Second of the four DPS- Juvenile Detention Center officers charged Page 3 Vui seeks to amend Constitution to add two more seats for her district Page 6 Fa’alauiloa Kovana fa’aitiitia itula faigaluega tagata C M Le Lali Y K faigaluega malo Syria decries ‘aggression’ as Proverbs 27:18 “Whoever tends the fig tree will eat its fruit…” In other words, take care of the natural world and you take care of yourself. Fa’asaoina le Togatogo, Save the Mangroves! US launches An easy, everyday action people can take to protect mangroves is to place litter/rubbish in covered trash- Page 13 cans and dumpsters so it doesn’t get washed down streams into mangrove wetlands. Also, keep on the lookout cruise missiles for people filling in mangroves with dirt or rubbish and report the crime to the Department of Commerce. See story inside. [Photo: NPAS] ONLINE @ SAMOANEWS.COM DAILY CIRCULATION 7,000 PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2017 $1.00 Reduction in working hours to include governor, lt. gov, Executive branch directors ASG SEMI AUTONOMOUS AGENCIES’ EMPLOYEES TOO, BUT NOT LAWMAKERS by Fili Sagapolutele ever optimistic it can move to it does include the enterprise Samoa News Correspondent a 75-hour biweekly pay period funds,” the senior staff member ov. Lolo Mat- for the fourth quarter — which said. (The Enterprise Fund alasi Moliga, starts July 1. includes the authorities as well Lt. Gov. Since the word spread as budgets of executive branch Left is Ms. Ruby Tapua’i (ASCC Science Lab Technician and Lemanu Peleti Wednesday about the reduction offices such as the Airport Divi- Marine Science graduate from U.H. Hilo) and right is Ms. Claudia Mauga and of hours and up to yesterday sion, Industrial Park, ASG Print Thompson in front of the NOAA R/V Okeanos Explorer Remotely ExecutiveG branch directors are morning, Samoa News received Shop, and Sports Complex.) Operated Vehicle that is used to explore our ocean depths. all included in the governor’s so many comments, including The senior staff member [Photo: K. Anderson-Tagarino] C M See story inside. directive that reduces working questions as to whether the also emphasized that that the Y K hours from 8 to 7 hours a day. governor’s directors and semi executive branch “cannot man- And the directive also includes autonomous agencies — spe- date other branches of govern- ASG semi autonomous agen- cifically the American Samoa ment (Fono and Judicial) wages An Easter Concert, cies, which are overseen by Power Authority, LBJ Med- and hours.” their respective boards of ical Center and the American Based on information Samoa directors. Samoa Tele Communications News received yesterday from During an emergency cab- Authority — are included in the senior Fono staffers, all Fono A Message of Hope inet meeting on Wednesday reduction of hours. personnel, “excluding law- (Based on PRESS RELEASE) — With the reduction of working morning, Lolo made the official Samoa News asked a senior makers”, will be included in the hours for the government, Poe Mageo, music director for the announcement about the reduc- staff member at the Governor’s reduction of hours as called by Samoan Gospel Homecoming Singers Ministry, has found a way tion of working hours, effective Office, yesterday, if “direc- the governor. to reach out to the community. “These are very trying times. And Monday, Apr. 10. Not included tors are exempted”, and the At yesterday’s Senate ses- instead of abandoning hope, we need to put our trust in God. He in the reduction of hours are answer was, “Directors are not sion, when the issue was raised, is still in control. No problem is too big or too small for Him to doctors, nurses, teachers and exempt.” Senate President Gaoteote solve. When all else failed—God is our only hope,” Mageo said. other in-school personnel. Asked about the amount the Tofau Palaie explained that The 2nd Annual Easter Concert by the homecoming singers is The governor also noted in government is expecting to save he and House Speaker Savali this coming Sunday at 4 p.m. The concert will be at the Gov. H. the meeting that he and Lemanu — per pay period or per month Talavou Ale had met with the Rex Lee Auditorium, in Utulei. Admission is free. are included in the reduction, — the senior staff member said, governor, who provided infor- Governor Lolo and First Lady Cynthia Moliga and Lt. Gov- which will continue to the end “Savings per pay period, if mation on the move to reduce ernor Lemanu Peleti Mauga are among the special invitees. Many of the third quarter of FY 2017 Fono and Judiciary join in, will working hours in the executive bay area churches are planning to attend as part of their Palm (which ends June 30). At that amount to $239,688.” branch. Sunday celebration. time, the situation will