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Community Briefs

reporters@samoanews.com

AMERICAN SAMOAN UNOPPOSED IN US CITY MAYORAL RACE

Incumbent Mayor Elizabeth ‘Malae’ Langkilde Kautz, a daughter of American Samoa ran unopposed in the mayoral race for the City of Burnsville in Minnesota receiving more than 22,000 votes during the Nov. 8th general election, according to City of Burnsville online election results.

It states Mayor Langkilde Kautz has been reelected to her eighth term as Mayor. Additionally, the mayoral seat was uncontested — meaning Kautz ran unopposed and her new four-year term expires Dec. 31, 2020.

Last month, Kautz — who has visited her family in American Samoa a few times over the years — was last month honored by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Partner America with their annual “Small Business Advocate Award.”

The award was presented for her efforts and support of small business in Burnsville. And she is a former president of the US Conference of Mayors.

“Supporting the business community and helping create jobs has always been one of my top priorities as Mayor,” said Kautz in a news release at the time. “While I am honored to receive this award, I am even more honored to have so many successful small businesses in our community.”

Kautz, who was born in American Samoa and attended St. Francis Elementary School in Lepua, is the daughter of the late Joe and Odila Langkilde of Leloaloa and Fagatogo.

STARKIST SAMOA PRODUCTION DOWN FOR THANKSGIVING WEEK

Pittsburgh-based StarKist Co. has confirmed that its StarKist Samoa operations in the territory will shut down for its annual maintenance for Thanksgiving week.

Samoa News learned early this week from two cannery employees that they are heading to Samoa for one week because StarKist Samoa has no production for next week.

Asked for comments, StarKist Co., spokesperson Michelle Faist confirmed in a statement yesterday morning that there will be no production at StarKist Samoa during Thanksgiving week from November 21- 25, 2016.

“This is a planned maintenance shutdown, and production will resume on November 28,” she said. “The StarKist Samoa leadership team wishes all employees a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Happy Thanksgiving.”

Samoa News understands that the can plant, Talofa Systems Inc., will also be closed for next week, starting Nov. 21 and operations are to resume Nov. 28. Both Talofa Systems and StarKist are owned by South Korean based Dongwon industries.

POLYNESIAN AIRLINES GETS ANOTHER 30-DAY WAIVER FOR MANU’A

Without a US carrier operating American Samoa’s domestic flights, the US Department of Transportation yesterday granted another 30-day cabotage, exemption to Polynesian Airlines to operate flights between Tutuila and the Manu’a island group. 

The current 30-day exemption expires Nov. 19 and the new 30-day waiver is effective Nov. 20 to Dec. 19, according to the USDOT decision, which also states the federal agency is deferring a decision on Polynesian’s request for a longer exemption beyond Dec. 19.

Polynesian’s flights to Manu’a are: to Fitiuta Airport on Ta’u Island — four times a week — and Ofu Airport, on Ofu Island — once a week.

Polynesian along with Talofa Airways operate the inter Samoa route.

LEONE HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL TURKEY RUN ON NOV. 23

Leone High School has confirmed that it’s annual Turkey Run, which coincides with Thanksgiving, is set for Nov. 23 and registration deadline is 4p.m. Nov. 22 at the high school’s office. However, late registration is accepted up to 3a.m. on Nov. 23 at the school’s gymnasium before the run gets underway.

There will be Zumba, Samoan food, raffles, canned food drive competition and other activities after the run. For more information and to register call 688-7688. Also see yesterday’s Samoa News for details in an advertisement.