Governor vetoes bill that ID's Ypao Point as new Guam Memorial Hospital site
As expected, the Governor late yesterday vetoed Senator Chris Barnett's bill that requires the new hospital be built at Ypao Point.
In her message, Leon Guerrero said problems at that site are well-documented.
She also went on to criticize Barnett for what she believed was catering to a select few in the medical community who would benefit from rebuilding at Ypao.
The Governor also suggested opposition to her choice of a Barrigada-Mangilao site was more because of opponents political aspirations.
Barnett today was disappointed, but not surprised by the veto.
“The Governor in her State of the Island address said her selection of Eda Agaga was based on her outreach and her conviction as well as research, but we haven't seen that research. What we have seen is the matrix study that the people of Guam paid for and that matrix study says in black and white that Ypao Point is the best and most feasible place to build a new hospital,” said Sen. Barnett.
He added, “It’s my intention to seek support for an override of the Governor's veto. I'm just not sure, Nestor, if I'm gonna do that in the upcoming session or one in the near future.”
While all seem to agree about the need for a new hospital, three potential sites have now been shot down:
The governor's original choice of Eagle's Field, her second choice of Eda Agaga, and Barnett's bid for Ypao Point.
There is no word on any other potential site.