HEADLINES FOR AUGUST 2007

Immigration issue hits the Fono

The lower chamber of the Fono has unanimously passed a bill sponsored by nine of its members, calling for a “coordinated implementation of the territory’s immigration laws by governmental departments and agencies on the social, economic, law enforcement, and cultural impact and consequences of the territory’s immigration policies, practices and procedures.”

The proposed legislation requires the Attorney General’s Office to provide, among other things, an annual list of foreign nationals that control corporations holding business licenses in the territory; [read more]

Task Force drafts ASG Travel and Transportation Policy Manual

The new Travel Regulations Task Force created by order of Governor Togiola Tulafono to look into ASG travel regulations has drafted the ASG Travel and Transportation Policy Manual, set to tentatively take effect on October 1, 2007.

Members of the Task Force are Attorney General Fepulea’i Afa Ripley, the Governor’s Chief Legal Counsel Toetasi Tuiteleleapaga, ASG Comptroller Brian Mix, Chief Procurement Officer Seui Laau, Budget and Planning Director Magalei Logovi’i, the Governor’s Senior Policy Advisor Oreta Togafau, and ASG Treasurer Velega Savali who has been appointed to serve as chairman of the newly formed group. [read more]

Fono spending continues to increase

The financial overview report for local funds for July 2007 prepared by ASG Treasurer Velega Savali and submitted to Government Togiola Tulafono a few weeks ago reveals that the local Legislature continues to exceed their spending on a monthly basis.

Last month, the Senate itself spent $242,893 compared to the $166,302 they spent in July 2006 and the $167,583 expended in July 2005. [read more]

There’s enough money to buy new police cars, says Velega

ASG Treasurer Velega Savali says that there is enough money available to purchase four new police vehicles, per a request from Governor Togiola Tulafono which was submitted through proposed legislation to the Fono last month.

The Administration bill was submitted to the local Legislature for the first time earlier this year in March, but was later resubmitted accompanied by a August 9 letter from the Governor to the Fono. [read more]

ASG rakes in $1.85 million more last month compared to July ‘06

According to the monthly financial overview for local funds for July 2007, for every $1 received, approximately 90-cents was spent. The actual revenue collected was $6,731,961 while the actual expenditures only added up to $6,060,976.

This means that the government pocketed $670,985 last month.

Altogether, ASG collected only $4,878,576 in July 2006 but last month, total cash collections ballooned by nearly $2 million to $6,731,961. [read more]

Senate passes bill that amends sentences for drug offenses

Before they broke for recess on August 31, the Senate passed, in its third reading, a bill that provides new sentencing guidelines for the possession of a controlled substance, including drug rehabilitation and treatment programs.

For years, American Samoa has been known to have perhaps the most harsh punishment for drug offenses. [read more]

Fate of Korea House still uncertain - Community Center or YMCA?

Governor Togiola Tulafono says that the run down Korea House located at Gagamoe Park in Pago Pago will either be converted into a Community Center or a YMCA.

According to the Governor, the Korea House building belongs to the American Samoa Government, despite claims that a local Oriental businessman owns the building which was consumed by a fire a few years ago. [read more]

Confirmed dengue fever cases reach 87, still climbing

Nine more new cases of dengue fever have been confirmed in the territory since the first week of August, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 87 so far this year.

The continuous increase in the number of confirmed cases has officials from the Department of Health believing that local residents are not doing their best to practice preventive measures to control the spread of the potentially fatal disease. [read more]

Manu’a kids get free dental checkups, thanks to SCHIP program

Earlier this month, a delegation of local dental professionals led by dentists Dr. Leute Lopa-Leota and Dr. Eileen Yandall traveled to the Manu’a Islands to offer free dental checkups for the residents there.

The service was made possible through the local Department of Health and federal funding from the School Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) which falls under Medicaid. [read more]

DOH hopeful that medications will be more accessible to Manu’a

Director of Health Uto’ofili Asofaafetai Maga has been known to approve travel for DOH medical and dental professionals to the Manu’a Islands for the purpose of offering free services there.

In addition to the services offered during these trips, free medications are also handed out to the residents there to help alleviate the burden of having them pay for travel just to pick up some pills from the pharmacy at the LBJ Medical Center. [read more]

Toys affected by worldwide recall found in the territory

Some of the toys that are listed under the worldwide recall of toys believed to contain high levels of lead have been discovered in the territory.

Last month, the owner of a small store in the eastern district pulled an Elmo figure off the shelf after she learned that the plastic figurine was one of the toys affected by the recall. [read more]

Lee Auditorium reopens after multi-million-dollar facelift

Many local residents have often wondered where the Lee Auditorium, commonly known as the Fale Laumei, got its name.

And now, thanks to the recent multi-million-dollar renovation to the building, everyone that passes by the structure will get a glimpse of the new sign posted on the main entrance that reads: “Governor H. Rex Lee Auditorium.” [read more]

Lt. Governor’s home more than halfway complete

About 60% of the renovation work to the Lt. Governor’s residence is completed and with enough money and the timely arrival of building materials and supplies, the structure should be ready for occupancy by the holiday season.

The Maintenance and Operations (M&O) crew of the Department of Public Works, who restored the Governor’s Mansion at Mauga-o-Ali’i, are carrying out the job.

