by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - Speaking earlier this month on the value of dialogue, Speaker Judi Won Pat followed through on her inaugural address about the need to communicate better by meeting with Governor Eddie Calvo this morning. Ultimately blaming herself and the governor for what she called a classic breakdown in communication between the Legislature and the Administration in the past two years, Won Pat kept her word by opening the lines of communication by meeting with Calvo this morning.

"We kind of talked a little bit about how when we were colleagues in the Legislature that we really got along very well, and this separation and how politics sometimes separates us," she said.

Won Pat initiated the courtesy visit which lasted about an hour. "And both of us agreed that we'll continue the dialogue, and we start off later with a separate private meeting with him and I, like a work session so to speak and the second will be to try and bring in the leadership to meet with him," she said.

In the 31st Guam Legislature, it appeared the Democrat majority and the Administration seemed to be at odds over several issues from government finances to election reform to abortion.

Governor Calvo meanwhile says he's taken to heart Won Pat's offer for closer dialogue and communication, saying, "I did make mention to her that I did talk to all members of my cabinet to engage with all their oversight chairs, to engage with all of their senators so that there's a clear exchange of information dialogue."

And with so many challenges and opportunities awaiting this current Guam Legislature, both say they look forward to more meetings in the future. "So this is an important time for all of us starting this new to come together and deal with those issues," said the governor, with the speaker adding, "it was a good start."

Won Pat adds since Governor Calvo is expected to attend the National Governors Association Conference next month in Washington, DC, she hopes he can bring whatever concerns are raised in these meetings to other government officials.