MONDAY IS LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE

The local Election Office is reminding all eligible voters who have not yet registered to vote during the upcoming November elections that the last day to do so is Monday, October 6.

Eligible voters can register at the Election Office in Tafuna during normal business hours and even tomorrow, from 8 a.m. until noon.

Those who have already registered can check their voter status by either calling the Election Office at 699-3570/3571 or logging on to <www.americansamoaelectionoffice.org> and clicking on the voter status tab.

In the meantime, absentee votes are still being accepted and the closing date is Monday, November 3, 2014 at 4 p.m.

Voters traveling off island but returning to the territory BEFORE November 4, 2014 are NOT eligible to vote by local absentee ballot.

MOCHA CRISPIN-ROBINSON ATTAINS RANK OF LT. COLONEL

Mocha Crispin-Robinson was promoted to the rank of Lt Colonel in the United States Air Force earlier this week in Florida.

The momentous occasion was witnessed by Crispin-Robinson’s husband Trent and her father Peter Crispin, a businessman who co-owns and operates the Tool Shop and Samoa Gases.

Peter Crispin traveled to the east coast for the event and joined son-in-law Trent during the pinning ceremony.

OCTOBER IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga has proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and encourages “all residents of American Samoa to join in this vital cause for the protection of the victims of domestic violence.”

The theme for this year’s campaign is: “Strengthening Families and Communities”.

During this month, outreach programs and activities will be spearheaded by the American Samoa Alliance Against Domestic & Sexual Violence, its community partners, along with the Dept. of Human and Social Services (DHSS).

In his proclamation, Lolo said every individual deserves to live in a home or place that provides comfort and safety. “Many children suffer or witness abuse in their homes, creating a legacy of abusers and victims,” Lolo wrote. “Domestic violence will spill over into school and the work place, affecting people from all walks of life.”

In the territory, the Governor said, “there are strict laws intended to hold abusers accountable by bringing them to justice; but laws are not enough.” He said awareness and vigilance in identifying abuse as well as reporting such abuse must be supported and encouraged.

“A coordinated effort involving community leaders, government agencies, faith-based organizations, and various community groups is needed to stem out domestic violence,” said Lolo.

Outreach programs and activities for this month will be announced as they become finalized.

AIRPORT ROAD PROJECT PROGRESSING STEADILY

Work on the Airport Road is 46% complete and if everything goes as planned, most of the work should be completed later this year in December, thus hitting the target deadline of mid-January 2015.

Contractors McConnell Dowell have already constructed newer lanes off to the side of the road and are prepping the sites for three new roundabouts: one at the Fagaima intersection, one at the Industrial Road intersection across from the ASPA compound, one in front of the PX.  The existing roundabout is next to McDonald’s.

A government official who spoke to the Samoa News about the status of the project said everything is on the right track. All motorists and pedestrians are urged to be cautious of the work being carried out and to be mindful of the road crews and members of the traveling public.

The Airport Road project covers a total of 8700 feet and begins 250 feet from the main intersection in Tafuna, all the way to the airport entrance, looping around to cover the area from the Konelio Pele Army Reserve Center heading west near the McConnell Dowell office.

Despite assumptions that the new Airport Road will feature multiple lanes, Samoa News was told by a Dept. of Public Works official that only two lanes will be constructed and a middle lane will be used to plant trees and flowers for aesthetic purposes, although that middle lane could be used as a later time for ‘future expanses’. The middle lane is only included in the area from the Fagaima intersection to the PX.

Work on the Airport Road project started earlier this year in February and the contractors were given 330 days to complete the whole thing.