|
Cruise ship tomorrow amid...
Four days after the 2013 Flag Day which prompted the island-wide... |
Lolo names Save to head Office of...
For the purpose of tackling fraud, waste and abuse arising within the... |
|
Visitors Bureau successfully...
The American Samoa Visitors Bureau continues to sell the territory as a... |
Gov Lolo plans to reconstitute LBJ...
Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga plans to reconstitute before the end of this... |
Copyright 2013 © Osini Faleatasi Inc. dba Samoa News |
All Rights Reserved
Letters and Editorial Policies
Letters and Editorial Policies
I too LOVE 1st Friday and think it a wonderful Festival for our island. Unfortunately, i've noticed that the food vendors have become excessively unreasonable in the pricing of their food items. Since when was half a 'ulu $2? I mean, were talking about a ma'afala here, not even a maopo or aveloloa! Honestly! Help us, help you by putting up prices that are fair to everyone. We want to continue enjoying the abundance of 1st Friday. But not at these obscene prices.
your display picture for this article is inaccurate!
Editor's note: thanks for letting us know, the photo must have migrated as we moved our archives from the old site.
Congratulations Manumalo for winning 2nd place overall!!!
You have vowed to do many things while in the governor's chair and have been ridiculed, cursed at, chastised, beliled and called a lot worse, but I NEVER once heard you uttered the phrase, "I Governor Togiola, do hearby swear, to supplant and end that which plagues our government and has infested our people to cause, Fraud, waste, abuse, nepotism, greed and corruption while in my position of power".
I would have voted for you from the beginning, but you gave false hope, and you still do. May God show you mercy....
What a wonderful tribute to a Leader whose qualities are no longer visible in the current administration. Credit is given to the person who has earned the respect of our people. When the fale is dedicated let us remember the humble spirit of Tufele who leaves a Legacy of Love for his people.
Thank you Amata!
When words are used to appease the public, it than becomes multi-faceted (tele lava mea tutupu ua leai se faamatalaga faigofie), and complex (ua le faia lau suesuega i nei mataupu leaga o le o sa'u matata lenei).
HR starts the process, HR monitors the process, HR follows up on the status, and HR provides policies to ensure compliances, and HR screens candidates, checks backgrounds, ensures job descriptions are not during the Roman era, and candidates are qualified and meets minimumu quals as determined by the department. Thats alot of complexities and multi-faceted.
Why do we go through all this crap, because those hiring wants to remove the process and bring in the people they know. SO the BATTLE begins whether direct or indirect.
Ms Langford just needs to find people who can do and work the process, instead of having major headaches and use words that does not really resolve the issue.
It does not matter how many changes or upgrades on systems, bottom_line, people doing the work.
Hiring should take no more than 45 days if the position is hired as "career service".
Contracts can be less. The process may take longer depending on the candidates applying, but that can always be processed when you have a staff that is efficient and qualified to do the job. Otherwise, nothing will resolve the issue of hiring.
To all this, the leadership must be there and knows the ins and outs of HR issues. It is also helpful if the leadership is direct, fair, formal and not political.
Revisit the Contract? What are the terms, and does this require due process? Another, contracts, whether binding or not, can be "At Will". The Employer does not need to explain the reason for termination, and vice versa.
The nominees by the Governor for to serve as Board members is ineffective in most cases. This is based on observations and experience. Those who are selected are sometimes not qualified within the area, but due to political relationships, the Governor selects those he can manipulate or control.
I find this to be quite disturbing and does not contribute to efficiency of operations of the organization. To include, the lawmakers who have no clue what to ask the candidate. So, ASG continues to deteriorate, and remain at high-risk.
I believe Board members should go through a process of screening and interviews with those who are currently managing the administration and operations of their organization, and they make the recommendation to the Governor of candidates that will meet the needs of their organization.
Each School should be allowed to give their own input, say a little something on behalf of their school and Task force/Battalion, and also be given a chance to personally thank their communities and school staff, especially the cadets for all their support.
-C/LTC Jedidiah Fuiava
Where are the samoan kids? You people blind? I love all kids. And think every kid should make it to the moon as far as education. Why in the world are we not teaching enough kids of Samoan decent to make it in math and science and being better politicians.
