by Krystal Paco

Guam - While the re-election for the president of the Guam Federation of Teachers is well underway, union member and teacher Carol Somerfleck continues to pursue a writ of mandate against current president Matt Rector. At today's special proceedings hearing Presiding Judge Alberto Lamorena looked into current GFT president Rector's motion to remove Somerfleck's attorney, Dan Somerfleck - what Rector claims is a conflict of interest.

Dan Somerfleck believes the motion is harassment, saying, "It's kind of an interesting motion ordinarily if someone is upset that an attorney that used to represent them has crossed over to the other side; you usually don't wait 'til the case has already been argued to the court. You should bring that motion up as soon the case is filed." He continued, "They didn't allege what the conflict was other than I worked for them some two years ago and the judge took our pleadings and submitted under advisement, so the judge will take a look at our paperwork and make a ruling."

Last November Agana Heights Elementary School teacher Carol Somerfleck filed a writ of mandate against Rector for failing to follow Guam law and Guam Federation of Teachers' constitution protocol that requires two-thirds of the union vote on any changes to the constitution. "The writ was to ensure that GFT follows local laws and not try to have meetings without properly notifying members," said the lawyer.

In the meantime, Carol Somerfleck says union members should be getting their ballots in the mail this week as they elect a new president. She adds that the re-election unveiled that there are less than 2,000 union members. Significantly less than the thousands rector reported prior. Somerfleck is one of three GFT president hopefuls, which include current vice-president Tim Fedenko and Alutig Busing's Ed Quintanilla.

Somerfleck advises members to contact the GFT office if they don't receive their ballots by the end of this week. The Department of Labor is expected to tally the votes come June 2.