The briefing, led by JGPO Director Joe Ludovici and JGPO Guam Forward Navy Capt. Daniel Cuff, was held at the Governor’s Office.
The meeting was hosted by acting Gov. Ray Tenorio and was attended by Speaker Judi Won Pat, Senator Frank Blas Jr., and Guam Military Buildup Committee Chairwoman Sen. Judi Guthertz.
JGPO officials told the group there were several things being assessed before the actual relocation of the Marines from Okinawa to Guam, including aviation capability, ground combat capability, logistics, embarkation training, and quality of life.
Officials said they continue to assess what lands are available to meet their needs within the military footprint, but if necessary, will look outside. They said they will consider property outside their footprint if the location is not available or feasible.
But Won Pat said she was disturbed when the group revealed and presented the concept of “Live Where You Work,” where everything is contained behind the fence line.
“It’s like a carrier, where everything is contained. And that’s exactly how I saw this. It’s a self-contained community,” said Won Pat.
“When top DOD officials came out to Guam earlier, they were promoting ‘One Guam, Green Guam.’ What’s good for the military needs to be good for Guam. I question this plan and whether they’re going to live up to their ‘One Guam, Green Guam,’ because now it seems to be changing.
“They talked about the impact on housing and how they wanted to mitigate the noise pollution in those areas and how they were going to mitigate the impact of the firing range. When I saw that, I asked, ‘why didn’t they think about that, about the quality of life of our people outside the fence.’ ”
The speaker said she got the impression that JGPO’s only concern was for military personnel, “and I don’t see that as a ‘One Guam’ concept. It’s good for the military, but not necessarily good for the community outside the fence who will be negatively impacted by noisy flyovers or a live firing range.”
Won Pat said the concept provides areas within walking distance. “So inside the base, they’re going to have a mall, theaters, a gym and a pool. So you live there, you work there, and you play there. How is this going to help the economy of Guam?”
