TAFUNA HIGH SCHOOL TO HOST POLITICAL FORUM FOR TUALAUTA AND ITUAU CANDIDATES

Eight candidates vying for seats in the local House of Representatives for Tualauta and Ituau districts will face questions from senior students of Tafuna High School during a political forum this week.

Organizers of the forum, which is set for Oct. 29, starting at 9a.m. at the Tafuna High School Gymnasium, say that all eight candidates for the two districts have confirmed their attendance.

Additionally, the public is invited to attend and listen; however, only the candidates for Tualauta and Ituau districts will be allowed to participate in the forum.

In a letter of invitation to the candidates, the high school’s Social Studies Department pointed out that government priorities and education policies effecting youth and communities are constantly evolving, and dialogue between educators and policy-makers is now more important than ever.

As a result, a group of U.S government seniors at Tafuna High School have been meeting regularly with teachers to organize a political forum to discuss social issues affecting local government and communities including Tafuna High School.

“The political forum will be an opportunity for students and the public to meet and familiarize with their current and future representatives in a discussion of selective issues,” according to the letter, which includes the agenda and list of topics associated with the local government, including the current state of education.

“We understand that a remedy to these issues immediately is unrealistic with this one initial meeting. However, these topics serve as a template for ongoing discussions in what we hope will bring changes and foster positive interactions between political leaders, community members, and Tafuna High School,” it says.

Among the general topics on the list of issues are education, healthcare, the economy, veto override, citizenship status, electing senators, minimum wage and immigration amnesty program.

The forum format is an answer and question session with a moderator. All candidates will be given an equal chance to answer questions, give feedback, and make recommendations as they see fit, according to the agenda program.

The answers will be limited to 2-3 minutes to avoid being sidetracked, however an exception can be made as long as the debate is on right path.

The list of certified candidates as released by the Election Office For Tualauta are:  Lucia Su’a Bartley, Rep. Larry S. Sanitoa, Leomiti F. Leomiti, and Rep. Vui Florence Saulo.

For Ituau - Rep. Taotasi Archie Soliai, Rep. Fagasoaia F. A. Lealaitafea, Manumaua Wayne Wilson and Mulinu’u V. Filo Maluia.

Tualauta, the most populous county in the territory, and Ituau district each have two seats in the House. Tualauta comprises of the villages of Tafuna, Mesepa, Faleniu, Mapusaga Fou, Pavaia’i, Iliili and Vaitogi.

Ituau is composed of the villages of Nu’uuli, Fagasa, Matuu and Faganeanea.

PRESENTATION ON EXOTIC PLANT DISEASE THREATS SET FOR THURSDAY

A special presentation entitled “ Exotic Disease Threats to Pacific Island Forests” will take place this Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014 at 3 p.m. inside the ASCC Land Grant Conference Room.

Guest speaker for the event is Dr. Philip G. Cannon, Regional Forest Pathologist for the USDA Forest Service in Vallejo, CA.

According to an email from Mark Schmaedick of the ASCC Land Grant Program, “Exotic invasive species can cause serious damage to agriculture and other managed and unmanaged ecosystems. Among the most serious threats are plant diseases, including those that infect trees.”

He continued, “Some of these diseases can devastate entire forests and Dr. Cannon will discuss several exotic tree pathogens which have caused great harm to forests in Hawaii and elsewhere. American Samoa's forests could be in danger if any of these diseases spread to Tutuila and Manu'a.”

The general public, especially local students, are invited and welcomed to attend.

More information can be obtained by contacting Mark Schmaedick directly at 699-1575.