HEADLINES FOR NOVEMBER 2007

ASG’s Soil and Water Conservation District receives ANA grant to assist piggery owners

11-30 - The American Samoa Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will receive over $220,000 over the next two years from the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) which will make it easier for local pig farm owners to renovate their piggeries.

Planning for Festival of the Pacific Arts going strong

11-29 - In about eight months, American Samoa’s population will see a big boost when an estimated 2,000-plus performers and artists from over two dozen participating countries will travel to the territory to take part in the 2008 Festival of the Pacific Arts.

Arts Council travels to the Manu’a Islands to recruit for Holiday Music Festival

11-29 - Five representatives from the American Samoa Council on Arts, Culture, and Humanities were accompanied by employees of the Office of Public Information (KVZK-TV) to the Manu’a Islands yesterday to review performances by groups from Ofu, Olosega, Fitiuta, and Ta’u, as well as Manu’a High School auditioning for a slot in the upcoming Holiday Music Festival.

CJ Michael Kruse selected as secretary of the Pacific Judicial Council

11-28 - The Marianas Variety newspaper has reported that Chief Justice of the High Court of American Samoa F. Michael Kruse has been selected to serve as secretary of the Pacific Judicial Council, a group which is comprised of justices and judges from throughout the Pacific region.

Togiola appoints members of the Economic Development Advisory Council

11-28 - Governor Togiola Tulafono has appointed more than 30 individuals from the private sector and government officials as members of his Economic Development Advisory Council, which was established to forge close collaboration between the government and the private sector in economic development.

ASG gets $20 million loan check from the Retirement Fund

11-28 - Seven months after it was approved by the Governor with an immediate effective date,
ASG Treasurer Velega Savali has finally received and signed off on a check for $20 million from the ASG Retirement Fund.

ASG departments will sing their hearts out during this year’s Territorial Christmas Program

11-28 - The holiday spirit is alive and well in American Samoa as hundreds of employees from different agencies and departments within the American Samoa Government are already preparing to ring in the holiday season in colorful uniforms while performing joyful carols and skits for the annual Territorial Christmas Program scheduled to take place on December 12, 13, and 14 at the Malaeoletalu Fagatogo Pavilion.

Major reconstruction of the main road in town contracted for over $8 million

11/27 - The numerous potholes on the bumpy stretch of the main highway extending from downtown Fagatogo to the Pago Plaza will eventually be a thing of the past once the contractors are finished with it.

ASCC’s Upward Bound Program to get $906,400 over next four years

11-27 - The American Samoa Community College’s Upward Bound Program has been awarded $226,600 for each year during the next four year cycle.

The announcement was made last week by Congressman Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin after he received official notification from the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education who oversees grants for Trio Upward Bound Programs.

New computer software brings major changes to Customs operations

11-26 - Local businesses were informed by Chief of Customs Glen Lefiti in a Nov. 14 letter that come January 1, 2008, the Customs Division of the Treasury Department will no longer accept any paper version of the Declaration of Entry.

Governor remembers Associate Judge Sagapolutele as notable, humble public servant

11-26 - High Court Associate Judge Sagapolutele Malaeola, 68, of Ili’ili passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, Nov. 24. Upon hearing the news, Governor Togiola Tulafono said he was “deeply saddened” as Sagapolutele was “one of American Samoa’s most notable and humble public servants.”

Governor Togiola declares Dec. 1 as World AIDS Day in the territory

11-26 - Governor Togiola Tulafono has joined the United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS and has declared December 1, 2007 as World AIDS Day in American Samoa  - a day to expand and strengthen the worldwide effort to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Governor Togiola launches scholarship program for ASG workers

11-24 - For the first time ever, the American Samoa Government is offering its employees the added benefit - and rare opportunity - of pursuing a graduate degree.

DBAS issues notice of funding availability for the HUD-HOME program

11-23 - The Development Bank of American Samoa expects to receive an estimated $268,261 for the HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) program, funded by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the federal program year 2007.

Off-island medical referral program reinstated

11-23 - The LBJ Medical Center decided during a board meeting on Friday, Nov. 17, that the off-island medical referral program will be reinstated using funds from fiscal year 2008.

