Fiscal storms ahead

The headline says CHCC owes CUC some $31 million. Ooops! Unsettling, given bad tidings of the economy taking heavy descent or drop. The implication is simple: far less money in the coffers.

Be that as it may, increase or decrease in revenue generation is as perennial as the grass. Negative revenue, though, isn’t a fiscally conducive setting to plan use of funds that don’t exist. Call it fiscal instability, therefore, uncertainty.

The net result would be cuts and real time budgeting! It’s a bad fiscal script that begins to be fashionable. It means resetting buttons on spending forthwith or we’d be singing The Long and Winding Road to the local treasury.

Investments

Has there been any appreciable resurgence of investments here in recent past or has it taken an R&R in stagnation?

Remember the exit of Nippon investments in recent past? Has anyone looked at the loss of such exit or “not yet, already?” How do you work without the requisite information? Not all tidings are negative in this regard.

Senate President Vic Hocog and Sen. Terry Santos related that “fresh” investments are headed to the islands, specifically Rota, in the near term.

“It should reboot investments here moving forward,” said Hocog. “It’s a matter of fostering lasting partnership with major investors where benefits are mutual over the long-term,” added Santos.

I liken our task to taking trips beyond the reef where we return to the shore time and again to assess our quick journey, its benefits, subsequently turning our attention to what lies ahead.

Is there anything within the realm of investment prospects we could look forward to with optimism for real growth and development and shouldn’t we be taking proactive roles promoting these isles as good investment venues?

More $$$

Sen. Terry Santos announced that some $1 million is now available for monthly interisland stipend, medical allowance and other assistance for the first senatorial district.

“Grateful to Sen. President Vic Hocog for his dedicated efforts ascertaining funds for Rota,” she noted. Santos is relentless when it comes to issues of interest of the island she represents.

Challenge

A plan is a set of policy designed to upgrade the quality of life of people at home.

Have been waiting around for some hopeful tidings of major economic plans to move growth and development forward.

But the choir is stuck, intoning Silent Night for one reason or another. How about changing the song into something more joyful and hopeful?

Magoo wasn’t as compassionate as he used to be declaring, “Da Boysis are sleeping on da wheels!” Give it time, sir! Something may be in the back burner already or is it more like “not yet, already?”

It only takes a simple purposeful planning session to move issues forward that must come from Da Boysis converging.

Reflect

Culture depicts a way of life for the indigenous people. In other words, we live it daily since time immemorial. Why would we want to reflect on it? Would not assessing change be the more realistic paradigm?

I’m sure you know that culture is language. Have we done anything in major ways to ensure the use of Chamorro at home? Has mom and dad used it daily in their interaction with kids?

Reflection is a good break for purposes of reassessment. But ensuring the use of Chamorro by using it daily is the sure way to keeping culture alive. Reiterating: Culture is Language!

At home, grand kids know that grandpa speaks only Chamorro. It’s an imposition of sort so they learn their lingo. Yes, they’d speak it even with strange pronunciations but we laugh and learn together as partners. Use it!

Other?

I’ve heard the term “corruption” expressed by folks from all over this archipelago. It is used loosely as to turn into acceptable usage discounting that it could lead to some serious legal issues.

Let’s say a certain manager implements a program involving disposition of funds, local or federal. In the process, he disposed of it where he pockets some for his use. In other words, he made money on a personal basis beyond normal income. Would this action fit the term corruption?

What about subordinate employees who partake in the corrupt activities of Da Boss? They too would have “their day in court” scratching their heads how they’ve easily succumbed to criminal activities.

It takes real integrity to work within policy mandates you’re tasked to implement and follow. I’m sure a cell room in Susupe is furthest from your mind. Honesty is still the best policy!