by Lannie Walker

Guam - A public hearing was held this morning on Bill 489, which proposes the issuance of a $70 million bond to buy land and construct a new Guam Museum in Tumon. The bill identifies Faifai Estate as the possible site of museum.

However, Senator Ben Pangelinan, who authored the bill, says that as new information has become available, the legislature will consider all property in the area that is for sale. "But we're not trying to buy any property that's not being sold," Pangelinan clarified. "We're not trying to take anybody's property away. We're trying to provide resources to buy property that provides great recreational access in a good area from willing sellers."

Others in the community like Ted Nelson and Joe Taitano urged lawmakers to ensure that the rightful owners of the Faifai property are compensated as there's been some dispute in recent years. The Guam Legislature is also considering gun beach as a site for the museum.