DPW director Taeaotui Punaofo Tilei said yesterday that the entire interior framing is completed, for both the first and second levels. This includes the floors, walls, and ceiling. [read more]

Talia hopeful that “high risk” status for WIC/ASNAP will be lifted

Since the federal government placed a “high risk”
status label on the WIC and Food Stamp (American Samoa Nutritional Assistance Program or ASNAP) programs administered locally under the Department of Human and Social Services in 2005, DHSS director Talia Fa’afetai I’aulualo has been busy attending several meetings with representatives from Region IX, which oversees local DHSS operations, hoping that the “high risk” status will be lifted [read more]

DHSS Compliance Unit out to stop the sale of tobacco to minors

Ever since the responsibilities and duties involving the issuance of tobacco licenses and imposition of penalties for violations were transferred from the Department of Health to the Compliance Unit of the Department of Human and Social Services last year, many local vendors have been more compliant with the law as the fines for violations have since been increased by a whopping 900%

That’s right! In previous years, vendors caught selling tobacco products to minors were only fined $100, [read more]

The Fono has spoken - Matagi McMoore is new Port director

After garnering 12 votes during a confirmation hearing on Monday, August 20 in the House of Representatives, Matagi Ray Mailo McMoore is now officially the new director of the Department of Port Administration.

Matagi’s fate was in the hands of the lower chamber as the Senate had already cast a unanimous vote of 17-0 in his favor on July 10. [read more]

DOH complies with Governor’s request to assemble task force

Department of Health medical director Dr. Ivan Tuliau has been named chairman of the newly formed DOH Task Force assembled by Director of Health Utoofili Asofaafetai Maga in accordance with Governor Togiola’s request to look into Chinese manufactured goods.

Togiola’s request was voiced through an August 14 letter that followed a world wide recall of products manufactured in China reported to contain high levels of lead and other poisonous chemicals. [read more]

Former LBJ CEO Utu Abe Malae stays on as DBAS president

President of the Development Bank of American Samoa Utu Abe Malae, who was offered the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) position at the LBJ Medical Center earlier this month, will stay on as DBAS president as a deal between him an the semi-autonomous agency was never finalized.

Instead, the LBJ board has selected chief financial officer (CFO) Patricia Elly Tindall as the new hospital CEO. [read more]

DOI continues to shower DBAS with grant funding

On June 6, 2007, the Development Bank of American Samoa (DBAS) received $13,200 in grant money from the Department of Interior (DOI) to strengthen its institutional capacity in trade and advocacy associations. [read more]

Utu’s update on DBAS operations and role of board members

At this time, the Development Bank of American Samoa needs about $7 million to tie them over the next three years. This is according to DBAS president Utu Abe Malae.

He explained, “This amount will meet the loan needs of entrepreneurs and those wanting new homes or home repairs.” But the primary emphasis is on any industry endeavor that results in exports. [read more]

E&W Construction to carry out Ta’u Dispensary project

Several weeks after the initial contract awarded to Union Construction to build the Ta’u Dispensary was terminated “for sufficient causes,” a second contract was awarded to Lautogia Taula and E&W Construction Company.

But this comes after Union Construction was already paid over $32,000 for services rendered.

Mobilization of E&W Construction workers and their equipment is underway, and work is expected to begin by the end of the month. [read more]

Construction of Masefau Village Road project underway

The Masefau Village Road project broke ground on August 10 in a small ceremony attended by a handful of government officials including Governor Togiola Tulafono.

“I am honored and pleased to break ground for this road improvement project for the village of Masefau,”
said the Governor. “This project is beneficial for village student residents who have had to endure hardship and hazards that are associated with an inadequate road system.”

Deputy Secretary of Samoan Affairs HTC Nanai K.S. Afuola served as Master of Ceremony while Rev. Tafu Afusia offered the opening prayer and blessed the site. [read more]

Twelve more cases of dengue fever confirmed since last monthu

August 2, 2007 - Since July 27, another dozen new cases of dengue fever have been confirmed by the local Department of Health, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 78 so far this year.

And while patients with confirmed cases have been diagnosed and treated at the LBJ Hospital, there are reports that the first life claimed by the potentially fatal disease was that of a 10-year-old boy from Fagaalu who died on August 15 after he was suspected to have been inflected with dengue fever. [read more]

Brian K. Mix, CPA
ASG Comptroller

Leaders in Profile

College: Cleveland State University, 1994 BSBA Accounting; CPA 1998

Experience: Chief Deputy Auditor, Erie County Auditor’s Office; Instructor, Ohio Business College; Staff auditor/accountant for Smith, Payne, Hammersmith CPAs; police officer/supervisor, Cedar Fair Limited Partnership (Cedar Point)

Affiliations: Member, Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants; Associate Member, Certified Fraud Examiners. [read more]

DOH joins USDA in recall of possibly tainted canned meat

August 1, 2007 - Employees from the local Department of Health have been out inspecting restaurants, wholesale outlets, and local stores in an effort to rid the territory of canned meat products being recalled by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

DOH medical director Dr. Ivan Tuliau said that all the items listed in the recall should be disposed of or turned in to the DOH main office, for safety reasons. [read more]

New ASG licenses for driving, not travel; no special treatment involved

The Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) reminds all local residents that the new ASG drivers license (ASDL) is not the same as a territory ID card or another form of a Certificate of Identity (CI) used for travel, despite the fact that it is on-line and accessible to other federal agencies.

“OMV is not a travel agency,” said Fred Scanlan, the OMV project manager who wrote the proposal for the new drivers license program. “The primary purpose of the licenses is to drive, not travel.” [read more]