Mayors irked at non-involvement in bill

by Mindy Aguon

Guam - Island mayors aren't so pleased that they weren't consulted about a bill that would create a Safe Schools Program. Bill 177, introduced by Senator Aline Yamashita, would establish school crimestoppers. The legislation was in reaction to vandals targeting several schools. 

But Yigo Mayor Robert Lizama believes the bill needs to identify resources to help them, saying, "Here's another bill that identifies the Mayors Council of Guam's involvement they're asking for our participation, now perhaps that becomes law. They give us a law to mandate us; now what's happening here is they're forever giving us the responsibility but not giving us the financial support nor giving us personnel."

A public hearing on Bill 177 is scheduled for Tuesday at 2 at the Legislative Public Hearing Room in Hagatna.