Commerce Commission issues Notice of Intended Action to amend ASAC Title 19

11-21 - The Commerce Commission has publicly announced a notice of intended agency action to amend and renumber Title 19, Chapter 01 of the American Samoa Administrative Code, particularly the section that refers to the Transportation of Persons and Freight.

Water quality labs in Palau and Yap receive certification thanks to ASEPA staff

11-20 - American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency staff members Edna Buchan and LT Elena Vaouli of the US Public Health Service recently certified the water quality laboratories of the Palau Environmental Quality Protection Board (EQPB) and the Yap State Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Furthermore, analysts from both labs were also certified.

Togiola apologizes to summer reading teachers for late paychecks

11-20 - Governor Togiola Tulafono took it upon himself to look into complaints lodged last month by a local teacher who worked for the summer Reading Well program and claimed that compensation was still not received for services rendered.

ASG reduces spending by $1.2 million last month

11-20 - The American Samoa Government spent approximately $1,208,454 less in local funds last month compared to the same time last year.

ASG collects nearly $6 million in local funds last month

11-19 - The American Samoa Government made off with cash collections totaling $5,981,501 last month, which is a nice increase from the $5,301,336 it collected in October 2006 and $4,338,546 in October 2005.

Samoa National Nursing Association opens local office

11-18 - To assist the general public with health issues, the Samoa National Nursing Association (SNNA) has estbalished a local office thanks in part to grant funding of $125,000 from the US Department of Interior's Office of Insular Affairs.

Fono guesthouse reopens after undergoing renovation work

11-16 - Lt. Governor Ipulasi Sunia was joined by District Governors Tufele Li'amatua and Gaoteote, Senate members, several faipule, and a handful of ASG department and agency directors this morning at the Fono Samoan fale to celebrate and witness the completion of a six-month renovation project that cost an estimated $80,000.

DBAS loan program awards $350K to locals for holiday home repairs

11-15 - Although the initial amount of loan awards was expected to total $200,000 the Development Bank of American Samoa ended up increasing that amount by $150,000, bringing the total amount of holiday home repair/renovation loans to a whopping $350,000.

ASEPA receives first ever $300K grant under Brownsfields Program

11-15 - The American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) has received, for the first time ever, a grant award of $300,000 under the new "Brownsfields" program for the assessment and inventories of sites on Tutuila and Manu'a that are potentially contaminated with industrial and hazardous wastes.

Togiola urges parents to talk to their kids about proper conduct

11-06 Governor Togiola Tulafono is urging all local parents to talk to their children about practicing proper behavior and etiquette in public places, specifically when riding on public transportation.

The issue was raised during the Governor's weekend radio program where Togiola was surprised to discover that bus drivers were refusing to pick up high school students not because they pay a lower fare than adults – which was the assumption - but because according to the bus drivers, the majority of teenagers are very unruly and disrespectful.

Public urged not to buy or consume any food items or medication with non-English labels

11/05 Department of Health medical director Dr. Ivan Tuliau is urging the public not to purchase or consume any over-the-counter drugs, medication, or food items with labels written in any other language besides English.

ASG Treasury will not pay federally funded salaries without grantor approval

11/04 Written approval from federal grantors will now be required before ASG Treasurer Velega Savali agrees to pay any government employees whose salaries are federally funded.

Tafuna Housing occupants may be required to pay rental fees by next year

11-03 American Samoa Government offices, agencies, and other organizations currently operating out of the Tafuna Housing compound could be required to pay rental charges by next year.

ABC Board cracking down on non-compliant beer vendors 

11-02 Local vendors with licenses to sell alcoholic beverages are being carefully monitored by the Alcohol Beverage Control Board whose members are not hesitant to hand down punishments that include license suspension and even criminal prosecution.

Governor Togiola wants to discuss territory’s relationship with the United States

11-01 Will American Samoa opt to become an independent nation, a Compact of Free Association, operate as another form of government, or choose the status quo? An answer to this question is being sought from the territory’s residents by Governor Togiola Tulafono who, during his weekend radio program, said that the people of American Samoa need to start thinking about the future of its current relationship with the United States.