The Guam Chamber of Commerce and the Guam Visitors Bureau are to be commended for coming together to launch efforts to clean up the island. That initiative was unveiled at the chamber’s membership lunch on May 29 at the Hilton.
Our neighbors in Saipan and Palau have more pride in their islands than residents in Guam apparently do.
And anybody who has visited Japan knows that its citizens are civic minded enough to take their personal trash home with them.
Ben Ferguson, vice president of P.H.R. Ken Micronesia Inc. and general manager of Pacific Islands Club Guam launched the campaign at the lunch.
A video of graffiti and trash on Route 1 – Marine Corps Drive – brought home the message that we also see throughout the island and at tourist destinations – that people don’t care about how the island looks.
As Ferguson said, graffiti is not art, and it’s illegal.
Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio shared in his own presentation to the membership the progress that Guam’s Islandwide Beautification Task Force has made under his chairmanship — all commendable efforts.
Tenorio also referred to efforts made to rid the island of stray dogs — some abandoned by people who leave the island, some the result of a lack of neutering and spaying. These dogs — often in packs — can be seen at various island malls, and outside grocery stores and restaurants, because people feed them. And sometimes these dogs can be aggressive.
Tenorio also shared frustrations that after every cleanup of abandoned vehicles in the island’s villages, more junk cars appear on the side of the roads.
He also spoke of the intention to put liens on abandoned properties.
“It’s a perfect time to do a refresh of the island,” Tenorio said.
This is true.
Equally true is Ferguson’s comments that the island apparently needs an education campaign because people don’t appreciate or understand the issue with dumping trash.
It’s a message underscored by the people who throw large bags of trash out of their vehicles on the island’s roads or leave their trash on the island’s beaches.
These are issues we have discussed in Guam before.
We’ll see if this campaign and the concerted efforts of the Government of Guam, two civic organizations and Crimestoppers will prevail. mbj
Our neighbors in Saipan and Palau have more pride in their islands than residents in Guam apparently do.
And anybody who has visited Japan knows that its citizens are civic minded enough to take their personal trash home with them.
Ben Ferguson, vice president of P.H.R. Ken Micronesia Inc. and general manager of Pacific Islands Club Guam launched the campaign at the lunch.
A video of graffiti and trash on Route 1 – Marine Corps Drive – brought home the message that we also see throughout the island and at tourist destinations – that people don’t care about how the island looks.
As Ferguson said, graffiti is not art, and it’s illegal.
Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio shared in his own presentation to the membership the progress that Guam’s Islandwide Beautification Task Force has made under his chairmanship — all commendable efforts.
Tenorio also referred to efforts made to rid the island of stray dogs — some abandoned by people who leave the island, some the result of a lack of neutering and spaying. These dogs — often in packs — can be seen at various island malls, and outside grocery stores and restaurants, because people feed them. And sometimes these dogs can be aggressive.
Tenorio also shared frustrations that after every cleanup of abandoned vehicles in the island’s villages, more junk cars appear on the side of the roads.
He also spoke of the intention to put liens on abandoned properties.
“It’s a perfect time to do a refresh of the island,” Tenorio said.
This is true.
Equally true is Ferguson’s comments that the island apparently needs an education campaign because people don’t appreciate or understand the issue with dumping trash.
It’s a message underscored by the people who throw large bags of trash out of their vehicles on the island’s roads or leave their trash on the island’s beaches.
These are issues we have discussed in Guam before.
We’ll see if this campaign and the concerted efforts of the Government of Guam, two civic organizations and Crimestoppers will prevail. mbj