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Guam’s Reef Protection Programs Receive $1.8 Million Grant

Dec. 14, 2009

Guam’s Coastal Zone Management and Coral Reef Conservation programs have been awarded $1,807,888 in federal grants from the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM). The acting director of the OCRM, Donna Wieting, notified Governor Felix P. Camacho of the awards in a letter received Wednesday.

“Our reefs are our first indicator of rising tides and rising ocean temperatures and the associated threats to our island and people. This grant funding will help ensure that our reefs are healthy and resilient and is very meaningful to the future for all of our residents,” said Gov. Camacho.

The grant funding, administered under the authority of the nation’s Coastal Zone Management Act and Coastal Reef Conservation Act, will be distributed as follows: $988,200 to Guam Bureau of Planning; $49,860 to the University of Guam; $642,500 to the Guam Bureau of Statistics and Plans, Coastal Management Program; $67,700 to the Western Pacific Region Fisheries Management Council; and $59,628 to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

In her letter, Wieting said, “These awards are the result of a strong federal-territory partnership between Office of OCRM and your programs. […] Through strong partnerships and by leveraging federal resources with state match resources, we accomplish so much for the coasts.” Through the partnership, Guam’s programs receive assistance in devising annual work plans and providing training and up-to-date technical information on critical coastal issues, such as climate change and sea level rise.

Governor Appoints Vice Mayor for Agat

December 9, 2009

Governor Felix P. Camacho has appointed Agustin G. Quintanilla to serve as vice mayor of the municipality of Agat upon the recommendation of the Agat Municipal Planning Council. Gov. Camacho signed an appointment letter on Dec. 7, 2009.

“Mr. Quintanilla’s appointment is important because it ensures full representation, at the village level, for the people of Agat,” said Gov. Camacho. “I commend him for stepping forward and answering the call to serve his community.”

Quintanilla’s appointment is subject to the consent of I Liheslaturan Guåhan. If his appointment is approved by I Liheslatura, Quintanilla will serve until the position is filled during the next general election. He previously sought the position during the 2006 election.

“I thank Mayor Carol Tayama and the council for moving quickly on this recommendation,” said Gov. Camacho. ““I am confident that Mr. Quintanilla will work well with the mayor to best serve the village.”

Quintanilla will fill the position made vacant by the passing last month of the late Honorable Jesus B. Chaco.

Governor Meets with Japan Minister of Defense

Governor Camacho and Minister Kitazawa share perspective on relocation of U.S. military to Guam

December 9, 2009

The Japanese Minister of Defense Toshimi Kitazawa paid a courtesy visit today to Governor Felix P. Camacho while in Guam to tour the island’s military installations. Kitazawa told the governor that he decided to visit Guam in light of new leaderships in both Japan and the United States and to see for himself the location of the expected Marine transfer.

“As with any new leadership, a review and understanding of past policies and commitments is necessary to appropriately move forward, and I believe that was the basis of his visit,” said Gov. Camacho.

Although Kitazawa did not approach the idea of moving the U.S. Marine Corps air wing at Futenma base to Guam, Gov. Camacho asked for his opinion on the matter. Various news sources in Japan have cited talks of moving all military installations out of Japan.

“Defense Minister Kitazawa assured me that this is an idea that has been presented but has yet to be addressed among their leadership in Japan,” said Gov. Camacho. “I appreciate his honesty in the matter, but I also wanted to make clear that as decisions are made, Guam’s resources and the welfare of our community must be kept in mind. We are already challenged with the present numbers of the relocation of 8,000 Marines, and moving the entire Futenma base would not be possible due to our limited resources and capacity.”

As to whether or not the debate on the relocation of the Futenma base will delay buildup plans for Guam, Gov. Camacho referred to a statement made by U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates during his visit to Japan in October 2009. Gates categorically said: “Our view is clear. The Futenma relocation facility is the lynchpin of the realignment road map. Without the Futenma realignment, the Futenma facility, there will be no relocation to Guam. And without relocation to Guam, there will be no consolidation of forces and the return of land in Okinawa.”

While reports indicate that Japan’s new leadership may be reconsidering its commitments in the accord between the United States and Japan, Gov. Camacho said, “Japan’s commitment to move forward is evident in its $1 billion investment into the Marines’ relocation to Guam.”
Kitazawa is scheduled to depart Guam tomorrow.

Micronesian Leaders Talk Sustainability at Summit

Executives to discuss challenges and solutions to regional concerns

Dec. 2, 2009

Governor Felix P. Camacho will host the chief leaders of Micronesia in the 12^th Micronesian Chief Executives’ Summit beginning tomorrow morning and concluding Friday at the Sheraton Laguna Guam Resort.

Topics on the agenda for discussion include invasive species; regional recycling, transportation, tourism, and health; the Micronesian Challenge, in which the Micronesian islands share a commitment to conserve terrestrial and near-shore marine resources; renewable energy; and overall efforts for a sustainable future on the Micronesian islands.

