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Chief Immigration Officer working to fix broken system

Calls computers "hack-able, unreliable, unsecured"
joy@samoanews.com

The current Immigration computer system is hack-able, unreliable, unsecured and anyone can override, modify or alter the immigration files of foreigners in the system, according to Chief Immigration Officer (CIO) Tamasa Dennis Lutu, in response to Samoa News queries covering issues at the Immigration office.  
 



Mel Joseph an asset to ASG says Treasurer

Dispels rumors — he’s not going anywhere
joy@samoanews.com

Treasurer Dr Falemao Phil Pili is clearing the air on rumors circulating that the Treasury Department is replacing long time Tax Manager Melvin Joseph at the Tax Office.
 
“At the time being the Treasury Department is advertising two Tax Auditor positions in the Tax Division, however with the Tax manager position, Mel and I are working on a succession plan and Mel’s position will be advertised at a later date,” Falema’o explained.
 



Gov directs focus on highway repairs and Manu’a

fili@samoanews.com

Economic development projects for the Manu’a island group are among the issues Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga has directed his staff in Honolulu to explore, as well as the possibility of floating a bond to expedite repairs to all public highways in the territory, according to the Governor’s Office.
 
Prior to departing Honolulu Monday afternoon for the territory, the governor directed his staff to carry out follow-up meetings with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Honolulu District on federal permits to build harbors, wharfs and seawalls in the territory.



CJPA personnel impacted by governor’s cost containment mandate

joy@samoanews.com

Following Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga’s mandate of cost containment measure, the Criminal Justice Protection Agency 100 days report noted they had four employees impacted by the rollback, including Deputy Director Leonard Seumanutafa.
 
The 100 days report indicated that unbudgeted personnel actions, upon receiving the official notification from Human Resources, each CJPA employee received a copy of the rollback personnel action and a letter from the acting Director explaining the reason behind the rollback said CJPA Director Keith Gebauer.
 



Solofa did not have viable “entrapment defense" DOJ claims

Asks federal appeals court to reaffirm Solofa verdict
fili@samoanews.com

The U.S. Justice Department has asked a federal appeal’s court to affirm a lower court’s decision on the guilty verdict against former Education Department official Paul Solofa, arguing that there was no entrapment involved when the defendant admitted to a government informant of his involvement with the DOE school bus spare parts scheme.
 



Fagatogo faipule to Gov: Park plans await your final approval

joy@samoanews.com

Fagatogo Representative Maugaoali’i Leapai Sipa Anoa’i is thankful to Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga for his support of the recent plans provided by the Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, Maeataanoa P. Gaoteote, for the construction of the Fagatogo Recreational Mini Park Project, according to a letter sent to the governor earlier this week.
 



6TH GOODWILL MISSION ENDS WITH GIFTS OF SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT & ‘KINDNESS’

tony@samoanews.com

The Hope House at Fatu-O-Aiga, the Boys & Girls Clubs of American Samoa, and the LBJ Medical Center were all visited by the 6th June Jones Goodwill Mission team on Monday, with charitable donations in hand, and kindness in their hearts. In turn, they were greeted with much appreciation by the local organizations and the only hospital in the territory.
 



McDonald’s scholarships awarded

reporters@samoanews.com

McDonald’s CEO Tautolo Agaoleatu Charlie and Board Chairperson Delores Tautolo-Galeai awarded five McDonald’s American Samoa scholarships, yesterday, June 18, 2013,  to four high school graduates of the Class of 2013 and one ASCC graduate, who will be continuing her education at the University of Hawai’i-Manoa.
 
The award ceremony took place at their local restaurant in Fagatogo, one of McDonald’s American Samoa’s two restaurant locations in the territory.
 



CJPA 100 day report: Needs to improve customer service, stayed within budget

joy@samoanews.com

The Criminal Justice Planning Agency (CJPA) needs to improve their customer service, says CJPA Director Keith Gebauer, in their 100 Days report, and also reported that they stayed within their FY2013 budget allocation.
 
According to CJPA report, they operated within their 2nd quarter local budget allocation as provided by the local government and the approved FY2013, which provides for personnel services for the Executive Director and Deputy Director, while all remaining personnel services and administrative expenses are covered by federal grants.
 



Malae Tau Malae’s attorney cries foul at banishment

Ofu Village Council decision cannot supersede Constitution
joy@samoanews.com

Fiti Sunia, attorney for Ofu Talking Chief Malae Tau Malae, has responded on behalf of his client, concerning Malae’s banishment from the Ofu Village Council, in a strongly worded letter blasting, not only the council for making an ‘ill-motivated’ decision, but specifically High Talking Chief Le’i Sonny Thompson, for speaking out of turn.
 



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