Let your voice be heard
 

by Tony Blaz - 
KUAM's Political Insider
January 14, 2005

"Let your voices be heard." a statement often proclaimed by our island's illustrious politicians, particularly when inviting you to attend public hearings, on matters of great importance to our people, like proposed legislation, the designation of a landfill site, or the privatization of a public entity, like Guam Waterworks Authority. But are the voices of our people really being heard? Or are these public hearings just perfunctory events used by politicians to fulfill a requirement of law?

Over the past few weeks, countless numbers of island residents have flocked to village meetings held in Inarajan, Dededo, and Sinajana as the Consolidated Commission on Utilities accepted testimonials and public comments on the issue of privatization of our island's only water and wastewater utility agency. Hundreds of island residents have expressed their serious reservations about the privatization of GWA, many of their testimonials are filled with emotion, provoking comment from government officials who admonished our island residents, urging them to separate emotion from their testimony and to stick to the facts. Well, let's get something straight here. These folks whose emotion-filled testimonials bemoan the actions of the CCU take precious time away from their families to express their serious concerns about the actions of the CCU. These folks are not guided into action by any special interests but by the mere fact that they are deeply rooted in this community whose only interest is to seek what is best for their families, their children, and future generations of our people. They are taxpayers, ratepayers, they are Chamorro and Filipino, haole and Korean, you name it and if they all call Guam home, that is their only interest.

It is our fervent hope that the members of the CCU will not dismiss the view and testimonies expressed by hundreds of island residents who have come to express their concerns. Many skeptics feel that the Chairman and members have predecided this issue and those public hearings are being held to fulfill a requirement of law. I hope not, I say listen to the voices of your people and yes let our voices be heard.    

Tony Blaz hosts "Positively Local", a radio talkshow on Isla61-AM everyday from 6-10am