Archive - Feb 10, 2012 - Article (News Story)

Samoa Sevens Head Coach Stephen Betham has made one change to his sevens squad to this weekend’s IRB Sevens Series, 11th tournament in Las Vegas.

Levi Asi Fa’amatala is being replaced by Paul Perez, who joined the team in Vegas earlier this week. Speaking from Las Vegas, Betham says, Day One of the tournament is very important to the team. “It’s a must win situation for Samoa, and we have to make the quarterfinals”

American Samoa, your young generation All Star Athletes are calling for your help, in preparation for their trip to Brisbane Australia next week.

Samoa Bowl will be holding a Radiothon tomorrow morning at the Samoana High School gymnasium parking lot, which will take place from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Athletes and coaches on the All Star Team will be on hand for the public to come and meet them.

Several years ago, we engaged in a crusade to get signatures to stop the minimum wage increase. The idea was initiated in the Governor's conference room by several individuals with the Governor present.

Dear Editor:

 If one thing is clear over the years it is the fact that the very foundation of the American Samoa Government's financial direction is based on four pillars: Mismanagement, fraud, waste, and abuse.

Dear Editor,

Thank you for publishing the Historical Overview, Implications, and Recommendations relating to the American Samoa Health Care System.  It is refreshing to see such an accurate and forthright description and analysis of the dynamics of our health care system.  From what I have read so far, Keniseli Lafaele is right on the mark with all the points he has been making on health care financing and other policies related to health care in American Samoa.

Dear Editor,

I find it amusing that the hospital and immigration are not looking into seizing sponsor assets on the $16 million that aliens owe (if that is an accurate figure as published).

Aliens are overrunning our courts and hospitals.  I was told years ago that sponsors would be responsible for any debts unpaid by the aliens.  If so, ASG should start collecting from the sponsors.

George Poysky III

If signed into law by Gov. Togiola Tulafono, the cash-strapped LBJ Medical Center will receive a $3 million cash infusion, but all workers in the territory will pay a new 2% wage tax, according to the final language of a Senate bill (S.B. 32-26) approved by the Fono.

A final decision on the bill, which was the subject of three days of debate between conferees from both the Senate and House, was reached yesterday morning in a full Fono conference committee hearing.

The latest drug bust occurred yesterday morning by the Vice and Narcotics Division, when it is alleged officers uncovered more than ten live marijuana plants planted around a family home in Nu’uuli. Police executed a search warrant on the suspect’s residence and came across four marijuana plants growing inside a plastic bowl and ten marijuana plants surrounding the home.

The four physicians representing the medical staff and other personnel at LBJ Medical Center, left the Governor’s Office around 4 p.m yesterday without a chance to meet Gov. Togiola Tulafono, who was reported to have met Tuesday night with the hospital board of directors regarding the hospital’s financial status.

The number of female senators in the territorial Legislature increased yesterday to three after the Senate welcomed Fagatogo traditional leader Tiumalu Telesia Scanlan, as one of the three senators for Ma’oputasi County.

Tiumalu fills the senatorial seat left vacant last year following the sudden passing of the late senator Amituana’i Eteuati Sr., whose term officially expires before 12noon Jan. 3, 2013. Tiumalu will serve out the remainder of Amituanai’s term.