by Shauna Morato for KUAM News

The Mayors Council of Guam held their monthly meeting and touched on the plans and problems surrounding this year’s Liberation Day festivities.

Kiddos are out of school, sunsets are getting later, and the rain continues to pour. All telltale signs that summer is kicking into high gear and Guam is coming up on its 81st liberation day. This year, however,it's looking like there are going to be some changes.

"I’m thankful for those of you who want to support this, and I’m just going to let you know it has not been easy. It has not," expressed council president Jesse Alig had to say during this morning's monthly meeting for June about the prospects for this year's festivities. Alig spoke candidly about the challenges of holding this year's celebration and addressed the main issue: budget.

"You know why our hands are tied now?" he challenged, stating, "Because we have a balance in 2017 or 2016. So Rev & Tax will not stamp our application."

Alig pressed on the issue, stating that the outstanding balance now stands in the way of Liberation Day progress and that their hands are tied. He continued, "And I’m not going to just stop now and go run up to DRT and resolve this issue. What if they tell us we owe $100,000-some? Do we have $100,000? No. If we owe backtaxes, what money are we gonna use? We spent it all. We spent it all last year. I just want you to remember that."

Despite the restrictions, Alig expressed a strong desire to the council to continue working to hold a celebration, even if they must be scaled down. However, he also recognized that the changes may be more significant than is ideal, noting, "Ao, whatever event we do, on July 19, 20, 21 may not have any kind of color game or beto beto, or even alcohol, because we have to resolve this issue."

This wasn’t the only conversation about Liberation Day, however, as Yona mayor Brian J. Terlaje talked about the status of the upcoming pageant. He said, "There are six wonderful contestants and the Mayors Council and the island of Guam, get ready for a show!"

This year’s pageant includes six candidates hailing from Piti, Yona, Chalan Pago, Santa Rita-Sumai, Yigo, and Mangilao. Tickets will be sold by the liberation queen candidates leading up to the event. Pageant and coronation night will be held at Leo Palace Resort on Friday, June 27, at 6:30pm.