By now, in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, many proven leaders are eyeing a position in leadership.
Whether as governor, lieutenant governor, delegate to Congress or attorney general, each of them is presumably familiar with the list of obligations and responsibilities that accompany each of these
crucial positions.
Many leaders have begun planning their platforms.
There are the legacy concerns that fall to local government — education, healthcare and public safety, and each of the islands have their challenges.
Annual budgets and relationships within the legislatures and with hard-working mayors are part and parcel of the job.
While national party platforms may be part of a platform, it is issues closer to home that rule the roost in the islands.
And while asking for votes is practically a cultural obligation, times change, and voters have also moved to considering issues that affect their daily lives.
For delegates, there is the ongoing challenge of the ability to vote and for residents to vote. Any step forward would be historic. The time to seek assurances of progress is upon us.
In Guam, we have other perennial problems — such as the permitting process and trash collection.
Each of these issues need a specific and well-thought-out plan — and even more so, the ability to carry out whatever the plans turn out to be.
It is no good relying on the honor system for trash or saying that education in social responsibility is the answer — though education never goes amiss.
That stance simply leads to dumping.
Saipan and Palau are examples of islands that do not have visible dumping and litter issues or present a picture of a Third World environment to visitors.
For any business considering a new project, expansion, renovation or a similar endeavor, the permitting process in Guam is an extra and unique burden.
Planners are unable to move forward due to the uncertainty of the variety of permits needed. Firm guidelines need to be set and adhered to, and timelines met by the agencies involved.
The shorter and simpler the election manifesto, the better.
But well-conceived ideas are surely welcome in these challenging times, and before the multiple community debates begin. mbj
Whether as governor, lieutenant governor, delegate to Congress or attorney general, each of them is presumably familiar with the list of obligations and responsibilities that accompany each of these
crucial positions.
Many leaders have begun planning their platforms.
There are the legacy concerns that fall to local government — education, healthcare and public safety, and each of the islands have their challenges.
Annual budgets and relationships within the legislatures and with hard-working mayors are part and parcel of the job.
While national party platforms may be part of a platform, it is issues closer to home that rule the roost in the islands.
And while asking for votes is practically a cultural obligation, times change, and voters have also moved to considering issues that affect their daily lives.
For delegates, there is the ongoing challenge of the ability to vote and for residents to vote. Any step forward would be historic. The time to seek assurances of progress is upon us.
In Guam, we have other perennial problems — such as the permitting process and trash collection.
Each of these issues need a specific and well-thought-out plan — and even more so, the ability to carry out whatever the plans turn out to be.
It is no good relying on the honor system for trash or saying that education in social responsibility is the answer — though education never goes amiss.
That stance simply leads to dumping.
Saipan and Palau are examples of islands that do not have visible dumping and litter issues or present a picture of a Third World environment to visitors.
For any business considering a new project, expansion, renovation or a similar endeavor, the permitting process in Guam is an extra and unique burden.
Planners are unable to move forward due to the uncertainty of the variety of permits needed. Firm guidelines need to be set and adhered to, and timelines met by the agencies involved.
The shorter and simpler the election manifesto, the better.
But well-conceived ideas are surely welcome in these challenging times, and before the multiple community debates begin. mbj
