A litany of thanks and some words of advice

Several weeks have passed since Typhoon Soudelor brought destruction and our recovery has moved along, thanks to the assistance of many different groups.

I would like to thank the Marines, Navy, and Army for moving essential equipment and personnel by air and sea so quickly after the storm as well as for the removal of debris at our schools and essential potable water delivery for the period when we did not have enough drinking water. Special thanks goes to Rear Adm. Bolivar for her support of the mission.

FEMA has provided generous financial terms for the recovery, with the full support of President Obama and our Congressman Gregorio Kilili Sablan.

Private organizations like the American Red Cross, Karidat, Salvation Army, Lion’s Club and others have contributed and will continue to contribute to the recovery.

My thanks goes to local businesses that cooperated to clean up in the time after the storm, provided needed supplies, maintained store hours for as long as they could, and for sharing resources to make it through the toughest times.

There are businesses that do not think it is their business to clean up the area around them, including public easement. There are businesses leasing public land who have not yet inspected their property along the main roads but it is obvious that they will not clean up the debris fronting their public land lease and are waiting for the government to do the cleanup. The Department of Public Lands should urge them to be good neighbors by spending the money to help clean up the area around them. It is a small gesture but would be appreciated by everybody.

There are still many people who are in need of help and may also be in need of help to bring attention to their situation. So if you know someone that still needs help, please help them by bringing these recovery agencies to their attention. If you don’t need help, please don’t apply. If you need help, please find every means to get the help, including friends and neighbors.

Our recovery would be much slower if not for the help of other federal agencies including EPA, Coast Guard and others, most especially the CUC line crews and waterworks, the Guam Power Authority crews, the CPA staff who kept the ports open for important goods, the hospital staff and many others equally deserving of mention but work silently and without notice. My thanks goes to the Inos administration, the Governor and Lt. Governor, the Office of the Mayor, and their hardworking ground crews.

Juan S. (Santiago) Tenorio
Airport Road, Saipan