As I have observed before, many in our community came to the conclusion that the buildup is more or less over, thanks to well-publicized stories about proposed defense budget cuts that include the buildup and arguments about U.S. strategy in the Pacific taking place in Washington. July was also supposed to be the month when the Pentagon finally issued a long-overdue master plan for the buildup, but that document has yet to be issued to our knowledge.
Here on Guam, most of us have adjusted to the greatly-increased traffic on the roads, including a constant stream of trucks along Marine Corps Drive full of construction materials. I’m often asked, ‘Are they still coming?’ But it’s these daily realities, rather than LSTs full of Marines storming the Guam beaches, that tell us the real buildup is underway, though at — we hope — a sustainable pace.
If you’ve noticed, the big campaign to blame various local leaders who have pointed out problems with the buildup for chasing away the Marines with overheated political rhetoric has quietly faded away. Those with skin — or money — in the game are much more inclined to chase contracts now than to continue with this distraction.
So as our local investors quietly pursue their goals, we need to look out for those who simply want to live peacefully on Guam and make a normal living. I am sorry to report that some military contracts that have come to my attention lately do not support this standard and I am working to ensure that they get a fair review from contracting authorities.
You have to slog through a mind numbing Department of Navy memo [“SUBJ: IN-SOURCE COST-ANALYSIS FOR OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES AT NAVCOMTELSTA GUAM”] for clues as to why the communications contractor Rome Research is losing its contract later this year. It seems the DoN has decided to use in-house personnel for these services. The company has 61 employees who work and live in Guam and among other things, it paid $220,000 in GRT to GovGuam just last year. As the Navy tells it, this is about cost savings. Wait for it! $11,480 in savings over five years! As I complained to Assistant Secretary Jackalyne Pfannenstiel, this becomes downright silly when you see claims of saving $173 in 2013 and $557 in 2014. Much as we welcome additional uniformed Navy personnel to Guam, a private sector work force would provide considerably more stability and revenue to the island.
Another instance of contracting gone wrong involves long-standing employees of the Navy’s daycare system, which is now administered by an Alaskan firm, Chugach. These workers lost their jobs after many years of loyal service caring for dependent children of Navy personnel as a result of new qualifiers demanded by the Navy and a new contractor.
These matters reflect gross disregard for the economic benefit to the island community and belie the much touted claim by DOD representatives to support a “One Guam” approach. Moreover, I was under the impression that the federal government was long past the days when the bottom line was “lowest bid” in exchange for the new modus operandi, “Best Value!”
There’s no alternative. We have to keep our eyes on the buildup ball and when we see a foul, call it! I promise to do just that.
SEN. JUDITH P. GUTHERTZ
31st Guam Legislature
