A bill proposing the transfer of Chamorro Land Trust property in Malesso’ is under renewed scrutiny. Senator Chris Barnett and Malesso’ mayor Franklin Champaco are calling for the immediate withdrawal of Bill 182, a move they say is backed by more than 1,000 community signatures.

Over a thousand concerned residents signed-off on a petition calling for the immediate withdrawal of Senator Shawn Gumataotao's bill, a proposal that seeks to transfer 242 acres of Chamorro Land Trust property in Malesso’ to the Guam National Guard for training facilities.

"I’m asking Senator Shawn Gumataotao to please respect the will and voices of our concerned citizens, constituents, our mayors and vice mayors, heed the call of these concerned parties and immediately withdraw Bill 182-38," declared Barnett, as he and Mayor Champaco made that formal request to Gumataotao Friday morning. 

"We’re all about the culture down here and serving the land. I think the bigger picture is that there’s a lot of families still waiting for land from Chamorro Land Trust, so it just doesn’t make sense to give it out," he said.

Barnett says the legislation “blindsided” Malesso’ residents when it was introduced last September. He adds even the Guam National Guard itself does not support the bill, stating, "I think it’s important to note that the National Guard themselves said late last year asked Senator Guamataotao to defer action on the bill, but he didn’t withdraw it."

According to the senator, adjutant general-select Colonel Karin Watson has also stated she has no intention of moving forward with the proposal and agrees that community input should come first. "At the TAG selection hearing last week, Colonel Watson went as far to call the proposal [expletive] and not well thought out," said Barnett.

The bill’s author has said the transfer could generate economic benefits for the village, but Barnett calls that claim a “deflection.” He added, "I don’t see how destructive military training being conducted in our most beautiful village benefits the economy. I think that Senator Gumataotao put that out there as really just an excuse for people to support the proposal. The people of Malesso’ don’t support it, I think a majority of the senators don’t support it and it’s very clear that many of our mayors and vice mayors don’t support this proposal."

KUAM News reached-out to Senator Gumataotao for comment and has not heard back.