10 YEARS LATER, FAGATOGO SEWER LINE PROJECT FINALLY UNDERWAY

After ten years without a sewer line in Fagatogo the project is now underway, and this was confirmed in correspondence between Utu Abe Malae and Fagatogo lawmaker Maugaoali’i Tusipa Leapai Anoa’i via email.

Maugaoalii, during a House regular session last week, thanked the ASPA CEO, saying that after several attempts in the past ten years through House Resolutions and personal visits with past ASPA CEOs, he’s delighted to acknowledge the project is finally underway.

The Fagatogo lawmaker commended Utu for his leadership and overwhelming concern for the improvement of the quality of life for Fagatogo residents. Maugaoalii noted the development and construction of the new sewer line system behind Public Safety and ANZ Bank will certainly make life much easier for a number of grateful families in Fagatogo.

“The long anticipated project will also improve our roads and sidewalks, but more importantly, provide the essential services to our elderly, our children and families,” he said, and thanked Utu on behalf of the Village of Fagatogo.

He also acknowledged the assistance and work done by Happy Valley Trucking, a locally based company contracted to do the work.

Utu in response via email, thanked the lawmaker for being persistent about improving the quality of life of our people, in particular, Fagatogo residents.

He noted that “the Bay Area is the most important physical asset of our Territory and we must do everything possible to improve the infrastructure, maintain it properly, and encourage appropriate business development in our cherished Taulaga. We are pleased to work with our local contractors including Happy Trucking. There are many challenges faced by our small contractors and it is ASPA's policy to pave the way forward for them.”

Utu pointed out to Maugaoali’i that it’s “such a relief to work in an environment where there is teamwork among the various government departments and offices. The last time I saw this kind of "galulue fe'oe'oea'i" was 30 years ago.”

In 2013 Utu explained before the Fono that the sewer line service for Fagatogo residents is a priority for ASPA and this project would service 85 homes and was estimated to cost a little over $2.8 million.

FONO HONORS LATE SENATOR SA’OLE MILA FOLITAU IN RESOLUTION

Representatives and Senators have approved a resolution expressing their condolences to Mrs. Taualaga Saole and the bereaved Saole family on the passing of Senator Saole Mila Folitau, for his tribute and service to his family and the people of American Samoa.

According to the Concurrent Resolution that was approved last week by both houses, the closest to the late Senator remember him as a wise and astute man. “He would often comment on the struggle of growing up in the rural areas of Tutuila and made clear that success only came from hard work and perseverance.”

He graduated from Fagaitua High School in 1969 after which the late senator immediately began working for the American Samoa Government as a teacher. Two years later in 1975, he moved to Property Management as an accountant maintenance clerk.

He left the territory and enlisted in the Army as an armor specialist and was stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawai’i. He was honorably discharged and then moved to work as a supervisor for a warehouse in California. Upon his return to the territory he worked as a Customs Agent and in 1999 he was employed by the Legislature as a research analyst.

He resigned from that post in 2005 after being appointed to the bench as an Associate Judge up until 2013 and while serving as a judge the Saole district selected him as their senator for the 34th legislature. He was appointed Chairman of the Economic Development & Ways and Means committees.

He was a devout member of the CCCAS of Aunu’u and served as a deacon from April 10, 1986 until his passing.

He was active in the church and played an essential role in various projects within the church. After serving his family for many years, he was bestowed the family title of Saole in 1994.

On July 29, 2015 the Saole family of Aunu’u announced his peaceful passing at the age of 66 and he was laid to rest on September 12, 2015.

He is survived by his wife, as well as 18 children and 13 grandchildren.