by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - Governor Eddie Calvo is set to deliver his third State of the Island Address this evening. And most likely he'll focus on the progress made in the last year, the challenges and issues his administration continues to face and the initiatives moving forward. And it already has people talking.

He's at the halfway mark of his administration's first term in office and the island's chief executive says he and Lieutenant Governor Ray Tenorio have kept their word. "We are fighting poverty, improving services in your government and building a sustainable future for this island," Calvo declared in his Weekly Radio Address today. And tonight, the governor will deliver his third State of the Island Address, discussing an array of topics - one of which will most likely include working tirelessly to fix the Government of Guam's finances- an issue he discussed today.

"We paid out tax refunds, we also started paying old bills like the meritorious bonuses to outstanding employees; an unfunded mandate from 1991. It was with a clear directive to save, and pay past-due obligations that we are setting the tone for proper cash management throughout your government" he said.

Democratic Party of Guam executive director Carlo Branch meanwhile says he's rooting for Calvo to dwell on detailed plans in his address. "But what we really want from Adelup is a State of the Island Address that is full of truths and not half-truths," said Branch. He specifically is referring to the latest jobs report issued by the Guam Department of Labor indicating the island's workforce grew with nearly 1,300 new private sector jobs in one year - a sign Governor Calvo says of the economy getting better.

Branch, however, says the Administration isn't telling the whole truth. "The truth of the matter is that under Eddie Calvo's administration we've lost private sector jobs when compared to Governor [Felix] Camacho's term in office for the same time period," he said.

The Governor's Office today responded saying the numbers speak for themselves. In his weekly address, Calvo says it hasn't been an easy road, noting, "The grumbling of naysayers still managed to grab attention over the hard work we've put to stabilizing your government and finding solid ground. That only emboldens us to work even hard. I agree with him, but we should listen to the truth-sayers, and when you compare Felix Camacho's term in office for the same period against Eddie Calvo's you'll notice two facts that are un-debatable. Number one, Eddie Calvo has now pushed more people into welfare and number two Felix Camacho was better for private sector work."

Branch sent out a second release today saying more residents are on food stamps now than before Calvo assumed office accounting for a 22.2% increase. It remains to be seen whether Calvo will address the Democratic Party's critiques, but Calvo says he has been working in bi-partisan with the Legislature and Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo.

"Our conversations in the spirit of bi-partisanship will enhance our service for you who voted us into office. We're all working for the same thing: to make our island better than it already is for everyone," he said.