Voters are looking for senators with a focus on health, education and public safety | News

The 15 senators who will take office in 2025 must take note: Many of your constituents have taken notice over the past two years, and many of them are not happy.

All voters interviewed by Pacific Daily News on Saturday believe senators can do more and better if they work together.

Lita Larz of Barrigada believes senators can do more to get beggars and people without homes off the streets.

“They should at least give them space, do something for them, improve the situation of these people,” she said. “Sometimes they are scary where they can walk right up to your car. This is really not nice for the island. They can benefit from improvements.”

Larz said senators can also do more to help uninsured people get quality health care that will improve their health.

Austin Fernandez of Yona said the government must hurry up and open the track to motorsports now. He and his 8-year-old daughter Auhriene enjoy racing ATVs but haven’t been able to do so since Guam Raceway Park closed.

“The people of Guam need a place where everyone can take their madness and put it somewhere where it can be controlled, instead of throwing it out onto the street,” he said. “I’ve seen it around lately, like people are doing it on all the roads. It’s better for this to happen in a controlled area and not put anyone in danger.

April Mendiola may remain in Yigo, but her ties to the southern part of the island run deep.

“We need a hospital in the south. I’m sorry, but this has always been one of my dreams,” she said.

Her friend Divina Danila from Barrigada said the government must hurry up and open a clinic in Mangilao.

“It’s been going on for three years and I’m waiting,” Danila said. “They’re trying to hire, but I hope they hire more locals because I mostly meet travelers and, you know, I try to support the locals.”

Toto resident Benita Lizama had a lot to say about the next term.

“They have to work not only with each other as senators, but they have to work with the governor, you know, and make amends. Because I think it doesn’t matter who the governor is or who the senators are … they should focus on who the people are,” she said. “We want them to cooperate and deliver what is best for the people and the island. Because we are too small to argue.”

“And what else? They need to improve education, schools, school environments and I think they need to respect teachers as well. I believe that safety in schools should be improved. And the teacher’s salary, and I say this because I am a teacher.

Toto’s Tony Garcia said future senators must focus on public safety.

“Keep bad people behind bars. We also need drug testing for law enforcement more often, that is, let’s do it every month,” he said. “We also need a new hospital in the south. And roads, you know, maintain roads. Get the funds and spend them on roads, not elsewhere. How many times are you driving at night and you don’t see the white lines so you turn. At least these, but most importantly, education. That case we had about schools not being inspected on time. “Children don’t have to go through this, it’s a lot of bullshit from the government.”