God knows the smucks we have as politicians are just that a bunch of lazy smucks. How about making a personal mission to teach Samoan kids, not to be proficient or competitive, but EXCELL in math and science. You think you can do that? No really, is that to hard? Or is it better that they become proficient in cooking bananas and taro's?
How about it SPA? Can you help a Samoan to the top maybe. Geeez, smart people we have in Samoa. Not your fault, just like my architects wife said when she arrived. Are there any Samoans here in American Samoa? Lol
The start of a civil strife has just occurred. Fermented by an Ambitious politician. The science you quote is construed by whomever pays for it. If Satan paid for it with blood, then rebellion is our own home. With dilated pupils, your eyes covet your neighbors property. You see what Fiji went thru? Only with blood do we comfort our misunderstanding. Nothing civil about war. Paulo
This so called lease agreement effectively VOIDS/CANCELS the $10.08 million in CIP funding and among the projects listed is $3.7 million for the “new service wharf”. The FEDS will not tolerate this underhanded/behind closed doors illegal deal to come to fruition. This is exactly like the McDonald's case at Utulei beach. Eni, need your help here Sir! In one year, this kovana will be gone and this cold storage deal, and his long, long list of FAILURES with him. Good riddance to the WORST kovana in history.
Pula said, “I am informed by staff that any plans to place a cold storage facility on the proposed newly-renovated service wharf project would change the original intent and purpose of the project and would most likely require a full Environmental Assessment and/or Environmental Impact Statement before the project is implemented. Conducting a full environmental review of the magnitude of this type of project typically takes a minimum of one year to complete and may likely increase the overall length and cost of the project.”
1st Place - SPA, 2nd Place - Manumalo, 3rd Place - tied between Pacific Horizons and Tafuna.
Ms. Park is the reason why SPA is doing so well in math. Congrats to Ms. Park for doing such a good job at SPA.
What about public schools with more than 1,000+ students? What about public schools with teacher that are supposedly very good in math? They have degrees and being with the government for many years and still cannot train students in math like SPA and other private schools.
Math competitions over the years has been dominated by private schools in American Samoa. What about public schools?
when i read about it, it really touched me. i mean i had tears by the time i read the article.
To demolish a history site and a building that all the goodness of our country had been discussed in that old fale. Dont you have pride with what we are today? Did you ever think of our ancestors who put up that very hard work.
MY own opinion, is to PRESERVE THE OLD HOUSE. Build a new one and leave the old one alone for Gods sake people.
Whoever conducted the scientific research for the kovana and wrote the message that he presented on conservation, ecological, recreational, archaeological , blah blah blah........qualities, missed the finer issue, the heart of our people. What does the majority desire?
Listen and allow the heart to dictate a message to your brain. Exert the same amount of energy to promote the existing sanctuary with our people. Conduct more educational activities for our young people and senior citizens. Grow the appreciation and value of cultural and natural resources first here on our island. When the time is right the people will shout for the expansion of the sanctuary. Don't try to shove the idea down our throats that we need to expand the sanctuary. This is not about being a visionary leader...the big picture. Focus first on the details of the smaller picture. Make sure it is clear. The home grown people are not in favor of this proposal.
This is not scientific research, it's called plain common sense!
We Never gave Our approval to this Governor as a People, as Voters, as citizens, as the aumaga, as a Village, as a Culture.
We have a bunch of SOB's that have surrounded this arrogant governor. Who is trying his best to muscle thru his will upon our culture, our land, our oceans, our reefs, our Way of life damn it. Our way of Life is not a denial. It's a Way of Life that we have. We call it the fa'asamoa damn it. it's Our way. It's special to all of us.
How far we travel on earth, how wide our dreams take us, and how ambitious our low life politicians can become. I assure you America. We as a People have not, did not, shall not, will not and Do not give our tacit Approval to our freedom and our rights upon Our lands and our culture. Our land includes our seas, our reefs, our ocean. It is Samoan ocean.
I warn this governor. Shall he do away of the will of this people. All families will make sure his days as a governor is filled with a determination to banish him from our islands. We are the last Samoans on earth. We have taken care of our lands and seas for thousands upon thousands of years. This land was handed to me from my father, who's father handed it down to him. My family are no strangers to struggle of our land.
