Mayors create non-profit group to plan Liberation

by Krystal Paco

Guam - The Mayors Council of Guam is already gearing up for Liberation Day festivities, but is doing things a little differently for 2013. According to executive director Angel Sablan, the Council is forming a non-profit organization to operate Liberation Day planning.

He explained, "This entity that's going to run the liberation is very much a part of the Council. We're only doing this because of the requirements we have to go through - if we leave it in the MCOG, we fall under all the same parameters as far as procurement, but if we put it under a non-profit organization then basically that organization is able to make judgments on its own."

Sablan adds in light of sequestration, military groups may not be able to participate in the island's parade. "We may not even have the flyovers or the troops parading down Marine Corps Drive, so we need to get more participation from the village. That's why we're starting this thing early."

The first meeting of the new organization is set for Monday at 5:30pm at the MCOG office in Hagatna.

This year's theme is "Stories of Courage and Faith."