by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - The Port Authority believes several appeals filed by former port workers should be thrown out because the time for the Civil Service Commission to act has expired. Port legal counsel John Bell argues that Guam law requires the commission to take action on personnel actions or complaints within 180 days. Bell contends the commission lacks jurisdiction to hear the appeal of former port marketing administrator Bernadette Stern Meno as more than 400 days have passed since she filed an appeal of her termination from the port. The same question is currently before the superior court in three separate petitions related to other terminated port workers. Commission executive director Tony Lamorena declined to comment on the CSC's opinion on the matter because of the pending cases that are before the superior court. Meno's attorney Curtis Van De Veld meanwhile opposes the dismissal. He contends the particular section in the law regarding the 180 days only applies to investigations that the commission conducts and not hearings for employees.

Additionally he says procedures for adverse action are outlined in a separate statute and only require that matters be handled as expeditiously as possible.