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Community Briefs

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR FLAG DAY 2014 PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL

 

Registration is now open for all interested groups wanting to be part of the 41st Annual Flag Day Performing Arts Festival, sponsored by the American Samoa Council on Arts, Culture, and Humanities (ASCACH).

 

Registration is open for any and all performers, including organizations from different ethnic backgrounds and church groups.

 

A total of 15 slots are open and criteria includes:  obeying the set time limit, gracefulness of the performers, and uniformity, among other things.

 

Performers will be judged by a panel made up of Arts Council board members who will decide which groups will be performing on stage this year in April.

 

The Performing Arts Festival will be held at the Suigaula ole Atuvasa Beach Park from April 14-16, leading up to the territory’s Flag Day celebrations set for April 17.

 

All interested groups need to stop by the Jean P. Haydon Museum compound in Fagatogo on or before Friday, Feb. 7 at 11:30 a.m. which is the deadline to register.

 

A general meeting for all registrants will follow at 12 noon that same day at the Museum.

 

This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

 

More information can be obtained by contacting Rexx Yandall or Tasi Sunia at 633-4347/4490/5613.

 

PAVILION & FALE SAMOA IN UTULEI NOW UNDER DEPT. OF PARKS & REC

 

Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga has placed the Pavilion at the Malae o Letalu  and all the Samoan fales and huts at the Su’igaula Beach under the administrative care and maintenance of the Department of Parks and Recreation.

 

In a memorandum issued last week, Lolo noted that it’s imperative that all public facilities— especially those utilized by the community— be maintained and kept clean at all times, and protected from vandalism.

 

The Pavilion was under the care of the Sports Complex in the past. Lolo noted that the desire is made difficult by the absence of clear designation of the agency responsible for its maintenance because of joint custody or presumed administrative purview without official designation.

 

The governor noted that use of the Pavilion along with the field (malae) and all uses of the facilities must be coordinated with the Department of Parks and Recreation.

 

The also applies to the Samoan fale and all the huts along the Su’iga’ula Beach, encompassing the parking lot in front of the Rex Lee Auditorium.

 

The office of Samoan Affairs still has access to the use of the Fale Samoa, but use must first be coordinated with Parks and Recreation.

 

The Department of Commerce will continue to be responsible for the maintenance of  the Rex Lee Auditorium with the surrounding area, except the parking lot in front. “All agencies of the American Samoa government will pay a fee to the Department of Parks and Rec for the use of these public facilities.”

 

The governor pointed out that these fees will be the same as those charged to the public, and Parks and Rec will be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of these public facilities in a manner that is esthetically pleasing and sanitary.

 

NMSAS PROMOTES “ONE NOAA”

 

The National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa (NMSAS) is on a new mission this year. That is, to continue to promote ONE NOAA, which, with the Sanctuary’s help, brings representatives from all NOAA offices in American Samoa together once a month, in an effort to carry out the following:

 

            •            Keep all NOAA offices informed of what each one is doing

 

            •            Collaborate on missions and outreach events

 

            •            Connect people and offices to ensure that the most number of American Samoa citizens are being reached with the services provided.

 

            NOAA is a science-based agency whose work touches over 300 million people every day. NOAA’s products and services are the result of the hard work of dedicated staff members and line offices.

 

            “The American Samoa ONE NOAA team will strive to offer these products and services in the most efficient way possible,” says the NMSAS.

 

            The ONE NOAA team includes the NMSAS, the National Weather Service, the Pacific Islands Regional Office, the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement, the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, and the Global Monitoring Division Observatory.

 

LT GOVERNOR REMINDS CABINET MEMBERS OF THEIR DELIVERABLES

 

Lt Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga informed cabinet members that the Governor will be scheduling individual meetings with each Director to address their organizational charts, deliverables, and major activities within each Department and Agency for 2014.

 

He reminded the Directors in a general memorandum issued last week about Departments and Offices who have not transmitted their major activities and performance deliverables pursuant to memos sent out last December. Lemanu commended those who have complied, but noted that there are others who have yet to transmit the requested documents.

 

 Lemanu noted the original due date for this information was January 24, 2014 and he extended the due date to Monday, February 3, 2014. The Lt. Governor informed the directors to prepare to address challenges confronting their operations and suggested mitigation plans. “We have had one year to get indoctrinated with the duties and responsibilities mandated by law and placed under your charge. The governor has clearly articulated the priorities of this administration with the central theme of improving the quality of government services to the people.”

 

He said that all programs and implementation strategies must directly improve the quality of life of the people of American Samoa. “The basic question that is being asked of you is—what is your department/agency doing to advance this basic service vision? Be prepared to discuss in detail how your department/agency impacts each priority of your administration” with regard to improving the lives of our people, said Lt Governor Lemanu.