MONTHLY TERRITORY-WIDE EMERGENCY SIREN TEST SET FOR THIS FRIDAY

The Department of Homeland Security / TEMCO Division wish to remind the public that the monthly territory-wide emergency siren test for the month of SEPTEMBER will be conducted Friday, September 05, 2014 at 12 noon. This is the monthly siren test which is held on the first Friday of every month.

Do not be alarmed if you hear the emergency sirens this Friday at noon. It is only a test.

The public is encouraged to call 699-3800 to report any issues with respect to siren testing this Friday.

Ua fa’ailoa mai e le matagaluega o le Puipuiga o le Lotoifale, le Homeland Security, o le a faia le fa’ata’ita’iga faa-le-masina i sailini, po’o fa’ailo,i motu o Tutuila, Aunu’u ma Manu’a i le Aso Faraile nei, le aso 05 o masina o Setema, i le itula e 12 i le aoauli.  O lenei fa’ata’ita’iga ua na’o se fa’ata’ita’iga e faia i masina ta’itasi i sailini fa’ailo mo fa’alavelave fa’afuase’i.

Aua le fa’apopoleina le mamalu o le atunuu’u pe a fa’afofogaina le fa’aleoina o sailini i le Aso Faraile nei — e na’o se fa’ata’ita’iga!

E fa’atalosaga le mamalu lautele fa’amolemole vala’au mai i le Ofisa 699-3800 e lipoti mai ni tulaga fa’aletonu o nei fa’ata’ita’iga i le aso Faraile nei.

Fa’afetai Tele. O le pule’aga o le matagaluega o le Homeland Security /TEMCO, Ofisa o Fa’alavelave Fa’afuase’i.

PAGO YOUTH RALLY ENDS SUCCESSFULLY

Hundreds of youngsters and villagers took part in last weekend’s 2nd Annual Pago Pago Youth Rally that was spearheaded by the council of chiefs and church leaders.

The annual event is the brainchild of the ministers and leaders of different religious denominations in Pago village.

Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga offered the opening remarks for the program that extended throughout the long Labor Day weekend.

The rally stressed the importance of teaching the children how to be better leaders, educating them on the different programs and services available to them, and bringing them together to fellowship and form new friendships.

Sen. Mauga Tasi Asuega offered brief remarks on behalf of Pago village, recognizing the importance of the rally in benefitting the youth.

The opening ceremony last Saturday featured a short parade followed by activities that included zumba sessions, a special church service on Sunday, informative presentations by the different government agencies and departments who were present, and fun games.

Last year, the Pago Pago Youth Rally brought together over 1,500 parents, children, and village residents.

Rep. Vaamua Henry Sesepasara says he is optimistic that the Rally will be an annual event for Pago Pago.

ORIENTATION THIS WEEK FOR PARENTS OF ECE STUDENTS

Orientation sessions are ongoing this week for parents of youngsters who will be entering one of the Early Childhood Education (ECE) centers this school year.

Last week, over 100 teachers from the ECE program and Special Education (SPED) attended orientation sessions and workshops at the ECE main office in Fagatogo, in preparation for the new school year.

ECE students will begin classes next Monday, Sept. 8

Earlier this week, parents of ECE students in the east and central districts went through orientation while those who reside on the western district are scheduled for orientation today.

The orientations are meant to educate parents on what is expected of them and their children during the school year and what they should expect from DOE, as far as services for the young ones.

Parents are also being schooled on the importance of keeping their children safe and disease-free, especially with the recent outbreak of the chikungunya virus. As of last Friday, a total of 1,332 students were already registered for the ECE program and the number is enough to meet the requirement for funded enrollment under the program.

In Tutuila, Aunu’u and the Manu’a Islands, there are 23 ECE centers and 43 classrooms that serve the territory’s youngest students.

FAASAO CLASS OF 1989 DONATES TO HOPE HOUSE

Residents of the Hope House at Fatuoaiga received a pleasant surprise earlier this week, when members of the Class of 1989 of Fa’asao High School stopped by to present them with personal hygiene products and other necessities.

