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Senator Bob Klitzkie (incumbent - R), Senator Larry Kasperbauer (incumbent - R)
Ken Wetmore (KUAM): Good evening and welcome to @issue joining me in the studio this
evening I have two republican incumbent senators Senator Bob Klitzkie and welcome
to Senator Larry Kasperbauer. Let's get right to the questions, the first question
I have for you is what is the answer to Guam's water woes?
Senator Bob Klitzkie: I think we're on the right track. I think the CCU has set the
right track and as a senator it will be up to me to ensure we give the necessary approvals
to the CCU's plan.
KW: So you think the water woes are pretty much fixed?
BW: No, I don't think they're fixed. I think we are on the way to fixing them. In
fact I'm sure they're not fixed right now.
Senator Larry Kasperbauer: The water problem has been a problem for a long time, it
still is a problem and it's going to continue to be a problem for a while longer.
I too still have faith in the utilities commission and they've selected a leader there
are the waterworks and I'm anxious to see more done, but I'm satisfied with the progress
that's being made and whatever is necessary from the legislature in terms of any bills
that need to be introduced or legislation that needs to be taken I'm very anxious
to work on that also.
KW: Some people have suggested that Guam should be the telecommunications hub of the
western pacific. Do you think that is realistic and if it is realistic what do you
think the legislature can do to make that a reality?
LK: You know I always thought that is one of the areas that Guam could really shine,
but certain individuals have told me that we really don't stand much of a chance.
I still would like to believe that our strategic location could and possibly and should
and could be such a place, if legislation is necessary to make or provide to make
business more friendly then I'm certainly going to support that and I'd be happy to
write such legislation if we need to give certain opportunities for any company that
would wish to establish themselves here, I would be happy to look into that. We need
to make the business opportunities more friendly than they are right now.
BK: Several transoceanic cables intersected Guam so we do have a location advantage
when it comes to becoming a telecommunications hub, however the technology changes
so fast that its hard to say where we would be even ten years from now, we had a major
naval communications station out in Finegayan, which I understand is down to a very
small organization now because of technological changes. What we need to do is take
what we have and make the best use of it. For instance we need to privatize our telephone
company as quickly as we can in such a manner that it enhances our position as a telecommunications
center and then we need to work on public safety, public health and education so that
we have the kind of labor force to adapt to whatever comes our way because of our
location.
KW: My final question in this section is Guam's roads are littered with pot holes,
you don't have to live on Guam very long to know that if it's raining you need to
drive really carefully because the roads are going to be slick and you have a good
chance of sliding around. What's the solution to the problem?
BK: The care and maintenance of our highways is currently under the Department of
Public Works. I think that if DPW had the ability to privatize much of highway maintenance
if not all of highway maintenance we could see a better quality of road at a lower
cost to the taxpayer.
LK: I authored along with our colleagues the Graduated Drivers License which clearly
is intended to make roads safer by having individuals young and old who get their
license for the first time to go through a training period of six months to a year
perhaps. That's one part of it, Senator Klitzkie and I grew up in the Midwest we know
about driving on slick roads and there's really not much difference driving on an
ice coated road and our roads especially at this time of the year so knowing how to
drive is part of it. Second on the potholes and other concerns on the road... we need
to make sure that the money that is appropriated is available for repair and construction
roads is done in the best way possible. I find that the little about of money that
goes to the mayors where they are able to least patch the potholes is very helpful
and useful and I'd like to see a little bit more money, and I would be happy to support
that going to the mayors.
KW: I've got five yes or no questions for you now, the first question is do you support
legalizing casino gaming on Guam?
LK: No.
BK: No.
KW: Do you support raising taxes in Guam? If your answer is yes, be specific.
BK: No.
LK: No.
KW: Do you support raising the drinking age?
LK: Yes.
BK: Yes.
KW: Do you support a part-time legislature?
BK: Yes.
LK: Yes.
KW: Do you support the plebiscite and if so which option?
BK: Yes, statehood.
LK: Yes, I would tend toward statehood.
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