From Broadcast To Broadband - News You Can Trust

GWA: 10 Hour Water Outage TONIGHT for Adelup Area

2012-05-16T22:52:46Z

Guam - The Guam Waterworks Authority has scheduled a 10 hour water outage for tonight, Thursday May 17, for the Adelup area.

The outage is slated to begin at 6 pm this evening and last until 4 am Friday morning.

According to a release from GWA, all of Adelup will be effected.

The reason for the outage is that GWA crews will be replacing water valves in front of the Governors Office in Adelup.

GWA is also urging all motorist to drive careflully around the work crews in that area.

DPW: Lanes Will Shift On Route #1 Over Hagatna Bridge This SATURDAY

2012-05-16T06:45:50Z

Guam - The Department of Public Works has announced that beginning at 6 am this coming Saturday, May 19, the southbound lanes on Marine Drive between Route 8 and Route 4 will be shifted to the east side of the center median area adjacent to the north bound lanes.
“This new lane configuration is expected to remain in place for four to five months while Phase I of the Hagatna Bridge construction is completed,” said Carl Dominguez, Acting Director of DPW. “We will continue to maintain two lanes in each direction during the daytime throughout the period of construction.”

The DPW thanks all motorists for their continued patience and once again asks that everyone proceed with caution through the area and to obey all traffic signs.

For more information contact:

The Guam Transportation Information Center
Telephone: (671) 646-3452
Fax: (671) 646-3449
Email: helpdesk@guamtransportationprogram.com
Visit: www.guamtransportationprogram.com

UOG Statement on Drowning Death of Alexander John Miralles

2012-05-16T23:05:06Z

Guam - The University of Guam this morning [Thursday] issued the following statement on its investigation of the drowning death of student Alexander John Miralles.

READ the UOG statement in FULL below:

Statement Regarding the University of Guam’s Internal Review on the Tragic Drowning Death of Alexander John Miralles

President Robert Underwood and the University community grieve the loss of student Alexander John Miralles and together share their sincere condolences with the Miralles family.

Alexander Miralles drowned tragically while on a class hike to Anao Point on April 21, 2012. On Monday, April 23, UOG President Robert A. Underwood launched an internal review of the facts surrounding the field trip.

Field Trip
Dr. Michael Bevacqua organized a scheduled hike to Anao Point as part of his HI211-04 History of Guam class curriculum. 57 individuals were on the hike including Dr. Bevacqua. The group included a mix of University of Guam students and non-students. During the internal review there was an effort to contact all individuals who participated in the field trip activity and 26 individuals came forward to submit witness statements.

Alexander Miralles was enrolled in the HI211-04 History of Guam class which was held on Saturdays during the spring 2012 semester. Of the 29 students enrolled in the HI211-04 course, 13 opted to go on the hike while others chose to submit an alternate assignment as indicated in the syllabus. Other individuals went on the hike for extra credit for other courses taught by Dr. Bevacqua or of their own volition. The field trip encompassed a hike down a trail that ends in a clearing at the top of a limestone cliff about 10-15 feet above sea level. A lamasa or reef flat extends from the base of the cliff to the ocean.

Findings
According to Dr. Bevacqua, he informed his students in HI211-04 and other classes of the following more than one week before the event:

·         Bring plenty of water, especially if out of shape or new to hiking.

·         Know your limits. If too difficult, do not go.

·         Wear good shoes to help descend and ascend the trails.

·         Shorts and t-shirts are okay. Gloves are advised for the limestone rocks.

·         Waters are dangerous in this area.

Professor Bevacqua cautioned his students at different times, either prior to or during the field trip, regarding safety concerns in the area. While students recalled hike instructions differently, the reports from students were consistent in noting the rough water and cautioning statements by Professor Bevacqua regarding respecting the environment, being careful, and the dangerous waters. It was reported that Alexander Miralles started the hike towards the rear of the line, but later was able to move ahead. At the end of the trail, hikers stopped to rest or take in the view. Alexander Miralles climbed down the approximately 10-15 foot cliff to the lamasa/reef flat. Two or three other students also climbed down the cliff to the lamasa. Alexander Miralles walked across the lamasa to the ocean’s edge. It is uncertain as to whether he intentionally entered the water or was knocked off balance by a wave after reaching the water’s edge, and was subsequently swept into the ocean.

Dr. Bevacqua resumed his teaching duties on Tuesday, May 1 after being placed on one week of administrative leave while the University conducted its internal review. Dr. Bevacqua is on a one-year contract with the University of Guam. His current contract expires at the end of the spring 2012 semester. One-year contracts are typically offered to instructors in July or August prior to the beginning of each academic year based on enrollment in specific courses relating to the instructor’s area of expertise.

