Tensions rise at GVB board meeting

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Photo credit: Josh Tyquiengco, GVB

In light of the tourism industry slowing down, a Guam Visitors Bureau board meeting was held but not without a lack of quorum and a clash of opinions.

As the meeting proceeded, GVB President Carl Gutierrez continuously told GVB board chairman Milton Morinaga that the board didn’t have a quorum, meaning official action can’t be taken.

“They have a quorum. They don’t have a quorum at this point right? They don’t. Okay then.” were some exchanges made during the meeting.

“But you can’t call an order when there’s no quorum,” says GVB President Carl Gutierrez.

GVB tried to get Mongmong Tototo Maite Mayor Rudy Paco to attend the meeting and reach the quorum needed, but he couldn’t be reached.

“Paco, where is he?” asked GVB Board Chairman Milton Morinaga.

“That’s your problem. You’re the chairman,” says Gutierrez.

Morinaga continued, “Now it’s my problem?”

“You’re the one that called the meeting, you should have your board member here,” replied Gutierrez.

The meeting further went on with Sam Shinohara, of United Airlines, who asked for the board to redirect their focus on the issues, “Hey guys. Can we please keep this professional guys? Please.”

“You know, this is really frustrating for me, on my end. It’s been eight months since this board has convened. The tourism industry is in no… We are not anywhere since recovered. And you know, I just think it’s shameful that this group can’t find a way to work together to figure out how we can collaborate to get things done,” says Shinohara.

Ultimately a meeting didn’t happen, as they couldn’t establish a quorum.

Morinaga said that they did not want to continue with it as they did not want to commit illegal offenses.


Contact Jannette Samson | E-mail: jannette@spbguam.com | Phone: 671-689-2842

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Jannette Samson is a broadcast reporter for the Pacific News Center. Her beats are lifestyle, tourism, and crime, among others. Aside from being a reporter, she is also PNC's social media and web editor. You can sometimes hear her reporting the latest headlines for you on Sorensen Media Group's radio stations and on K57. Some of Jannette's passions include art, beauty, and blogging. She paints, creates prints, and dabbles in various art media in her free time. Jannette is also a self-taught makeup artist. In addition to that, she is a visual artist. Her artwork was featured in many art exhibitions and galleries in Guam such as Imbentibu Famalao'an I at the Castro Art Gallery; Imbentibu Famalao'an II and Body Beautiful at the Lees-Reyes Art Gallery; the 2020 University of Guam Undergraduate Exhibition; and the Annual Research Conference Art Exhibition at the Isla Center for the Arts.