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Guam - Guam Senator Mana Silva-Taijeron has issued a release raising concerns about the recommended cuts in benefit's for the Guam Fire Department.

READ Senator Silva-Taijeron's release in FULL below:

Silva Taijeron Concerned With Task Force Proposals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 26, 2012

Senator Mana Silva Taijeron issued the following statement on the recommendations recently released by the Spending Cuts Task Force:

“I applaud the administration and the Spending Cuts Task Force for identifying measures that will go towards helping reduce our government’s deficit. There is so much that needs to be done in order to get our finances back in order, and bringing ideas to the forefront is a step in the right direction.

As a staunch advocate for Guam’s public safety personnel, I appreciate the fact that Governor Calvo rejected the recommendations to eliminate hazardous and night differential pay for public safety officers. However, I am concerned about the proposed elimination of certain benefits for firefighters in the Guam Fire Department. The services provided by GFD, and all other public safety agencies, are invaluable to the protection and overall safety of our island, and it troubles me whenever these agencies are first in line for budget cuts.

While I agree that we need to curb government spending, I do not agree that making major cuts to a critical department within public safety is the right way to go. A more practical approach is for all government of Guam entities to look within their own budgets for savings and prioritize spending to only items and services that are truly essential, and I will work with all stakeholders in attaining that goal.”