College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences procedures regarding the submittal of waiver and variance (change of class venue or time) forms were not followed by Dr. Bevacqua prior to the hike. Disciplinary action has been taken against Dr. Bevacqua. According to information gathered during the internal review, it is unlikely that variance or waiver forms would have prevented the tragic drowning death of Alexander John Miralles on April 21.

The University continues to offer counseling services through the Isa Psychological Services Center located in the Humanities and Social Sciences Building, Room 202. Twenty-four/Seven counseling is also available by calling toll free 866-713-1978 through June 17, 2012. To date, 57 individuals have availed themselves of counseling through these services.

This statement marks the close to the internal review regarding this tragic accident.

GFT Files Unfair Labor Complaint Against DOE Over Change in Teacher Work Hours

2012-05-16T09:42:08Z

Guam -The Guam Federation of Teachers has filed an Unfair Labor Practice complaint against the Guam Department of Education and Interim DOE Superintendent Taling Taitano.

According to an e-update sent out Wednesday afternoon, the complaint has to do with a March 6th memorandum issued by Taitano to all high school administrators establishing changes in working hours for teachers, although the change in worker hours had not been previously agreed to during collective bargaining negotiations.

READ the letter HERE

The GFT statement points out that both sides are still are in contract negotiations. The statement says that GFT has "demanded that management send notice to administrators rescinding the memorandum pending collective bargaining which unfortunately Management has failed and refused to do ."

The GFT statement also charges that "imposing unilateral changes affecting wages, hours and terms and conditions of employment to an exclusively recognized bargaining unit is a violation of the duty to negotiate under the Public Employee-Management Relations Act."

The union is also calling on the Governor to take corrective action "on this matter immediately."

GCC: Guam High School Seniors Slow to Complete FAFSA, Some Missing Out on Additional Aid

2012-05-17T00:30:44Z

Guam - An estimated 2,094 seniors are expected to turn their tassels and graduate from Guam high schools by the end of June.

As they do so, the GCC College Access Challenge Grant Program (CACGP) continues to monitor how many of them are filling out their Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, on the web. CACGP is interested in this number for several reasons, according to Millie Afaisen, CACGP program director.

The first is that 194 seniors from the public high schools are currently enrolled in the GCC College Access program. When these CACGP seniors complete their FAFSA on the web, they will be eligible for additional grant money to attend college, in addition to whatever amount they qualify for under the FAFSA. “It’s such a great deal,” Afaisen said. “We’re trying to get all 194 of our seniors to complete their FAFSA as soon as possible.”

The CACGP “GO Live!” FAFSA online workshop for CACGP members took place this week at John F. Kennedy High School and the Southern DYA Resource Haya Center in Agat, and will happen again this Saturday, May 19, at the Marriot during the CACGP High School Profession Development Conference from 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

Of the 194 CACGP seniors, so far 41 have applied for FAFSA via the "Go Live!" on-line workshops and 10 have confirmed with their student aid report (SAR), according to Afaisen. “We expect a spike in June-July and will continue monthly tracking as our program enrollment continues to grow,” she said.

To boost successful submission and tracking of SARs, the program is continuing efforts via the FAFSA workshops, working with school-based vocational guidance counselors, phone call follow-ups and mass emails to seniors.

FAFSA completion rates are being provided by the U.S. Department of Education, Data Center of FAFSA completions by High School for Guam. As of April 29, shows only a 10% FAFSA completion rate among the expected 1,753 graduating seniors from public high schools, compared to a 37% completion rate of the 341 seniors in the private schools, including Guam High.

The new tracking initiative by the US DOE Data Center will provide Guam with baseline data which then can be used for future planning – whether it be for financial aid assistance and/or college enrollment, according Afaisen. Throughout the year, CACGP works with school and community partners to prepare its middle and high school students for college preparation and career planning.

“Typically between April through August the program becomes very busy with its transitional activities assisting seniors with financial aid and the college enrollment process, along with enrolling students in our annual Summer Bridge Program for middle and high school students,” Afaisen said.

For more information about GCC’s College Access Challenge Grant Program, call 735-0221, or visit the CACGP Office in Room 5203, GCC Student Center Building, or log onto www.gcc.cacgp@guamcc.edu. Other helpful sources are the GCC Financial Aid Office at 735-5543/4, Room 2116, Student Services & Administration Building, or log onto www.guamcc.edu.

You can also contact the UOG Office of Financial Aid at 735-2284/2288. The office is located at the UOG Field House, or log onto www.uog.edu .

For the FAFSA online application, log onto www.fafsa.ed.gov.

To view FAFSA Completion rates by high schools go to: www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov/datacenter/fafsahs.html.

