by Janjeera Hail

Guam - Department of Chamorro Affairs acting president Sylvia Flores has issued a letter to Vice-Speaker B.J. Cruz, blasting him for barring her from giving a presentation on the Chamorro Village conceptual plan during last Friday's public hearing on Bill 485. Bill 485 would appropriate $30 million in bond money for the Guam Museum, and an equal amount for a cultural and performing arts center.

Cruz is off-island and could not be reached for comment, but representatives from his office tell KUAM News that he did not believe Flores' presentation was relevant to the bill.

Meanwhile, Flores alleges his snub was deliberate because he allowed developer Al Ysrael to give a presentation on a private cultural center that is being planned. According to Flores, Ysrael's project names non-profit group Pa'a Taotao Tano as a consultant and represents a conflict of interest on Cruz's part because Cruz used to be the chairman of the board for Pa'a Taotao Tano.

However, the group's president, Linda Reyes, says Cruz resigned his post as chairman last December when he learned he would chair the Committee on Tourism and Cultural Affairs.