ABRAHAM Maslow once said: "The single holistic principle that binds together the multiplicity of human motives is the tendency for a new and higher need to emerge as the lower need fulfills itself by being sufficiently gratified.”

I firmly believe that when our government takes care of threats to a decent quality of life in our villages, our people will live well and can raise their families in a decent environment. Perhaps, then, our people would have a better outlook of our government; they can be cooperative, productive, and much more participative. Villages will be vibrant and full of excitement.

The flooding problem in Agat and its grave consequences can only be described as horrific. Many of our people have a difficult time thinking beyond the threats of flooding even when only a tiny speck of rain falls from the sky. They are constantly looking at the sky, not looking for “da plane-da plane,” but for dark clouds. They built forts and trenches around their homes preparing for flood war, ready for the onslaught. Piles of dirt and rocks are placed near rivers looking like a beaver’s safe haven. People stay in hotels when their homes are flooded only to return to a disaster costing them thousands of dollars. After a flood, shrimp, fish and eels get stuck in yards making them fair game without much effort. Couches, refrigerators, chairs, washing machines, dryers and clothes, to name a few, are big-ticket items landing in yards ready for a huge yard sale. What about diseases that permeate in yards and streets where our children play?

Now that the rainy season is upon us, wouldn’t you feel constantly depressed and stressed out? Would you be pursuing higher-order needs when your safety and security needs are constantly threatened? What about the threats to the morale of the children? Think about it.

The most tragic part of this horrific problem is that many homes will soon plummet into rivers due to decades and decades of erosion. Residents feel they have been abandoned. All they hear are lame excuses like: Who told you to build your home in a low lying area; it’s the government’s problem; and the popular one – there’s no money.

A recommended short-term solution that may not be too costly is to dig ponding basins where water originates. This could slow down or eliminate flooding. Since water doesn’t originate far inland, a long-range plan could be made for a waterway to the ocean. Work can then begin to mitigate the erosion problem. Sound too ambitious? People power can make it happen; excuses aren’t going to hack it.

Responsible leaders think creatively and they work feverishly to pursue and resolve tough challenges like flooding. They don’t even think of making excuses. They never settle for lip service.

“Every man ought to be inquisitive through every hour of his great adventure down to the day when he shall no longer cast a shadow in the sun. For if he dies without a question in his heart, what excuse is there for his continuance?” – Frank Moore Colby.

Bill Cundiff,
Agat