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Community Briefs

Several callers to Congressman Faleomavaega Eni's weekly radio program voiced their disappointment with the $6 million the government owes to the American Samoa Power Authority for utility debts.

Callers claimed this huge ASG debt is the reason the rest of the community is suffering with ASPA's high rates for services such as electric, water, waste water and trash collection.

One caller told the Congressman the public is carrying the government's $6 million burden and this is not fair, especially to low income families. The caller said the government continues to operate with its electricity and water still on. Also, the governor recently vetoed a Fono bill prohibiting ASPA from increasing any rates, fees or charges until further action and adjustments by the Legislature and to maintain such fees, rates and charges at the amounts as of Sept. 1, 2011.

Faleomavaega responded saying that the decision by the governor to veto this measure was a decision made by the governor after a thorough review of current law. He also pointed out there is no other way for ASPA to collect additional revenues needed to improve its service to the public.

The Congressman was however saddened that ASPA may not be giving low income families a chance to pay their utility bill instead of disconnecting their service for non-payment.

ASPA officials have testified in the Fono saying that ASPA's Customer Service works with families in making payments on their outstanding utility bill and customers just need to make ASPA aware of their financial condition.

MORE THAN 1,000 U.S. PASSPORTS ISSUED TO AMERICAN SAMOA RESIDENTS

Of the more than 12 million U.S. passports issued in fiscal year 2011, a total of 1,509 passports were issued to individuals living in American Samoa, according to a passport statistics release this week by the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs.

U.S passports are issued to U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals residing in the territory and passports are applied for through the U.S. Post Office in Fagatogo. The current passport fee for a first time passport holder is $110 plus $25 execution fee for an adult. The first time passport fee for a minor is $80 plus the $25 execution fee, according to the Passport Office website.

The Bureau of Consular Affairs says that in FY 2010 a total of 1,912 passports were issued to those in American Samoa; 1,466 in FY 2009; 1,826 in FY 2008 and 1,940 in FY 2007.

Of the more than 12 million passports issued in FY 2011 for all of the United States, more than 1 million were for passport cards - none of these cards were issued to American Samoa.

NEW ID CARD SYSTEM INSTALLED AT OFFICE OF VITAL STATISTICS

The new digital ID card system - which meets federal regulations -  recently installed at the local Department of Homeland Security’s (ASDHS) Office of Vital Statistics, is now operational.

The old, outdated system, that produced government issued ID cards broke down this summer prompting ASDHS to order a new digital system which complies with federal “Real ID” Act, and can be tied in to other government agencies’ databases.

 This system and its soon-to-be-installed database was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) money.

The new system uses the latest technology in high definition color printing and prints identification cards on hard plastic instead of the old laminated type.

Vital Statistics manager Taifita Solomona said yesterday there is high demand in the community for government issued ID cards, and with the new system now in place, there is already an increase in volume of people coming in to request ID cards.

Meanwhile, renovations are underway at the office, an ongoing project for several months now, also funded by an ARRA grant. The renovations are expected to be completed before the end of the year, and Solomona says it will provide a fresh new environment that will better serve the flow of clients that come into their office.

MISS SOUTH PACIFIC HOST COMMITTEE INCREASES CASH PRIZES

Host Committee of the Miss South Pacific Pageant has increased cash prizes for the regional pageant set for Dec. 4-10 in Apia, Samoa, according to new information released Friday.

The new pageant winner prize increases from $5,000 to $7,000 Samoa Tala (about US$3,0000. First runner-up prize hikes from $4,000 to $5,000 Samoa Tala (about US$2,000); 2nd runner from $3,000 to $4,000 Samoa Tala (about US$1,600);  3rd Runner up from $2,000 to $3,000 Samoa Tala (about US$1,200); and 4th runner up from $1,000 to $2,000 Samoa Tala (about US$850).

Prizes for other participating contestants are raised from $500 to $1,000 Samoa Tala (about US$500). Cash prizes for Special Awards have not changed. (see yesterday’s Samoa News for more details on the pageant program).

STARKIST EMPLOYEES GET EARLY THANKSGIVING GIFT PACK

StarKist Samoa’s close to 2,000 workforce got their Thanksgiving gift package earlier because cannery operations will shut down for the next two weeks, next Thursday, which includes Thanksgiving Day .

Pittsburgh  based StarKist Co. spokesperson Mary Sestric told Samoa News yesterday the each employee gets two cases of wahoo for the Thanksgiving package.

Sestric told Samoa News late last month that StarKist  will suspend production on the weeks of November 20 and November 27 “because we are moving the planned maintenance shutdown from October to November.”

With the two week down time, some cannery employees are heading to Samoa for a break.

More than 1,000 U.S. passports issued to American Samoa residents

Of the more than 12 million U.S. passports issued in fiscal year 2011, a total of 1,509 passports were issued to individuals living in American Samoa, according to a passport statistics release this week by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs.

U.S passports are issued to U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals residing in the territory and passports are applied for through the U.S. Post Office in Fagatogo. The current passport fee for a first time passport holder is $110 plus $25 execution fee for an adult. The first time passport fee for a minor is $80 plus the $25 execution fee, according to the Passport Office website.

The Bureau of Consular Affairs says that in FY 2010 a total of 1,912 passports were issued to those in American Samoa; 1,466 in FY 2009; 1,826 in FY 2008 and 1,940 in FY 2007.

Of the more than 12 million passports issued in FY 2011 for all of the United States, more than 1 million were for passport cards - none of these cards were issued to American Samoa.