Ads by Google Ads by Google

Fono News

HOUSE COMMITTEE SEEKS 5-YEAR PLAN ON CHARTER BANK

 

Rep. Larry Sanitoa, chairman of the House Commerce Committee will be requesting a projected revenue and expenditures report from the Executive Branch before scheduling a hearing on the administration’s bill allowing the establishment of a government owned Charter Bank.

 

The Charter Bank legislation was introduced last Friday in the House and assigned to Sanitoa’s committee, while the measure is expected to be introduced this week in the Senate.

 

Responding to Samoa News questions, Sanitoa confirmed that he has not yet scheduled a hearing and that he will be requesting “a five-year financial statement on the projected revenue and expenditures” for the bank.

 

“I will also be requesting our legal people to do a Bill Summary analysis on the pros and cons of this bill,” Sanitoa said over the weekend.

 

According to provisions of the bill, all American Samoa government funds and deposits will be handled by the bank, which will be called the Territorial Bank of American Samoa. Additionally, it will be operated and managed by an ASG holding company called Territorial Bankcorp.

 

The measure identifies each semi autonomous ASG entity — including the ASG Employees Retirement Fund and the Feleti Barstow Library — and makes clear that all these government entities are required to have their funds and deposits handled by TBAS.

 

However, it says that any revenues earned from handling these accounts remains with the bank, which will get $10 million as start-up seed money, coming from a bond issued under the American Samoa Economic Development Authority. (See Samoa News edition Jan.15 for other information about the bank.)

 

NEW ASEDA BOARD NOMINEE INTRODUCED IN BOTH SENATE AND HOUSE

 

The governor’s nomination of Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale as a member of the American Samoa Economic Development Authority was introduced last Friday in both the Senate and House, with Senate confirmation hearing set for today, while no date is set for the House hearing.

 

Talauega replaces the board seat previously occupied by then Attorney General Afoa Moega Lutu who is now a senator. Talauega will fulfill the rest of Afoa’s term, which expires in September this year.

 

The Lolo Administration is hopeful for an expeditious approval for Talauega, as the ASEDA board’s priority at this point is getting the revolving bond issue moving forward so the bond proceeds will refinance outstanding millions of dollars of debt and other pressing projects.

 

ROADSIDE FUNDRAISING CONCERNS SURFACE ONCE AGAIN

 

During the Senate session last week, Sen. Faletagoai Tuiolemotu suggested strengthening the current law banning roadside funding raising, by giving police the authority to arrest violators.

 

His suggestion followed concerns raised by Sen. Alo Fa’auuga, who asked the Senate Public Safety Committee to look into the issue of roadside fund raising as there is current law prohibiting these types of activities.

 

Alo says he is concerned with people in these fundraising groups getting into the middle of the road to collect dollar bills thrown out the window of a moving vehicle and this may cause some serious problems, when someone gets hurt.

 

Faletagoai, who is committee chairman, said he believes the current law is weak and this is the reason why police are unable to curb violators. Further, he believes the law should be strengthened by allowing police to arrest violators in order to put a stop to the problem.

 

Sen. Nua Saoluaga requested that Faletagoai initiate the move to amend the law by introducing appropriate legislation so that senators can actually debate the pros and cons of such a proposal.

 

Gaoteote offered a solution, saying that if you see someone violating the law to call police and tell them what’s happening on the road. He also says that this is American Samoa and these fundraisers help groups and organizations with their future plans, and if you don’t want to donate to the fundraising, he suggested “just roll up your windows and driver through slowly”.

 

He also suggested that the committee chairman contact the DPS Commissioner to please visit the site of fundraisers violating current laws, to prevent anyone from being injured.

 

A roadside fundraising ban went into effect about 14 years ago, based on a bill that originated from the Senate in 1999 when senators at the time called these types of fundraisers “begging for money.”

 

FONO CONDOLENCES FOR AFIMUTASI GUS HANNEMANN

 

The Fono approved last Friday a House Concurrent Resolution conveying deepest condolences and sincere sympathies of the Legislature and the people of American Samoa to Mrs. Lydia Leimomi Hannemann and the entire Hannemann family over the passing of chief Afimutasi Gus Hannemann, who was director of the ASG Hawai’i Office at the time of his death.

 

The resolution, sponsored by House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale, also pays tribute to Afimutasi’s loyal, faithful and extensive service to God, family and country. The non-binding measure was presented to Mrs. Hannemann during Saturday’s funeral service in Honolulu.

 

Fono leaders left last Friday night to attend the funeral services that included Lt. Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga, who is in Honolulu for meetings, and First Lady Cynthia Moliga.

 

Afimutasi, who passed away Jan. 2, 2015 at Straub Clinic in Honolulu at the age of 78, was laid to rest yesterday at the National Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl in Honolulu.

 

The Fono resolution outlines Afimutasi’s service to the government, private sector, public service and the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints, where at the age of 26, he became the youngest church Bishop, while living in Honolulu.

 

According to the resolution, Afimutasi “was both a cultural and family leader who organized the community when Samoans had events or matters that required someone to lead” and that he was always wiling to help others in any way he could.