Community
Briefs
Compiled
by Samoa News Staff
RED CROSS
RAISES MORE THAN $7,000 DURING RADIOTHON
The American
Red Cross, American Samoa Chapter raised more than $7,000 during
its weekend radiothon, pickathon and barbecue held Saturday at
the Red Cross compound in Tafuna.
"We will
continue to accept your donations at our Tafuna office,"
said Red Cross Chair Brenda Epati Tanoi Maualaivao.
She said donations
dictate the level of service delivery the Red Cross is able to
disburse."
Red Cross is
looking forward to the remainder of Red Cross month with safety
courses and the first ever Annual Red Cross Red Ball set for
March 29 at the Fale Laumei. Maulaivao said only 600 tickets,
$25 apiece, will be sold and "only a handful are left."
Prizes will be awarded to the Best Red Gown.
First Aid and
CPR courses set for later this week are completely booked. Classes
will be held March 20 at the Samoana High School campus.
"We appreciate
the efforts of all the citizens of our territory to give what
they can. We trust that every ASG employee will make an effort
to sign a payroll deduction form. One dollar each pay period
goes a long way in helping your fellow neighbors during their
time of crisis."
For more information
call the Red Cross office at 699-6011.
NEW DPS VEHICLES
GO TO TOP BRASS
Gov. Togiola
Tulafono said he is disappointed that new police vehicles bought
for law enforcement duties are now being used by top Department
of Public Safety officials instead of being used for their intended
purposes.
Speaking on his
weekend radio program, Togiola said if he knew this was going
to happen he would never have signed the bill into law allocating
funding to purchase the new vehicles that were supposed to be
used by police officers for their work. He said the bosses are
using these brand new vehicles while Manu'a is in need of a police
vehicle.
Togiola signed
into law last September legislation appropriating $120,000 to
purchase four new vehicles to assist police in performing their
"critical function" of protecting the community. Funding
source came from the special Law Enforcement Rehabilitation Account,
which was created by law more than six years ago and this account
is funded with $10 fees from traffic citations.
Togiola said
he is working to address this issue about police vehicles, adding
that he has received word that there are some DPS vehicles located
at repair/body shops in Nu'uuli, Tafuna, the ASG compound and
even the police compound next to the Territorial Correctional
Facility. He said these vehicles are just sitting there with
nothing being done about them.
The governor
says he is not quite clear as to why this is happening with police
vehicles, and will get to the bottom of things as soon as possible.
Togiola was responding
to a caller who voiced concerns over the lack of police vehicles
used during police shifts. The caller suggested assigning a certain
number of vehicles for each shift.
TOGIOLA APPOINTS
PROFESSIONAL SURVEYORS BOARD MEMBERS
Lt. Governor
Ipulasi A. Sunia appointed on Mar. 6 four members to the government's
Board of Registration of Professional Surveyors. According to
Ipulasi's general memorandum, the members are Faleosina Voight,
Fa'ipaua Mareko, Taulapapa William A. Sword and Meko L. Aiumu.
Under local statute,
the four are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate
to serve for a 3 year term. If possible, the members appointed
by the governor should be familiar with land surveying either
by profession, related occupations or a demonstrated interest
in land surveying.
Voight is the
deputy director of the Department of Public Works while the other
three are familiar with land surveying.
The law is also
clear that no board member, who is an employee of ASG may offer
to perform land surveying services for pay except as may be specifically
approved by the Board in each instance.
As prescribed
by law, Department of Public Works director Taeotui Punaofo Tilei
is the 5th member and the board chairman.
Among its duties,
the board shall qualify all persons who shall practice the profession
of land surveying; and receive applications for certificates
of registration and issue such certificates to those who meet
its qualifications.
GOV. HOLDS
FIRST CABINET MEETING SINCE ILLNESS
Gov. Togiola
Tulafono, in his first cabinet meeting Friday since his return
from Honolulu, informed directors that all executive branch proposed
legislation is to originate from the governor's office. The governor
didn't give any example as to any department submitting legislation
directly to the Fono.
But last month
chief election officer, Soliai Tuipine submitted to the Fono
leadership draft legislation aimed at making it possible for
an active duty military person to use absentee registration to
vote absentee in local elective offices. A copy was also forwarded
to the Governor's Office.
However, the
Fono leadership has informed Soliai that the proper protocol
is for the Governor's Office to submit legislation to the Fono,
not a department director.
Togiola did inform
directors to support administration bills sent to the Fono if
they are called on to testify. It was also made clear to cabinet
members that if they have questions about any executive bills
to consult the governor's office before testifying at Fono hearings.
Reach the reporters
at news.newsroom@samoatelco.com.
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