David Manning, the face and overlord of Guam’s solid waste receivership for more than a decade, has died at the age of 69.
Manning was in charge of Guam’s solid waste receivership beginning in 2008 when U.S. District Court Judge Frances M. Tydingco-Gatewood appointed Manning’s firm, Gershman Brickner & Bratton, as the Guam receiver.
Manning had full responsibility for bringing the Guam Solid Waste Management Division, now the Guam Solid Waste Authority (GSWA), into compliance with the 2004 Consent Decree for violation of the Clean Water Act.
He became infamous for charging everything to the government of Guam during his stay on the island, even the time he spent giving media interviews.
On April 29, 2019 the court issued an order partially ending the receivership, saying it is very proud of the work accomplished by the receiver over the last 11 years.
“While many people on Guam have been helpful and supportive of our work, it is important to recognize that none of it would have been possible without the courage and leadership of Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood,” said Manning who was GBB’s Special Principal Associate and Receiver Representative at the time.
Before relinquishing the receivership, Manning said Guam now has the tools it needs to serve the island’s solid waste needs, but it will also need its political leadership to provide meaningful support and protect it from destructive interference going forward.
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