Landowners will ask court to order payment

by Mindy Aguon

Guam - Landowners have filed a motion to intervene as they want the District Court to order the federal receiver to pay up. Acquisition of the Layon landfill land was mandated by order of the court through the consent decree.  The landowners, which include the Calvo, Ysrael, Arriola, Holmes and Sy families, have been waiting for just compensation and despite a $21.7 million judgment being entered late last year, they have not received any compensation.  

According to the landowner's motion, failure to pay the judgment could result in the title of the land being transferred to them which would impact the government's ability to comply with the consent decree.

Every month the government doesn't pay up, results in $110,000 in interest.  The landowners, through Attorney Anita Arriola, contend the receiver could pay the judgment with proceeds from the Government of Guam's consent decree bonds.