FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE (June 19, 2019 – Hagåtña) – I acknowledge that there are personnel actions pending, however, I am deeply troubled by this recent move by the administration to dismiss the State Historic Preservation Officer in the midst of one of the largest construction projects in our recent history, including the bulldozing of 5000 acres of limestone forest and numerous historic sites.  We are in desperate need of persistent and loud voices pushing for historic preservation particularly as DOD continues to insist destruction is “unavoidable”. 

The SHPO has been one of Guam’s biggest and sometimes only advocate for the protection of precious cultural and historical resources while many remain silent.

The SHPO, in her official capacity, had to witness and carry the burden of representing Guam and the Chamorro people in the face of ten years of the largest buildup in the history of peace.  I had high hopes this new administration would help shore up the legal or other expert resources that office needs to truly represent Guam.  To put someone inexperienced in an acting capacity leaves Guam vulnerable to further bulldozing of historic sites and leaves Guam voiceless during a critical period of potential harm to our culture and our environment.  Silencing and intimidation are the opposite of standing up for the people of Guam.