Bordallo Opposed to Reauthorized Version of Violence Against Women Act; Passed by GOP Controlled House

2012-05-16T22:23:41Z

Guam - Guam Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo spoke on the floor of the House Wednesday against the republican backed bill that reauthorizes the "Violence Against Women" act [VAWA].

Bordallo argued that the GOP measure eliminates critical protections for immigrants, native tribes, and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, protections which were all included a bipartisan Senate bill which passed last month.

A release quotes Bordallo as saying that the revised version passed by the republican controlled House "undermines the core principles of VAWA ... Rather than improving federal efforts to protect victims of domestic violence, the House bill makes it more difficult for women."

READ Congresswoman Bordallo's release in FULL below:

House Passes Republican Violence Against Women Reauthorization Bill; Bordallo Opposes the Bill in Favor of the Bipartisan Version Recently Passed in the Senate
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 16, 2012 – Washington, D.C. –

Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo today issued the following statement on H.R. 4970, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2012, which was introduced by Rep. Sandy Adams of Florida. The bill was passed by the House with a vote of 222 ayes to 205 noes.

The Congresswoman spoke on the House Floor this morning in opposition to the bill.

H.R. 4970 eliminates critical protections for immigrants, native tribes, and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community that were included in the bipartisan Senate bill, S.1925, which passed on April 26, 2012. In particular, H.R. 4970 rolls back current protections for immigrant spouses under the VAWA self-petition program that may discourage victims of domestic violence from reporting a crime. H.R. 4970 also eliminates a key provision in the Senate bill that provides tribal governments with concurrent jurisdiction to prosecute non-tribe members who assault their Native American spouses or dating partners on tribal lands. Currently, many of these domestic violence crimes go unprosecuted because tribal courts do not have jurisdiction to prosecute non-tribal defendants. Further, the House bill fails to prohibit VAWA-funded programs from discriminating against victims based on their sexual orientation, as the Senate bill does.

More than 300 organizations have opposed aspects of this bill, including the Guam Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence. President Obama also has promised to veto this bill.

“The Violence Against Women Act was a landmark piece of legislation that helped provide a safety net for victims of domestic and sexual abuse. H.R. 4970, however, undermines the core principles of VAWA and leaves out critical provisions to address the inadequacies of the original legislation,” said Congresswoman Bordallo. “Rather than improving federal efforts to protect victims of domestic violence, the House bill makes it more difficult for women to apply for programs that allow them to report or leave their abusive partners. Women should never have to feel trapped or helpless against abusers. I support the bipartisan, Senate-passed Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act and I hope that the House will do the right thing for all victims of domestic violence by adopting the Senate version.”

The Congresswoman is a co-sponsor of H.R. 4271, a bill introduced by Rep. Gwen Moore of Wisconsin. This is the House companion bill to S.1925, which was supported by every Democrat and Republican woman the Senate.

Bordallo Joins Colleagues on House Floor in Honor of APA Heritage Month

2012-05-16T21:44:08Z

Guam - Guam Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo marked Asian Pacific Heritage month by joining her colleagues on the floor of the House Wednesday to speak about the important contributions to the country's history made by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

READ Congresswoman Bordallo's release in FULL below:

Bordallo Joins Colleagues on House Floor in Honor of APA Heritage Month
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 16, 2012 – Washington, D.C. –

Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo today joined her colleagues of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) on the Floor of the House in honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Members spoke about the important contributions Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made, and will continue to make to the United States, as well as the unique challenges that face the APA community. Congresswoman Bordallo is the CAPAC Vice Chair.

Video of the Congresswoman speaking on the Floor of the House can be found here.

“The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus represents a very large and diverse community,” said Congresswoman Bordallo. “More than 18.5 million Asians and Pacific Americans call America home, and our community contributes to every aspect of American life. This month is an opportunity to celebrate our country’s diversity, recognize the sacrifices and contributions APAs make to our nation, and educate all Americans of the unique role our community plays in our country. As the Vice Chair of CAPAC, I continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to advance issues important to the APA community.”

Governor Talks About Efforts to Spur Construction Activity at GCA Meeting

2012-05-16T23:52:15Z

Guam - The Governor's Office issued the following release on his remarks before the Guam Contractors Association Wednesday.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 16, 2012

The Governor told contractors yesterday that the slowdown in construction they saw over the last year is sobering, but hundreds of millions in upcoming local projects should spur profits and job growth in the near future.

Governor Eddie Baza Calvo spoke to the members of the Guam Contractors Association Board during the installation of the Board of Directors ceremony. Governor Calvo was asked to talk about the economic outlook of the construction industry, one that’s been hit hard by the months of uncertainty about the military buildup.

