Calvo: Port's pitch sends wrong message

by Mindy Aguon

Guam - $2.5 million in proposed raises for management and critical positions at the Port Authority of Guam isn't sitting well not only with the agency's board members, but with Governor Eddie Calvo.  The board is working with management to develop a sound budget as concerns had been raised that the proposed budget sought the management raises as well as other questionable items like $45,000 for office supplies and iPads. 

Governor Calvo says like the Port, he would like to pay increments and raises too but it's just not financially feasible right now. "The Port obviously is autonomous, it has its own funding source but also there is a message here that if there is one agency that is giving raises in one area where the rest of the government is not. I do believe there is an issue of sending mixed messages and signals to all the people of Guam," he said.

The port board and management will meet next Wednesday to try to clean up the proposed budget and approval could occur before Christmas to give the port workers their $1.7 million in increments.