Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Through a Mar. 10th memorandum, Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga reconstituted the ASG Zoning Board and announced nine new members. Each board member serves a two-year term, and may be reappointed to the board — members are not subject to Fono confirmation.

Local law states in part that that the Zoning Board consists of nine members, all of whom shall be U.S. nationals or citizens. Further the governor appoints four members; the district governor of each district shall each appoint one member while the Senate President and House Speaker each appoints one member.

The governor’s appointments to the board are Tolo Ho Ching, Malaeoletalu Meleisio Gurr, Jackie Manini-Tufele and Mataese Mataese Jr.

The Senate President’s appointee is Sen. Ponemafua Tapeni, while the House Speaker appointed Rep. Manumaua Wayne Wilson.

Furthermore, Pua’auli Ioane Pua’auli is appointed by the Eastern District governor, Amatafafai P. Iese is the Western District Governor’s appointee; and the Manu’a District governor appointed Sualevai Nofoaiga Sualevai.

Appointments by the district governors will have their terms expire on Jan. 3, 2023, while the rest expire Mar. 11, 2023.

In his memo, the governor appointed Fa’au Seumanutafa of the Commerce Department as the Zoning Administrator.

Among the duties, functions, and responsibilities of the board, in accordance to local law, includes; facilitating governmental services by providing for the orderly extension of utilities, roads, and other services; and promoting public health, safety and general welfare by preventing unreasonable congestion and concentration of population and assuring adequate light, air and privacy of all property.

Additionally, protect the right of all Samoans to have a planned and attractive environment for themselves as well as for their visitors and guests; and provide and preserve space for a growing population.

Past decisions by the board have been harshly criticized by many residents over the past years, including accusations of the board not doing their job in terms of meeting community responsibilities. At one point, the zoning board was alleged to be a ‘rubber stamp’ for the government and its supporters — with no specific administration being noted.