“We just recently got the news confirming about 5,000 Marine’s coming, so that’s helped,” Governor Calvo said. “But we’re pushing DOD to give us more information so you in the private sector can plan your futures better. It’s really unfortunate that all the uncertainty on the buildup caused the slowdown, but that just tells us that we have to move forward on local projects. We need to be the masters of our own future.”

The silver lining? The Governor tallied upcoming construction spending that will spur the industry with nearly half a billion dollars in activity. This is added to the $500-$600 million in ongoing construction, according to GCA president James Martinez:

HOT Bonds – $55M
DPW – $100M ongoing and $20M upcoming
Private Activity Bonds – $20M – Lada Estates Senior Housing
DOE ARRA – $60M
Air Force projects – $20M
Port Authority of Guam – $50M
Utilities – $200M authorization

“In the short term, these projects will let the construction companies get a lot of work done and employ people,” Governor Calvo said. “The recovery will take some time, but it’s on the horizon and it’s something you and the community can look forward to. In the meantime, we’re working on long-term plans to keep money spent on construction on the island. Right now, much of the payroll employment for construction is spent on foreign workers, because we don’t have enough skilled workers to fill these jobs. And these are high-paying jobs that can provide good income for our local workers.”

The Governor said the long-term solution is to align the education outcomes of public schools with true workforce needs. A major and obvious need for years is for more workers skilled in the several trades of construction.

“We need to work with the talent we have here and build up our local workforce…we need to train more of our graduates to take jobs, and keep that money circulating in our economy.”

TODAY is Island Leadership Day

2012-05-17T01:16:27Z

Guam - If you are visiting the Governor's Office or making a stop for Government services at an agency today [Thursday], you may come across a Youth behind a desk or occupying the largest office space in the building.

The Youth of Guam are taking over today and leading our Island in various capacities. This opportunity is given to them by the Department of Youth Affairs, which has coordinated the ISLAND LEADERSHIP DAY event annually for many years.

Andrew Sulla-Mathews, a 9th Grader from St. John's School, is taking the lead as the Youth Governor and next in command as Youth Lt. Governor is Jace Ryan Santos, an 8th grade student from Saint Anthony School. The selection of the two top positions came as a result of DYA's Oratorical Contest held this past February.

Other Youth leaders for today include Senators, Mayors/Vice-Mayors, Judges, Directors, General Managers, Chiefs, and other various top leadership positions in many organizations on the island.

The DYA Youth Director, Ms. Marianne Balilo, would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who are giving of their time during their very busy schedules to afford the youth of Guam this very valuable learning experience.

Rodriguez Will Hold "Off-Island Medical Referral" Forum MONDAY

2012-05-17T00:58:34Z

Guam - The Legislature's Health Committee Chair Senator Dennis Rodriguez has called a forum for next Monday evening that will focus on the off-island medical referral process.

READ Senator Rodriguez's statement in FULL below:

Tamuning, Guam: Senator Rodriguez to conduct a Forum on the Guam Medical Referral Office and the off-Island medical referral process, on Monday, May 21st at 6:00 p.m. in the I Liheslaturan Guåhan Public Hearing Room.

Senator Rodriguez stated, “The purpose of this informational forum is to assist our people in understanding the medical referral process and scope of services provided when they utilize the Guam Medical Referral Office. Unfortunately, due to the limited availability of certain health care services on Guam, our people must often travel off-island seeking specialty care. Also of interest to the Committee are the concerns being raised by patients who have utilized this service. Our goal is to identify the gaps in the performance and availability of services, and how to address them. I also want to ensure that the taxpayer funded services of the Medical Referral Office are being provided in the most appropriate and efficient manner.”

The Senator has requested the attendance and participation of the Guam Medical Referral Office, and their private service provider, to present to the Committee and the public a detailed breakdown of the available services being rendered by their Manila, Los Angeles, and Honolulu offices, and the process by which patients seeking medical treatment abroad can utilize these services.

In addition, Senator Rodriguez has invited several off-island medical referral patients and patient advocates to take part in the discussions. An open invitation to participate in the forum is extended to all other patients who have availed themselves of the services, as well as health care stakeholders, caretakers, private insurance carriers and concerned citizens. Testimonies of personal experiences with the process and the quality of services and care received are welcome at this forum.

“I truly hope that our community will gain a better understanding of the challenges and successes of each member of our community who has experienced the Guam Medical Referral process. It is my hope that we will realize the invaluable positive contributions the referral system provides our people, and facilitate our ability to address the issues which need to be resolved. I encourage our island community to participate in the forum and contribute their ideas and suggestions on how to improve the care of our brothers and sisters who must seek medical treatment off-island.” Senator Rodriguez stated.

For more information, please contact the office of Senator Rodriguez at 649-8638/0511 or via www.toduguam.com.