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David Shimizu to Lead Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse |
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January 8, 2009
Governor Felix P. Camacho today appointed former senator Dr. David Shimizu to serve as director of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse. Dr. Shimizu is a 3-term senator who served in the 21st, 22nd and 29th Guam Legislatures.
"The Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse is one of our government's most critical resources as this agency is responsible for meeting the specialized needs of our community's most vulnerable citizens," Governor Camacho said. "Dr. Shimizu has been a public servant for many years and I am confident that his knowledge and background experience will help him lead this department through the many challenges ahead."
Dr. Shimizu is a University of Guam graduate and earned his doctoral degree from the University of Massachusetts where he studies Mental Health and Human Services Administration. He has participated in regional studies and research projects such as the Asian Mental Health Research Project where he served as a research associate.
Dr. Shimizu was the first appointed director of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse and has held several leadership positions in the government of Guam, including Administrator of the Guam Memorial Hospital and Chief Executive Officer of the Guam Preservation Trust.
"Dr. Shimizu is well-versed in current issues regarding behavioral health and cultural issues and we look forward to working with him as we move forward in strengthening the mission of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse."
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U.S. Census Bureau Completes 2008 COFA Survey Fieldwork |
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(Compact of Free Association Migrants) Closeout Ceremony
The U.S. Census Bureau, the Governor's Office, the Bureau of Statistics and Plans, the Guam Department of Labor, and the University of Guam completed its fieldwork on the 2008 Survey of Compact of Free Association (COFA) Migrants on December 31st, 2008. The media conference is the final step of the COFA outreach strategy to acknowledge the successes and efforts of all the collaborators, enumerators, project workgroup, and most especially the residents responding to the "Count Me In" campaign.
This Press Conference also provides an opportunity for the community to follow the progress of the COFA timelines and next steps towards securing the island's share of the $30 million of Compact Impact funds are available. COFA funding reimburses government cost of providing services to regional immigrants and services that directly benefit all our people and improve our community. The survey results will directly affect how much Guam receives out of the total amount. Since 2004, $14 million dollars of Compact Impact funds have helped our community build new schools and funded the purchase of school buses, ambulances, fire equipment, and medical supplies.
We would like to acknowledge the community leaders representing Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands for promoting the survey work and for recruitment of survey workers. "When you answered the survey you contributed to the improvement of services available to all residents. Your responses are important for the future development of Guam."
Collaborating in the survey project are the U.S. Census Bureau, the Governor's Office, the Bureau of Statistics and Plans, the Department of Labor, and the University of Guam. For more information about the 2008, Survey of Compact of Free Association (COFA) Migrants call Pete Barcinas, University of Guam's Cooperative Extension Service at 735-2050 or Monica Guerrero, Bureau of Statistics and Plans at 472-4201.
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Governor's Statement on Gregory Matanane |
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Governor Felix P. Camacho issues this statement on the death of Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Gregory A. Matanane:
"First Lady Joann and I, along with Lt. Governor Michael Cruz and his wife Jennifer, are shocked and saddened by the death of Greg Matanane," Governor Camacho said. "Greg was a dedicated public servant who committed his life to his faith, his family and the people of Guam. He will be greatly missed. The Camacho Cruz Administration, all of Greg's fellow Cabinet members and our government employees, join the people of Guam in sending our thoughts and prayers to Greg's family and friends during this difficult time."
Governor Camacho appointed Matanane to the position of Deputy Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation on January 19, 2004.
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Governor Signs $20 Million Consent Decree Financing |
Bank of Guam provides financing for upcoming deadline January 2, 2009  Governor Felix P. Camacho today finalized a loan agreement with the Bank of Guam to comply with the government of Guam's federal Consent Decree deadline regarding the closure of the Ordot Dump and the construction of a new sanitary landfill. The government of Guam is required to deposit $20 million to a trustee designated by the federal receiver by January 5, 2009.