The donation is part of the 25th anniversary celebration for the Class of 1989.

The Hope House residents, along with Sister Faustina who oversees the operations there, were very appreciative of the donations that were presented as gift baskets.

The brief presentation ceremony culminated with a special taualuga dance carried out by the Cougars alumni.

DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR RTCP PROGRAM IS NEXT MONDAY

The Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment (RTCP) Program, which assists farmers with the cost of transporting goods for their operations, is open to all US citizens, nationals, and permanent residents and the deadline for local commercial farmers to file applications is next Monday, Sept. 8.

The program is being administered by the American Samoa Farm Service Agency and local farmers interested in applying for assistance need to provide receipts of their purchases for fiscal year 2014 (the receipts should be dated October 1, 2013 to the present date).

Qualifying purchases may include farm tools, chemicals, machinery and fertilizers.

Commercial farmers earning at least $1,000 in annual sales who operate farms that are in compliance with USDA standards are eligible to apply.

More information on the program can be obtained from the American Samoa Farm Service Agency, located on the second floor of the Pago Plaza.

ASG WORKFORCE DAY A HUGE SUCCESS

Over 6,000 government employees, along with workers representing the private sector were at the Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tafuna last Friday to participate in the ASG Workforce Day celebration.

The event kicked off early with a colorful parade that featured custom-made floats.

The honor of raising of the US and American Samoa flags was given to the senior citizens from the Territorial Administration on Aging (TAOA) who—much to everyone’s surprise— fared well during the games, even winning one of the tug-of-war matches against a younger, more fit group of ASG workers.

During his remarks, Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga said ASG Workforce Day is a day made by the Lord to honor the hardworking men and women of the American Samoa Government. He praised the service of those who work hard to keep the government up and running, and urged everyone to be diligent and faithful in their service to the people and government of American Samoa.

A brief moment of silence was observed in honor of the late ASG Treasurer Falema’o Phil Pili and Sen. Tagisiaalii Faumuina.

Those who have served more than four decades with ASG were honored and recognized for their service. They are James Taylor of ASTCA (58 years), Avei Sunia Pou of the LBJ Medical Center (51 years), Asolelei Tanu of the Dept. of Education (42 years), and Ulugaono Waldie Allen of the Dept. of Human Resources (41 years).

Special recognition was given to Mautonu Seui Jr. of the Dept. of Public Works, whom DPW Director Faleosina Faiai Voigt described as a dedicated, hard worker. Seui Jr. has been working for 26 years and is part of the DPW custodial team.

Awards for the senior employees were provided by each of their respective departments.

Those who took part in the ASG Workforce activities enjoyed a day of fun and games that included a zumba session and tug-of-war.

NMSAS SEEKS ADVISORY COUNCIL APPLICANTS

NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa (NMSAS) is seeking applicants for three primary seats on its advisory council: Manu’a/community-at-large, Aunu’u/community-at-large, and youth.

The council ensures public participation in sanctuary management and provides advice to the sanctuary superintendent.

“The members of our advisory council represent an extremely important element of our community,” said Gene Brighouse, sanctuary superintendent. “Their input, experience, and expertise assist the sanctuary in making informed and timely decisions on how to best manage our wildlife and habitats.”

Candidates are selected based on their expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying, community and professional affiliations, and views regarding the protection and management of marine resources. Applicants who are chosen as members should expect to serve a three-year term.

The sanctuary advisory council was established to ensure continuous public participation in the management of the sanctuary. The council’s 17 voting members and eight non-voting members serve on a volunteer basis, represent a variety of local user groups, the general public, and territorial and federal governmental jurisdictions.

Applications are due September 30. An application kit and further information can be obtained by contacting Joseph Paulin via email at <joseph.paulin@noaa.gov> by phone at 633-6500 or by mail at National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa, PO Box 4318, Pago Pago, AS 96799.

Application kits can also be downloaded from the sanctuary’s website at http://americansamoa.noaa.gov