be reas- “This [savings] does not sessed. The governor is how- include the Authorities, but (Continued on page 2) (Continued on page 2) Page 2 samoa news, Friday, April 7, 2017 ➧ An Easter Concert, … Continued from page 1 The homecoming singers Pastor Patolo Mageo will offer are inviting the community to the altar call and prayer. come out and join them. As in Students from ASCC’s past concerts, the audience is Christian Club will also per- invited to sing along selected form. Faculty member Elisa- hymns about the passion of peta Faalafi-Jones, who is the Christ, the message of the spiritual advisor for the stu- cross, and the celebration of the dents, said, “I am so happy that resurrection, the cornerstone of Faalafi and her students could the Christian faith. join us this year. The club’s Legendary Samoan gospel vision is to make sure that col- artists such as Mose Katina, lege students are reminded of The Paaga Family, The Harvest Christian moral values and the Time Singers, the Strings of importance of community ser- Psalms, The Ponausuia Family, vice and charity.” Toe To’oto’o, and Souvenir Before the finale, the choir Bohanak, to name a few, will will perform ‘”Because He belt out ‘Easter gems’ such as Lives,” with the resounding “Because He Lives (Gaither),” chorus— “Because He lives, I “I Believe in a Hill Called can face tomorrow, because He Mt. Calvary (Gaither),” “I le lives all fear is gone, because Satauro (Trad),” and “The I know He holds the future, Blood Will Never Lose Its and life is worth a-living just Power (Crouch).” because he lives.” Pastor Viliamu Paaga Mageo said, ‘that is our will lead the praise and wor- message — that no matter what ship. Ana Hargett will recite life brings — we don’t have to an inspirational reading, and fret because He lives!” 84-year-old Toe To’oto’o of Pago Pago, a legendary Samoan gospel artist in her prime, will per- form ‘He Lives’ (Ackley), a hymn composed in 1933 and it’s still popular today. [Courtesy photo] ➧Reduction in working hours... Continued from page 1 However, he said the gov- Office pointed out that “they ernor made clear that the exec- also have to manage their rev- utive had no authority over the enue stream. For example, if operation of the Fono, a sepa- projected revenues are down rate branch of government. 15% they have to manage Gaoteote said he and Savali expenses down [by] 15%, had their discussion and will which may or may not include make a decision on Fono reduction in hours.” employees, who all come ASTCA board chairman, under the direction of the Fono Roy J.D Hall Jr., confirmed leaders. However, he said the yesterday to Samoa News issue — referring to salaries “ASTCA will be reducing — for senators and faipule is hours for all employees and beyond their authority, as the contract workers next week.” in the Pago Plaza - across from ASPA office. law sets lawmakers’ salaries. When former Gov. Togiola Some senators suggested Tulafono implemented a reduc- for them to be included in the tion of working hours in Feb- COME AND HAVE YOUR HAIR reduction of hours as part of ruary 2011 for the executive the Fono’s help in assisting the branch, it also included the DONE BY PROFESSIONAL government. In the end, sena- governor, lieutenant governor, tors approved a verbal motion, and all cabinet directors. HAIR STYLISTS: for Gaoteote to discuss the At the time, Togiola ordered issue with the House Speaker. the reduction of working hours Gaoteote made clear that the — based on salary levels. For Veronica & Mali approved verbal motion does example, four hours were not involve anything relating to reduced for those earning less Call for an appointment or stop by and see us!! cutting hours for lawmakers. than $10,400 up to $20,800 per “Veronica is also a trained barber” While the semi autonomous pay period, while those earning agencies are included in the above $62,400 would have 12 Tuesday - Saturday 9am to 4pm reduction of hours, the senior hours deducted. staff member at the Governor’s 633-0774 Mondays (Appointments Only) SOUTHBOUND SOUTHBOUND ARRIVAL ARRIVAL VESSEL VOY SEA L/BEACH OAK PPT NUKUALOFA APIA PAGO VESSEL VOY PPT N/ALOFA APIA PAGO Cap Taputapu 028 TBA SAILED SAILED 04/10 --- 04/15 04/15 Cap Taputapu 028 04/10 --- 04/15 04/15 Polynesia 484 TBA 04/14 04/16 04/26 05/01 05/03 05/03 Polynesia 484 04/26 05/01 05/03 05/03 Cap Taputapu 029 TBA 04/29 05/01 05/12 --- 05/17 05/17 Cap Taputapu 029 05/12 --- 05/17 05/17 Polynesia 485 TBA 05/16 05/18 05/29 06/03 06/05 06/05 Polynesia 485 05/29 06/03 06/05 06/05 Cap Taputapu 030 TBA 06/01 06/03 06/14 --- 06/19 06/19 Cap Taputapu 030 06/14 --- 06/19 06/19 Note: All Schedule dates are estimated 333 Market Street Satellite Building For Local Enquiries, Contact Suite 325 SAMOA PACIFIC SHIPPING, INC.