Cruz slams Moylan on Naval water hike; delegate attacks opponent’s experience
The Navy is going to make water service costs more expensive for Guamanians by charging more for water pumped from the island, and Guam’s congressman did nothing to stop it from happening. This is according to Democratic congressional candidate Ginger Cruz, who issued a news release slamming Republican congressman Jim Moylan. Mr. Moylan confirmed he was not aware of the increase until officials at Guam Waterworks Authority informed him. He also claimed that Ms. Cruz’s assessment of the setback is ill-informed and shows she “lacks experience” in the way Congress works.
The Navy has doubled the price it charges GWA for water pumped from Fena since October 1, according to GWA general manager Miguel Bordallo.
Ginger Cruz
“This drastic hike in water costs is a blow to our working families, who are already struggling to pay their bills,” the news release from Ms. Cruz’s campaign states. “This increase is made all the more harmful by the fact that Guam residents are paying an exorbitant price for the use of the Navy’s Fena treatment system —a system that uses Guam’s water.”
“I appreciate the concerns raised by Candidate Cruz in a release issued by her campaign this morning, and just as with all constituent concerns, we will certainly prioritize the issue,” Mr. Moylan, who is running for reelection, said in a news release responding to the Cruz news release. “For starters, I want to emphasize the problem with the U.S. The Navy doubling the price of water was just brought to our attention within the past 24 hours by an official of the Guam Waterworks Authority. We all agree this is unacceptable, not just for ratepayers, but the people of Guam.”
It is the fact that the congressman was unaware of such a significant Naval decision that concerns Ms. Cruz most.
“At a time when working families are already facing economic hardships, our Delegate should have been on top of this issue, fighting to protect our interests,” Ms. Cruz said, “Instead, we are left wondering whether he didn’t know this increase was coming, or worse if he simply didn’t care.”
Mr. Moylan said that since learning of the issue his office has requested a meeting with Meredith Berger, who is the powerful Naval assistant secretary for energy, installations, and environment. “Secretary Berger,” he said in his statement, “has some authority over this issue and our goal is to try and reach an administrative resolution, which won’t impact the pocketbooks of our ratepayers. How this discussion goes will determine the next steps.”
“When the [Consolidated Commission on Utilities] has to tell our delegate what the Navy has decided for Guam, it’s clear that our current representation in Congress is not working,” Ms. Cruz said. “Guam deserves better. CCU members indicated a need to contact Guam’s delegate. Their hope is that future hikes could be avoided through some amendment in the NDAA.”
Jim Moylan
Mr. Moylan criticized the idea of seeking a solution through the current proposed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), saying it’s a done deal and that if Guam tries to make changes to it at this point, it would jeopardize other programs he said he managed to include into the massive military funding act. According to the congressman, these include “$140 million to repair Guam’s roads, $167 million to repair the Glass Breakwater, and recognizing three of Guam’s Vietnam Conflict heroes with the distinguished Medal of Honor.”
Cruz acknowledged that while the Consolidated Commission on Utilities (CCU) has indicated they may have the tools to mitigate the immediate cost, CCU Commissioner Simon Sanchez made it clear that this risks becoming an out-of-pocket expense for ratepayers in the long term. “This situation underscores the importance of proactive leadership,” Cruz emphasized. “Even if Moylan was unable to prevent the rate hike, he had a responsibility to prepare the community for this possibility and work toward long-term solutions that protect our families.”
He said that if reelected, he would seek a long term solution to the Naval price hike on water through the 2026 NDAA and the MilCon Appropriations Bill. And he clapped back at his opponent, saying “We recognize and accept that candidate Cruz lacks experience on how the congressional, or even legislative process works. You don’t find solutions by being the loudest in the room, or even acting as if you have all the answers. At least not in Congress. You find answers by working with others and seeking legislative vehicles.”
Ms. Cruz has been critical of her opponent’s silence on a number of issues and has posited that she will be a congresswoman who engages better and more often with the right federal officials to resolve federal issues for Guam in Congress.
“This situation underscores the importance of proactive leadership,” Ms. Cruz emphasized. “Even if Moylan was unable to prevent the rate hike, he had a responsibility to prepare the community for this possibility and work toward long-term solutions that protect our families.”
“Our office is not interested in the fabrication of stories, accusing government agencies and employees, or playing dirty politics as some are doing,” Mr. Moylan said in reply.
The story isn’t fabricated, though. The rate hike already has happened, and it has the potential of being passed on to GWA customers. And Ms. Cruz did not blame any government agency or employee but Mr. Moylan. “Guam cannot afford to be left in the dark on critical issues like this,” she said. “I am committed to ensuring that we are always prepared, always informed, and always fighting for the best interests of our people.”
It’s time Guam increases the minimum wage to $20 hr. Lack of adequate housing, elevated food costs, increasing rates for a sub-par power grid. NOW THIS.
2 Comments
Sadog Tasi Resident
08/22/2024 at 3:11 PM
It’s time Guam increases the minimum wage to $20 hr. Lack of adequate housing, elevated food costs, increasing rates for a sub-par power grid. NOW THIS.
Guam is NOT paradise.
Alan San Nicolas
08/24/2024 at 7:31 AM
Man chekle (sakke) I amerikano (gobetno,militat) !! Ma amot hit ni saddok ta (hanom ta) pues mas apas malago niha. Taimamalao !