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Cruz Signs Bill to Fund I Famagu'on-ta |
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Acting Governor signs Bill No. 302 into P.L. 29-86
July 7, 2008
Acting Governor Michael W. Cruz, M.D. today signed into law a measure funding the salaries and benefits of all existing personnel of the I Famagu'on-ta program.
Bill No. 302 (EC), now Public Law 29-86, provides local funding for both classified and unclassified employees of the program, which supports children and adolescents under 22 years of age with serious emotional disturbances and their families.
"This is an important program and I am grateful for the Legislature's collaboration in providing a solution that will benefit many," Acting Governor Cruz said.
The $750,000 from an existing appropriation passed the Legislature July 3, 2008. |
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Governor Shares Economic Opportunities in New Zealand |
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State visit to highlight Guam Buildup progress with government, business officials
July 7, 2008
(Wellington, New Zealand) Governor Camacho is on an official state visit to New Zealand where he is sharing business, trade and economic opportunities with government and business officials who have expressed a keen interest in the Guam Buildup.
"This is an exciting opportunity for both Guam and New Zealand as great prospects lie ahead for both our island communities," said Governor Camacho. "This is a great chance for us to learn more about the innovations they are making in a number of key industries that I hope we can expand to this part of the Western Pacific."
Governor Camacho today met with 70 private sector leaders to discuss opportunities available with the Guam Buildup during a forum at the University of Auckland Business School.
The Guam-New Zealand Business Forum was organized by the New Zealand Pacific Business Council in cooperation with the New Zealand Office of Foreign Affairs and the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.
"Finding a way to bridge the gap between Guam and the rest of the region has been an important initiative of the Administration," said Governor Camacho. "Working together and discussing the issues of importance will benefit many island communities as we share many of the same concerns as we face similar issues that affect our people."
The program for the State Visit, prepared by the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, will cover the cities of Tauranga, Rotorua, Auckland and Wellington where he will meet with various leaders from the public and private sector.
The state visit also will include courtesy calls to members of New Zealand parliament officials, including Prime Minister Helen Clark.
"Corporations in New Zealand have done great research into the Guam Buildup," Governor Camacho said. "There is a commitment to assist Guam as we move forward and I am encouraged by this gesture."
Governor Camacho will return to Guam on Thursday, July 10, 2008.
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Guam Native Recognized by U.S. Achievement Academy |
Anaka Bamba receives prestigious recognition July 7, 2008  The United States Achievement Academy announced today that Anaka Bamba, a Guam native from Dublin, CA has been recognized by the United States Achievement Academy as a student of excellence. The Academy recognizes students upon the exclusive recommendations of teachers, coaches, counselors upon the Standards for Selection set forth by the Academy. The Standards for Selection include academic performance, interest and aptitude and leadership qualities. "Lt. Governor Cruz and I are very proud that Ms. Bamba, a daughter of our island, is being recognized for her achievements," Governor Felix P. Camacho said. Anaka Bamba, who attends Dublin High School, was nominated for this honor by Valerie Jacob-Bohart, a teacher at the school. Anaka Bamba will appear in the United States Achievement Academy's Official Yearbook which is published nationally. "Recognizing and supporting our youth is more important than ever before in America's history. Certainly, the United States Achievement Academy students should be congratulated and appreciated for their dedication to excellence and achievement," said Dr. George Stevens, Founder of the United States Achievement Academy. Anaka Bamba is the daughter of Ty & Tanya Bamba-Shiroma residing in Dublin, CA and, Juan & Olga Muna of Guam. George and Joyce Bamba of Agana Heights and Ann and the late Bill Muna of Mangilao are her proud grandparents. |
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GPSS Receives Much Needed Materials |
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July 2, 2008
Guam Public School System maintenance workers are finally getting their hands on the materials they need to get the job done.
Yesterday Department of Public Works deputy director Andy Leon Guerrero announced the procurement of plumbing and electrical supplies for several schools. Upon receiving purchase orders, vendors delivered materials to GPSS warehouses and continue dispersing those materials to various schools.
"DPW has all the expertise, such as engineers, that we've been lacking and now we can tap into that resource to fix our schools," said GPSS Facilities and Maintenance Manager, Ken Calvo.
Meanwhile, DPW Director Larry Perez says they are putting together a plan that will compile and summarize all citations and inspections by DPW, GPSS and the Attorney General's office. That list will then be assigned to the appropriate district to determine what scope of work can be outsourced, handled by GPSS or DPW's workforce or through volunteers.
"We expect this plan to be completed by close of business day today," said DPW Director Larry Perez. "By Friday purchase orders and contracts should be completed and starting Saturday we will begin working 16 hour days, 7 days a week until our schools are ready to open."
It has been 8 days since Acting Superintendent Wilfred G. Aflague declared the School System in a state of emergency and requested the assistance of DPW and all necessary GovGuam agencies to assist GPSS in meeting its August 12th deadline to open schools. |
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$7.8 Million Appropriated for Retiree Medical Insurance |
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Governor signs Bill No. 316, sufficient authority for rest of fiscal year
July 2, 2008
Governor Felix P. Camacho today signed Public Law 29-85 appropriating an additional $7.8 million to the Retirement Fund for health insurance premium payments and retiree life insurance subsidies to ensure proper coverage for the remainder of the fiscal year.
