The American Samoa government has come up with local matching funds so that local residents employed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the disaster recovery finally get paid.

According to a caller to the governor’s radio program, the local FEMA recruits have not been paid since almost the start of the recovery efforts and wanted to know when these individuals will get a paycheck.

Responding to the caller, Gov. Togiola Tulafono said American Samoa needs to come up with local funds— in which the government will pay these individuals and FEMA will reimburse ASG.

Togiola says these individuals should be getting their pay checks very soon and asked for the public’s patience as the government works with FEMA on this issue.

FEMA spokesperson in American Samoa, Michelle Shortencarrier said yesterday that currently between 50 and 60 local residents “are on contract to FEMA from a FEMA-funded contract through the American Samoa government.”

ASVOAD ASKS FAMILIES TO ‘ADOPT A FAMILY’ IN NEED DURING THANKSGIVING

The American Samoa Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (ASVOAD) has launched a project for the Thanksgiving Day holiday— Adopt a Family.

ASVOAD and their partners are working with local relief efforts to accommodate affected families.

In ‘Adopt A Family’ — on the Thanksgiving Day holiday— you will provide a family in need with a meal at your home or cook a meal and deliver it to their home, says ASVOAD in a statement.

“This is a time for sharing the blessings from God in His Mercy and Grace, and what better time than the spirit of ‘Thanksgiving’,” ASVOAD explains. “Please Adopt A Family for Thanksgiving and make it special for those who need to see compassion at this time of the year.”

ASVOAD is planning on re-opening their centers in the areas that were heavily affected for their long-term recovery plan.

“As more containers enter American Samoa, these donations will swiftly rebuild and bring our community to a state of restoration and renewal,” say ASVOAD. “Our community has supported over and beyond their means, and on behalf of Rev. Sam Tailavea chairman of ASVOAD your giving is not anything new, it is who we are as a people who has learned the ultimate giving from our Lord Jesus Christ, and [for] this we pray blessings over you, your businesses and families here and far for all you have sacrificed.”

For more information, call ASVOAD at 699-9809, 699-2635 and 699-6621.

LOCAL RECORDING ARTIST JAY-ZEE TEAMS UP WITH SAMOA ARTIST

One of American Samoa’s popular recording artists “J-Zee” and Samoa’s Mr. Tee, have collaborated again to bring out another Mr. Tee album called Afaluko. J-Zee is featured in two tracks on the Afaluko Album from Mr. Tee, which is now on sale in Apia. The album is also available locally— here at Cheeky’s at Fagatogo Square, and Tropik Traders in Nuuuli.

J-Zee and some of Samoa’s better known artists such as Zipso, Master Sony, Puna and Fonti, and Mr. Tee have been working hand in hand to record on each other’s albums. Some of the 685 artists have completed their album, but J-Zee is yet to release another album.

Samoa News tracked down J-Zee to ask him when his new album is due out. He replied, “on December 30 of this year, and Mr. Tee, and Zipso are coming down in two weeks with two of my tracks, plus the tracks they will be featured in.”

He added, “I have a few more artists down the line that I want to feature in my new and upcoming album, and it’s going to include all the 684 artists.”

“I have already recorded a song with Ras Mas and Ekredible, and that song is a hot one called ‘Summertime’,” he said.

J-Zee has also recorded with local artists Ice Cream Man, and the Harbor Light Boys. He said that there are more artists that he wants to record with including, Niuaveve, Uso Coalition, T-Dub, Elite, and King Aeto and the Meto Boys.

Samoa News understands that J-Zee’s album was on hold for a time due to the Sept. 29 disaster. The up coming J-Zee Album will be entitled “Crazy ia te oe”.