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Fono News

SENATE HOLDS HEARING ON ISSUE OF POLICE BEING ARMED

 

The issue of police officers being armed will be discussed today in a hearing called by the Senate Public Safety Committee while the House has moved to cancel its hearing on this matter. Rep Alexander Eli Jennings pointed out the move by the House to postpone their hearing was due to an opinion by their legal counsel who’s currently conducting more research into the matter.

 

Attending the hearing before the Senators today is Commissioner of Public Safety, William Bill Haleck. The Commissioner told Samoa News recently that in order for our Police Department to be recognized and be qualified as a fully fledged police department there’s a need for the police officers to be armed — “because right now our motto is 'To serve and protect'. We can serve but we cannot protect.”

 

The Commissioner has already purchased 24 Glock-17s, which are 9-millimeter handguns, through the Criminal Justice Planning Agency, with the approval of Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga for $10,400. Haleck said they went directly to the manufacturer to purchase the guns.

 

SENATORS SEEK MORE FINANCIAL REPORTS FROM TREASURER

 

A hearing is slated for March 20, 2014 before the Senate’s Budget and Appropriation Committee with Treasurer Dr Falema’o Phil Pili on certain financial issues, and Senator Laolagi Savali Vaeao has  requested a detailed report of the First Quarter Revenue collections versus expenditures.

 

In a letter to the Treasurer last week, Laolagi thanked Falema’o for his cooperation in providing reports and information on ASG’s financial status “fulfilling the governor’s pledge of transparency in government.”

 

Laolagi is seeking another report — the financial report submitted to the US Department of Interior and the detailed breakdown of the $4.38 million dollar reprogramming of any surplus from the prior fiscal year.

 

As reported earlier, the reprogrammed $4.3 million was from  ASG entities to other departments and offices that were expecting an overrun in FY 2013.  The reprogrammed money, according to the administration, is underspending in FY 2013 by some departments and agencies, and is subject to Fono approval for ‘reprogrammed’.

 

NOMINEES TO TERRITORIAL PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVED BY HOUSE

 

Meleagi Suitonu Chapman and Gi Malala have been approved by the Fono, as members of the Territorial Planning Commission. The Senators last week unanimously endorsed the pair in a 14-0 vote following a 15 minute confirmation hearing.

 

The House also endorsed Gi and Chapman. According to Acting Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga in correspondence to the Fono leaders it's the function of the Territorial Planning Commission to authorize a general plan program for the territory.

 

“While  the Department of Commerce prepares the general plan, the Commission has an important role in reviewing and approving the general plan, prior to recommending it to the governor and legislature, relying on input from the planning districts and the private sector.”

 

Lemanu stated the planning District nominees each bring to the Commission years of involvement and experience in community affairs, and a profound and deep concern for managing the future of the territory.

 

PLANS FOR BOARDWALK RESOLUTION PASSED IN HOUSE

 

A resolution co-sponsored by seven representatives, calling on the Governor to direct the Directors of Public Works and Commerce to prepare and immediately implement plans for the construction of a boardwalk in the Pago Pago Bay Area, along with supporting structures for the continued development of business and economic growth in the Territory, was approved in the House last week Friday.

 

According to the resolution, the government has discussed and begun plans for the construction of the first boardwalk in the South Pacific region and the idea is to attract tourists who would enjoy the scenic view of the bay while utilizing the facilities that would line the structure.

 

The plans include the construction of a protective seawall that the boardwalk would run atop, or be placed in areas along the Pago Pago harbor.  It would span the shoreline behind the Fono Buildings and extend to the buildings behind the Fagatogo Marketplace. It would then extend from the Malaloa Marina to Pago Park and end at the Satala Cemetery.

 

To accommodate the yachting visitors, the resolution notes a proper marina must be built in the area from the Malaloa wharf and extend to the Pago Pago village and it must be equipped with proper moorings.  With the support services needed for the visitors, it would create jobs and establish new types of businesses.

 

The recreational boating and maritime industry contributes billions of dollars into the economies of many countries, and included in the capital infrastructure upgrades in this project would be the construction of a new wharf.

 

The resolution calls upon the Lolo and Lemanu Administration to utilize and expand the FEMA mitigation funds from the September 29, 2009 tsunami and funds from the Community Development Block Grant monies for Fiscal year 2015 and 2016  It also advises seeking funds allocated for capital improvement projects from the Department of Interior. 

 

EMS AND FIRE SERVICES NEED TO BE STATIONED ON EASTERN SIDE

 

House Health Committee is looking into complaints by Rep Fatuelegae’e Mauga as to why there is no EMS and Fire Service stationed on the Eastern side, as there is on the Western Side.

 

The issue was raised last week before the House Regular session, and Rep Fatulegae’e pointed out the concern was brought to his attention by his constituents who are not happy that when there are emergencies they have to wait for the EMS or firefighters from Fagatogo to render assistance.

 

“This is unacceptable, we should also have EMS and Fire services available to the Eastern Population like the rest of the territory,” said Fatulegae’e. Chairman of the House Health Committee, Mauagaoali’i Leapai Sipa Anoa’i noted that he has sought answers from the hospital and DPS as to why these services are not stationed on the eastern side and will report back to the House on the results.