Governor Signs 14 Bills into Law

Four bills vetoed

November 27, 2009

Governor Felix P. Camacho today signed 14 bills into law, including Bill No. 196-30, now PL 30-68, which gives village mayors the authority to sponsor and approve concessions, festivals, fiestas, or other village events that promote the Chamorro culture, tradition, heritage and tourism.

“Our village mayors are at the front lines of community service. They know their villages intimately and care deeply about the welfare of our people,” said Gov. Camacho. “This bill allows them to sponsor events that are in the best interest of their respective villages.”

Governor Camacho also enacted the following Public Laws:

    •    Bill No. 99-30 – PL 30-62: Amends the law relative to the issuance of special gold star license plates.
    •    Bill No. 101-30 – PL 30-63: Amends the law relative to prohibiting smoking within twenty feet of an entrance or exit of a public place where smoking is prohibited.
    •    Bill No. 135-30 – PL 30-64: Authorizes the Department of Public Health and Social Services to contract an independent environmental health inspection company to conduct sanitary inspections on behalf of the DPHSS; and to fund inspection services from fees authorized to be collected.
    •    Bill No. 151-30 – PL 30-65: Authorizes the director of the Department of Parks and Recreation to designate areas within the Guam Territorial Park System as “Alcohol Free Zones”, and to provide for penalties for non-compliance.
    •    Bill No. 175-30 – PL 30-66: Amends the law relative to permitting the Guam Power Authority, and the Guam Waterworks Authority to enter into long term contracts.
    •    Bill No. 191-30 – PL 30-67: Includes all graduates under the Pedro “Doc” Sanchez Scholarship program to receive the one-step merit pay increase benefit.
    •    Bill No. 196-30 – PL 30-68: Gives village mayors the authority to sponsor village events.
    •    Bill No. 198-30 – PL 30-69: Amends the law relative to the compensation of commissioners of the Guam Housing Urban Renewal Authority.
    •    Bill No. 210-30 – PL 30-70: Amends the law relative to providing the means to cover the cost of issuing Guam Identification Certificates.
    •    Bill No. 220-30 – PL 30-72: Amends the law relative to the duties of the Attorney General in procurement oversight and advisement.
    •    Bill No. 227-30 – PL 30-71: Authorizes hazardous pay to parole officers who perform the duty of supervising and counseling parolees, and to authorize hazardous pay to employees of the Department of Corrections who perform duties, which if performed by other law enforcement of public safety officers, would entitle such officers to hazardous pay.
    •    Bill No. 229-30 – PL 30-73: Relative to the Dr. Antonio C. Yamashita Teacher Corps.
    •    Bill No. 241-30 – PL 30-74: An act to repeal the law relative to Lot no. 237-6-1, Agana.
    •    Bill No. 246-30 – PL 30-75: Amends the law relative to cottage industry activity.

The Governor also vetoed the following bills:

    •   Bill No. 207-30 , attempted to adopt the procedures manual for the acquisition, enforcement and maintenance of territorial highway right-of-way and standards; to require the legislative approval of revisions to the Guam Transportation Improvement Plan.
    •    Bill No. 193-30 , sought to place Merizo Pier Park under the administrative jurisdiction of the Merizo Mayor’s Office.
    •    Bill No. 147-30 , would amend the law relative to the Guam Economic Development Authority loans and lending practices.
    •    Bill No. 233-30 , would amend the law relative to the rules and regulations for the school property of the Department of Education.

“Although I support most of the amendments contained in Bill No. 233-30, the legislation contains a provision which could potentially risk the government’s effort to rebuild and reopen John F. Kennedy High School. This risk has compelled me to veto the measure,” said Gov. Camacho in his veto letter to Speaker Judi Won Pat on Bill No. 233-30.

Governor Signs Three Bills Into Public Laws

Three bills vetoed

November 25, 2009

Governor Felix P. Camacho today, enacted the following Public Laws:

• Bill No. 176-30 - PL No. 30-59: Establishes a separate notary public revolving fund and increases the fee collected by the government of Guam for notary applications from $50 to $100. It also allows a fee to be collected form the issuing of certificates of authenticity and apostilles. It further clarifies that apostilles are issued by the director or deputy director of the Department of Administration.

• Bill No. 177-30 - PL No. 30-60: Authorizes the Office of the Attorney General to collect a fee for its attorney general clearances. It also establishes a separate fund for the deposit of those fees, entitled the “Victim or Witness Travel – Housing Fund” for use by the Office of the Attorney General.

    •    Bill No. 181-30 - PL No. 30-61: Amends the Guam Code Annotated, relative to Judiciary of Guam judges and justices’ annually compensation adjustments.

Among other action taken on bills, Governor Camacho vetoed:

    •    Bill No. 108-30, which sought to re-establish the Guam Community Police Review Commission. Among several other reasons, the governor’s decision to veto the proposed law was the absence of a funding source to support the measure’s mandate.

