By Sen Judi Guthertz
For Variety

SOMETIMES a solution has been around so long that we’ve kind of ignored it, and it takes a second glance to help us recognize that it’s the perfect way to achieve our goals. After receiving responses to my recent letters to Assistant Secretary of the Navy B.J. Penn and to retired Army Major General David Bice regarding Guam’s proposed military buildup, I am convinced that we haven’t taken the right path yet.
I wrote to Secretary Penn and General Bice about several issues regarding the ongoing military expansion. I wrote about a planned weapons firing range, noting that the proposal would put our deep-sea fishermen in the line of fire; I asked what the impact might be on the self-determination efforts of the Chamorro people; and I suggested that the Joint Guam Program Office be placed off-base.
Responding for himself and Secretary Penn, General Bice wrote:
The Weapons Range: “With respect to your comments we will exercise full due diligence in assessing the impacts and specific site analysis as part of our Environmental Impact Study. A scoping meeting will provide you and other members of the community an opportunity to voice your concerns. I encourage you and others to participate.”
Chamorro Self-Determination: “I will relay your concerns regarding self-determination to the Departments of the Interior and State, as these are political issues that are more appropriately addressed by other authorities.”
Joint Guam Program Office: “The Office will continue to strive to be an effective means of information exchange for the military build-up on Guam.”
General Bice’s closing statements tells us we’re talking to the wrong people: “Our goal is to ensure that the United States is postured to meet the challenges of the 21st Century and provide the patriotic sons and daughters of Guam the best in global defense. I look forward to continue this dialogue as we move forward in this strategic program.”
The key words here are “best in global defense,” “continue this dialogue” and “this strategic program.”
To its immense credit, the U.S. military is mission-oriented. Their goal is their mission and everything else is window dressing. They have always considered Guam strategic and weren’t happy with BRAC’s early ‘90s decisions. The military now has a second chance to build the kind of “strategic program” they believe is necessary in Guam to provide “the best in global defense.” They will be happy to talk, but we need to let our military concentrate on their mission.
The right people to talk to are not those who want to “continue this dialogue,” and are definitely not those located in the Joint Guam Program Office. No offense intended to either Secretary Penn or General Bice, but they are on a mission and their mission does not include negotiating with us.
To have our concerns heard AND considered, we need to talk to people in Washington, D.C. For three years now, Sen. Rory Respicio has been introducing a bill that will do what we want: provide a means to communicate with those who fund and approve the mission. It’s Bill No. 33, AN ACT TO CREATE A COMMISSION ON COMMUNITY SUPPORT OF THE MILITARY MISSION IN GUAM. It brings the governor, community members, business leaders, senators, mayors and Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo together as Team Guam. We would be speaking to the military and to Congress with one voice.
Partisanship has already inhibited our progress. It’s hard to be Team Guam if we don’t form a team. Let’s pass Bill 33 and make it Team Guam’s mission to bring great benefits to our island.