"This government must protect its retirees and live up to its obligations to them," Governor Camacho said. "I want to thank Senator Pangelinan and his colleagues for working with my Administration to ensure retirees have proper medical coverage."
The Administration worked with Senator Vicente Pangelinan to immediately release $2.4 million to the Retirement Fund needed to cover current health insurance arrearage payments for retirees.
PL 29-85 stated that the budgetary shortfall was due in part to the Actuary's overestimation of active members' cost savings and the underestimation of the retirees' cost increase.
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Camacho Orders First Government-Wide Reclassification in 17 Years |
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July 1, 2008
Governor Felix P. Camacho has ordered the reclassification of government-wide pay.
A request for proposals will be released tomorrow for the Government-wide Position Classification Compensation and Benefits Study. The last classification was done in 1991.
"Government employees have been held to an old standard of compensation for too long," Governor Camacho said. "These hard working men and women deserve benefits and pay consistent with the dedication they give to improving our island. We need to sustain a competitive pay scale to retain and attract the best and brightest workers to serve our people."
The 1991 classification, known as the Hay Study, was conducted in September of that year. The standards of compensation and benefits from that study were enacted the following year and have remained for the past 16 years.
The deadline for submission of proposals will be July 31, 2008. The study itself may take as long as six months to complete. The study was authorized by Public Law 29-52, under Section 13.
Compensation and benefits studies have been conducted, affecting only certain groups of government employees such as teachers and nurses since the Hay Study. The classification study ordered by the Governor will affect all government employees.
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GOVERNOR CAMACHO PRESENTS KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE |
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Announcement of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives in Guam made at National Conference
June 28, 2008
(Washington DC) Governor Felix P. Camacho today was the keynote speaker at the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives National Conference. Governor Camacho was invited to speak at the two-day event which featured President George W. Bush and attended by Cabinet and public and private sector leaders at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. The theme of the conference was "Innovations in Effective Compassion".
"Government is most effective in addressing human need," said Governor Camacho. "When it welcomes every effective partner—faith-based and secular, large and small, when it taps into and multiplies the ingenuity of social entrepreneurs, when it harnesses the passion of dedicated volunteers and the compassion of neighbors serving neighbors."
Governor Camacho spoke on the success of President Bush's Faith Based and Community Initiative, that since launched seven years ago had matched nearly 90,000 children of prisoners with caring mentors, assisted in reducing ex-offenders return to prison at rates less than half the national average and facilitated major reductions in the number of homeless veterans, and chronic homelessness overall.
"This demonstrates what can occur when dedicated nonprofit organizations are given a central role in National efforts to solve the great human needs of our day," said Governor Camacho.
Governor Camacho also announced the establishment of a Faith-Based and Community Initiative in Guam, the 35th Governor to do so since 2001.
"As with the Federal Initiative, it will be focus first and foremost on solving some of the most pressing issues facing the people of Guam and Micronesia," said Governor Camacho. "As President Bush describes, it will be a "determined attack on need."
Governor Camacho was invited to speak at the National Conference after meeting with Director of the White House Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives Jay Hein during a visit to Washington DC this past May.
"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen! Hope is confident expectancy. All of you have the ability to do whatever you need to do. In faith and hope, you can overcome every trial and accomplish things things you never thought possible. Don't shirk in fear when opportunities or even obstacles come your way. With an attitude of faith, and expectancy you can do great things and bless others with your work. You have a servants heart that looks for ways to meet other peoples needs. You are transforming lives from inside-out as you touch the hearts and minds of those in need. And so 'Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.' Thank you and God Bless America," said Governor Camacho.
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Acting Governor Cruz Reassures U.S. DOE |
June 27, 2008 Acting Governor Michael W. Cruz today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Education Risk Management Service Director Philip Maestri requesting for the prompt review and processing of the Guam Public School System's consolidated grant application. Earlier this month, U.S. DOE informed Governor Felix Camacho and the public school system that there could be a possible suspension of the release of Fiscal Year 2008 consolidated grants to GPSS. Maestri cited numerous changes in GPSS leadership within the span of three months contribute to its unstable state. In his letter, Acting Governor Cruz reiterated Governor Camacho's willingness to appoint the next superintendent and his commitment to keep the appointee for the remainder of his gubernatorial term. The Acting Governor also acknowledged U.S. DOE's concerns and reassured Maestri efforts are currently ongoing to address the need for program accountability and stable leadership. "The withholding or delay of federal funding will have an enormous impact to the children who attend our public school system," said Acting Governor Cruz. "I believe stable and consistent leadership will help address many of U.S. DOE's concerns and ensure these funds are not jeopardized." The letter referred to efforts of the Guam Legislature to address the matter with two bills before lawmakers that seek to reorganize the Guam Education Policy Board and create charter schools for the island. The government is currently assisting GPSS with shortfalls that may arise should there be a delay in funding from U.S. DOE. Federal funding will be used for the operations of the school system for the year 2008-2009, which is scheduled to begin on August 12, 2008. "We've shared our position with U.S. DOE and we hope they look favorably on our request to review and process our grant application expeditiously, but we must continue to do what we can to ensure our schools are prepared for the next school year." |
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A Message from the Governor of Guam
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