America we have a deal. Go back to your promise to leave us, our land, our culture alone. No land, no culture. No ocean, no culture. Read the Deed. America our sovereign rights are in the determination of that Peace. When you read this remember. On your land your ancestors spirit returns. You have to be the owner to understand what I just said. Can you hear them? Your power is determined by their whispers. Paulo
That sounds a bit odd! What does google have anything to do with your website? Many .com sites do NOT have these offensive pictures. I don't know much about the technicalities of websites and especially about google. If you will, please enlighten me. What I do know is that there are ways to run a site and maintain it without allowing offensive pictures or materials on it. Pornography has nothing to do with freedom of speech unless you are advocating for it.
r,
Another concerned parent.
So when our government is out of money, cutting payments and raising hospital bills, our governor makes an associate deal on a scientific protection of our land. This is just crazy, i mean why would he be basically pay more attention to such stuff instead of the behalf of our people.
My name is Billy Tavake,Jr. & I wanna let everyone in the Samoan Islands know that "King Henry" Tavake is the best trainer and best former amateur boxer to ever have laced on a pair of gloves.
Back in the 60s, Henry exploded onto the S.F. boxing scene knocking out all comers and even was robbed on a decision with Mike Quarry for the U.S. Nationals.Those who were fortunate and old enough to see him fight know what I speak of.
As a proffessional boxer, I never lost a single fight with the King in my corner, it's unfortunate to see that a boxer that he started from nothing to what he is today, has all of these ass-kissers and political backstabbers want to step in & take credit for what he has built.
Long live the King!
Once it's torn down you can't go back. The building is nearly 100 years old!
The way it was made, the materials, the people who occupied it over its life,
the good and bad that transpired within and out its frame and time all make it
special and worth saving. Don't lose the history, memories, tourist attraction and teaching tool you have!
Save it not for you perhaps, but save it NOW for the children of the future.
Shouldn't this apply to all government boards?? What about the Retirement Board? There should also be a law to to prohibit the govt, officials such as the LT Governor, President of the Senate and Speaker of the House and Directors from serving on the Boards. If they serve it should be ex-oficio without compensation and free trips with huge per diems. The LT is on the retirement board, big per diems. The ASG workforce should elect the members of the retirement board. Maybe it would make it difficult for the governor to keep using the retirement funds for loans. Hey rep introduce a bill for this.
The Fono; Senates and Representatives has all the rights to file an Impeachment court aforementioned, to removed the governor from such position. There are lots of discrepancy which are legitimately proved for his impeachment. Stop thinking about the (matai), but do the job according what you guys were elected for by the people to do in the first place.
If they will follow under Amendment 1X, stated; The enumeration in the constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. And on Article 1, Section (2)&(5) also support their impeachment process. Also Article 11, Section 4; is also appropriate for the house's impeachment process as well. Which called; Summary of the Original Constitution (ratified 1788) There is ample of violation in his adminstration to file an impeachment process.
I am an alumni of SPA and had been part of the history in winning math awards many years ago. I want to leave some comments regarding this article. It should be a wake up call for many schools down here.
First, I congradulate Ms Park and her students. Ms. Park is the main reason or so called the "brains" behind the winning teams since she became part of SPA community. She knows the strategies and she is very good at identifying students that are able to build a strong reputation for the school's math program.
Second, to all public schools and some private schools (certain private schools are exception). You guys can't surpass or even keep up with SPA in math without getting really good teachers. I haven't seen a qualified math teacher with quality teaching in other schools like Ms Park. Also, most students in American Samoa lack a basic foundation in math. By the time a student reaches 9th grade, he or she should be able keep up with Algebra 2 and be prepared to tackle Geometry at minium by end of freshmen year. This is true for SPA but that's not the case for students in other schools. I've seen some students in other schools still struggling with fractions and basic algebra, which is amusing to me.
Third, don't use the damn calculators until you tackle trigonometry. Meaning don't use calculators until students are in 11th grade. The more students rely on calculators, the dummer they'll become. Trust me, the early students use calculators, the more lazy they will be early on in solving critical thinking problems that can be done without calculators. No wonder a lot of students down here can't score over 700 in the math section of SAT 1 and SAT 2 subject test for math.
Lastly, I doubt any school, especially public schools, or policy makers would take math seriously down here since education in general is not that much heavily stressed comparing to other parts of the world like Asia.
Anyways, SPA will rule in the math field as long as it has a really good math instrcutor like Ms. Park and some quality students who enjoy math. This is the competitive advantage of SPA in math.