Congress will hear about Guam's military build-up

I don’t recall what the military population was on Guam when I was stationed there in mid-1970s. But it wasn’t easy finding housing. I almost always lived off based in my nearly three years of living on the island. My favorite was a house on the island’s south side (and as hard as I try I can’t remember the street name). It was on a dead-end street and my neighbors were wonderful folks – always inviting us to parties and making us feel as if we were part of the family. We tried to return that favor as best as we could by buying supplies for them at the PX.

I also lived in one the downtown towers off Marine Drive, high up. Never really liked the location. Although it was technically urban, Guam isn't a pedestrian friendly place -- you need a car to go almost anyplace it seemed.

The pending military will impact rental housing on the island. It will probably make housing hard to find and expensive, much like it was during the 1970s. That will be a good thing for property owners generally, but for people who rent, and by this I mean the island's longtime residents, it may become a difficult issue. But the build-up will likely create new jobs, increase hotel occupancies, and travel generally to the island.

I don’t know yet who is testifying at a congressional hearing set for Aug. 13 at the University of Guam, but I’ll look forward to reading the testimony and expect it will offer a good synopsis of some of the challenges facing Guam. It’s being held by the Insular Affairs Subcommittee field hearing on "U.S. Military Buildup on Guam and Challenges Facing the Community." The PDN has a report on it. Guam Rep. Madeleine Z. Bordallo is on that committee.