In his veto message to Legislative Speaker Judi Won Pat, the governor further stated, “The determination of a person’s guilt should only be made by those properly trained and equipped such as Internal Affairs and the Attorney General’s Office. The bill gives the Commission this tremendous authority, which may lead to unsubstantiated determinations of misconduct or criminal activity that would be deemed final.”

    •    Bill No. 209-30, which attempted to amend Guam’s financial disclosure law to include individuals who are delegated to have sole authority to enter into procurement contracts or approved change order.

“Unfortunately, it is unclear whether such an individual exists as no single individual has sole authority to enter into procurement contracts,” said Gov. Camacho. “Guam law also requires that all contracts, after approval of the attorney general, shall be executed upon the approval of the governor. As evident in all government of Guam contracts, no single person has the authority to enter into procurement contracts. Rather than sign legislation that has no effect since it will not apply to anyone, I have vetoed the measure.”

    •    Bill No. 200-30, attempts to adjust the compensation of the Attorney General of Guam to be comparable and equitable with other legal officer positions of the government of Guam.

“I appreciate the responsibilities and demands of the position of the attorney general and recognize that a salary adjustment may be warranted. However, as this legislation will not be effective until 2011, I simply ask that we wait for the outcome of the study (Government-Wide Position Classification Compensation and Benefits Study) to recommend a salary level commensurate with the role of the Attorney General of Guam,” said Gov. Camacho in his veto letter to Speaker Won Pat.

Veto message bill 108-30.pdf
Veto message bill 200-30.pdf
Veto message bill 209-30.pdf

Governor Not in Favor of Redirecting CIP Funds

$5 million for GDOE to jeopardize critical CIPs, governor issues executive order to buy more time for alternative solution

November 20, 2009

Governor Felix P. Camacho met with his fiscal team this morning to discus Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo’s proposal that would avoid the Guam Department of Education’s (GDOE) anticipated federal funding shortfall.

“Our education system is in an unacceptable situation that compromises the instructional time of our students and places more than 300 GDOE employees in limbo with their jobs and the ability to support their families,” said Gov. Camacho. “While I share in the resolve to find funding that will avoid this situation, I must also realize that other departments and agencies throughout our island are relying on this CIP funding.”

The Department of the Interior awarded Guam more than $16 million for health, education, social or public safety services, and infrastructure-related projects. Of that amount, the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse (DMHSA) is slated to receive $500,000 to pay for major CIP and permanent injunction- related requirements.

In a letter to Gov. Camacho, DMHSA Director Dr. David Shimizu noted, “Any plan to redirect these funds will negatively impact DMHSA’s ability to comply with the court orders, consequently bringing this agency, and the government of Guam, much closer to the possibility of being placed under receivership.” The agency is required to give monthly updates on how it is meeting court orders related to the permanent injunction.

The redirection of CIP funding may also affect other funding commitments such as: $500,000 to DISID for projects related to the permanent injunction; $3.5 million to GMHA for capital improvement projects and equipment; $500,000 to DPHSS for pharmaceutical supplies; $527,026 to GPD for patrol vehicles; and $750,000 to GFD for fire pumper trucks.

“GMHA is already working toward expediting the procurement of these absolutely critical projects. All of these projects directly impact not only the provision of quality patient care services, but patient safety as well,” said GMH Director Peter John Camacho.

“We must identify another option, one that will not make us choose between our hospital’s full accreditation and the education of our children through federally funded programs … between meeting orders of Mental Health’s permanent injunction and keeping more than 300 GDOE employees at work,” said Gov. Camacho. “My office will work with lawmakers to develop an interim solution that will give GDOE more time to identify a third party and restore federal funds. In the meantime, I have issued an executive order that will secure funding for GDOE’s payroll for the next pay period.”

Governor Signs Census Program Bill into Law

Decennial 2010 Census expected to employ hundreds of residents

November 16, 2009

Governor Felix P. Camacho today signed Bill No. 116-30 into PL. 30-58. The new law authorizes the Guam Census Program to temporarily recruit and employ personnel to conduct the Guam Decennial 2010 Census.

The program is estimated to employ 1,000 people to conduct activities related to the Guam census. According to PL. 30-58, the 2000 Census hired more than 700 people to collect detailed housing and population information.

“This census is critical to the true assessment of our needs,” said Gov. Camacho. “Not only will federal funding for the program employ hundreds of our residents, it will also give us the information we need to make the best decisions for our island as we move forward.”

According to PL. 30-58, the Guam Census Program will be established by the Guam Bureau of Statistics and Plans , which serves as the lead local agency responsible for Guam’s population and housing census. The U.S. Census Bureau will fund the program’s expenses, which include staff salaries, office space, all forms of publicity, and supplies.

The Decennial Census takes place every 10 years and provides key socio-economic, demographic, and housing information on Guam’s population. The comprehensive information provided by the census is used to identify and develop plans and policies that help meet the needs of Guam’s community.

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