruz said.
The Land Trust property and the roughly 250 acres of land being occupied by the Guam International Raceway are currently being surveyed by military contractors.
The Joint Guam Program Office has confirmed that DoD is considering those properties for the construction of non-live fire training facilities.
"We have authorized (the military) to access the property and take a look at these areas. They told us that they're looking at these properties as part of the (environmental impact assessment)," Cruz said. "But they never said they will acquire or use it."
Showing posts with label Property Rights. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Property Rights. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Violations of property rights subvert freedom
BY TONY ARTERO • JANUARY 11, 2009
First, we must realize that our ancestors have endured unbelievable suffering, bloodshed, and virtually total destruction, all for America, but all for naught.
Second, the problem today lies with the present population. We are infected with the entitlement mentality, which has bred like cancerous germs forced upon us by the government for over 60 years.
The people of Guam have been paying for the American freedom since 1898, which promises equality in human rights and justice. But the people of Guam were ultimately denied even "living the dream" after World War II. That condition remains today.
The change that everyone on Guam should strive for is change in the way we are governed. Guam cannot afford this politics as usual any more.
Life on Guam before was more peaceful, with pride and contentment. The way we are governed these days created all this hate and discontent, and crimes of all sorts continue to increase. We must realize that complacency is lethal to our families and the whole community.
We have been lied to about "this is the way forward." Granted, freedom isn't free, but if we are going to pay for it, we want to get our money's worth.
If we have to sacrifice everything dear to us, then we must change direction.
The blatant violations of private property rights by local and federal government officials have extinguished economic freedoms. They made the promise of freedom, equality and justice a sham.
People are forced to be poor and to depend on a corrupted and self-serving government. Justice is denied to this day and democracy is a figment of the imagination.
We must still stand up for our rights. It is clear politicians won't deliver them. This is because the politicians lack sincerity and honesty and they know they lied on their oath of office.
Taxation without representation is one thing, but taxation without economic freedoms and justice while defending America is worse than communism. America's policies in Guam are failures on economic freedoms, justice and equality in human rights. Guam is America's epitome of absolute power corrupts absolutely.
The situation on Guam is an example of America having completed the circle from where it started.
We must realize that there is no "messiah" to wave his magic wand and make all our problems go away. More military and more tourism without righting the wrong will only make matters worse.
It is vital that we practice democracy. It is imperative we allow freedom to ring from Yigo to Merizo. Justice must be rendered, for without justice, there can be no peace.
Where do we go from here? We must change our ways and stand up for our rights. It is indicative that no one will deliver them to us, much less on a silver platter.
Demand for democracy, economic freedoms, and justice fought for and won, but denied by the not-so-"honorable" politicians, which made Guam America's biggest dirty little secret.
Tony Artero is a retired Navy submariner and a resident of Agana Heights.
First, we must realize that our ancestors have endured unbelievable suffering, bloodshed, and virtually total destruction, all for America, but all for naught.
Second, the problem today lies with the present population. We are infected with the entitlement mentality, which has bred like cancerous germs forced upon us by the government for over 60 years.
The people of Guam have been paying for the American freedom since 1898, which promises equality in human rights and justice. But the people of Guam were ultimately denied even "living the dream" after World War II. That condition remains today.
The change that everyone on Guam should strive for is change in the way we are governed. Guam cannot afford this politics as usual any more.
Life on Guam before was more peaceful, with pride and contentment. The way we are governed these days created all this hate and discontent, and crimes of all sorts continue to increase. We must realize that complacency is lethal to our families and the whole community.
We have been lied to about "this is the way forward." Granted, freedom isn't free, but if we are going to pay for it, we want to get our money's worth.
If we have to sacrifice everything dear to us, then we must change direction.
The blatant violations of private property rights by local and federal government officials have extinguished economic freedoms. They made the promise of freedom, equality and justice a sham.
People are forced to be poor and to depend on a corrupted and self-serving government. Justice is denied to this day and democracy is a figment of the imagination.
We must still stand up for our rights. It is clear politicians won't deliver them. This is because the politicians lack sincerity and honesty and they know they lied on their oath of office.
Taxation without representation is one thing, but taxation without economic freedoms and justice while defending America is worse than communism. America's policies in Guam are failures on economic freedoms, justice and equality in human rights. Guam is America's epitome of absolute power corrupts absolutely.
The situation on Guam is an example of America having completed the circle from where it started.
We must realize that there is no "messiah" to wave his magic wand and make all our problems go away. More military and more tourism without righting the wrong will only make matters worse.
It is vital that we practice democracy. It is imperative we allow freedom to ring from Yigo to Merizo. Justice must be rendered, for without justice, there can be no peace.
Where do we go from here? We must change our ways and stand up for our rights. It is indicative that no one will deliver them to us, much less on a silver platter.
Demand for democracy, economic freedoms, and justice fought for and won, but denied by the not-so-"honorable" politicians, which made Guam America's biggest dirty little secret.
Tony Artero is a retired Navy submariner and a resident of Agana Heights.
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