Governor Camacho was joined by representatives from the Bank of Guam and the Guam Economic Development Authority during the official signing of the financing contract this morning. "The Bank of Guam has played a significant role in seeing this government through many financial challenges," Governor Camacho said. "This local institution has stood by us and supported us through difficult times and we are grateful for their commitment to our people once again. They truly are setting an example of the kind of public-private partnership that is critical to moving this community forward." The government of Guam was placed under federal receivership in January 2008 for non-compliance with a federal Consent Decree that mandated the closure of the Ordot Dump after more than two decades of violations of the Clean Water Act. |
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Governor Signs Bill No. 385 |
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Governor's amendment helps secure $20 million loan for Consent Decree Deadline
December 29, 2008
Governor Felix P. Camacho signed a bill today that allows the government to fund a lawsuit on Compact Impact funding reimbursements, which also included an amendment to secure a $20 million loan to meet an upcoming federal Consent Decree deadline.
Bill No. 385, now PL 29-129, authorizes the government of Guam to take legal action in an effort to pursue more than $4 million in Compact Impact reimbursements from the U.S. government.
Earlier this week, Governor Camacho submitted an amendment to the Legislature to waive the government of Guam's sovereign immunity protection as required by the financing contract being negotiated with the Guam Economic Development Authority and the Bank of Guam for the $20 million that must be deposited to the federal receiver's trustee by January 5, 2009.
"We must move forward with closure of the Ordot Dump and the construction of a new landfill to comply with the federal Consent Decree obligations placed on this government," Governor Camacho said. "I thank the Legislature for their urgent attention in this matter as this amendment is required to finalize the financing contract with the Bank of Guam so that we may continue providing critical solid waste management services to our people."
The Guam Economic Development Authority is currently in negotiations with the Bank of Guam to provide the funding needed to comply with the upcoming deadline.
The other measures acted on by the Legislature have not yet been transmitted.
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Witness Privacy Protection Legislation Signed |
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Bill No. 148 (EC) now Public Law 29-126
December 23, 2008
Governor Felix P. Camacho last night signed Bill No. 148 (EC) into law. The measure, now Public Law 29-126, protects the privacy of vulnerable witnesses during court proceedings.
"I commend senators for protecting the privacy of victims, especially children," Governor Camacho said. "This is the right thing to do because many of these cases are difficult for victims to endure."
P.L. 29-126 allows judges to exclude the general public from trials, criminal proceedings and parts of trials involving minors in sex offenses, incest, child pornography and criminal sexual conduct proceedings. The judge may also exclude the general public from trials or criminal proceedings involving husbands and wives. |
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Camacho Responds to Shafer on Double Session Problem |
Governor taking school leaders and media on tour of possible interim high school December 16, 2008 Governor Felix P. Camacho today responded to Dr. Nerissa Bretania-Shafer's request for assistance in finding a solution to the double session problem at GW High School and further addressing the crowding situation in northern schools. Governor Camacho has called on Chief of Staff, George Bamba, and his Special Assistant for Capital Improvement Projects, Andy Leon Guerrero, to explore alternative solutions that will end double sessions immediately and relieve over population in northern schools in the long-run. "I join your commitment to find an interim solution as soon as possible," Governor Camacho wrote in his letter to Dr. Shafer. The Superintendent wrote to the Governor asking for his assistance in finding a solution, which also addresses perennial crowding problem in its schools. One option the Governor is exploring is the possible conversion of the old Department of Revenue and Taxation compound in Tiyan to an interim high school until John F. Kennedy High School is reconstructed at its Tamuning campus. The Governor is committed to rebuilding the JFK High School campus. Governor Camacho is taking school leaders and the media on a tour of the compound this afternoon. In 2003, Governor Camacho appointed a task force to explore options for financing new schools. Three of those new schools now are open and one is under construction. |
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Camacho Signs Port Master Plan Legislation |
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Legislature adds several conditions to original bill
December 15, 2008
Governor Felix P. Camacho has signed Bill No. 398, approving the Jose D. Leon Guerrero Commercial Port of Guam's Master Plan Update 2007 Report, the updated version of the Port's 1999 Master Plan, with several conditions.
Bill No. 398 now, Public Law 29-125, approves the Port Master Plan Update 2007 Report on the conditions that the Financial Feasibility Plan and Economic Impact Assessment are submitted by the Board of Directors and also that an Implementation Plan is also submitted and approved.
The Implementation Plan is required to establish the Port's priorities, identify viable funding sources and classify projects according to whether they are for the organic growth of the Port or to support the military buildup. |
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A Message from the Governor of Guam
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