High Court orders funds made available for defense

Transcription

High Court orders funds made available for defense
Tales emerge of
missing and dead
in ship disaster 6
Gov re-nominates
Galea’i & Taufasau
for approval… 5
Harbaugh bros
a win away from
Super Bowl B1
C
M
Y
K
Petition picks up
steam; StarKist
CEO responds 4
Nisi o tamalii ma ponao’o o le itumalo
o le Maoputasi i le maea ai lea o le sailiga
tofi i le aso Tofi na tea nei, ma faapaleina ai le afioga i le Tapunuu ia Tiumalu
Telesia Scanlan na te faaauauaina le tofi
Senatoa na umia e le afioga i le Maopu ia
Amituana’i Eteuati.
Le afioga i le Tapunuu Tiumalu Telesia
Scanlan was selected by the District of
Maoputasi last Thursday to take the senate
seat, vacant since the passing of le afioga i
le Maopu Senator Amituana’i Eteuati.
O loo i ai i le ata le tofa Tuaolo M.
Fruean, Sen. Asuega Faamamata Lauvai,
Tiumalu, Faagata, Afoa Moega Lutu, tofa
Taisalialii, o le afioga i le Faalupega ia
[ata: AF]
Faumuina i le laina pito i tua.
online @ samoanews.com
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PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA
Thursday, January 19, 2012
$1.00
High Court orders funds made
Lali 9 available for defense lawyers to
Talia e le fa’amasi- re-certify for death penalty case
noga talosaga a le
Le
loia a Siaumau Jr.
Fa’atulaga vaega tupe e totogi ai malaga loia
tusia Ausage Fausia
Ua talia e le Faamasinoga Maualuga le talosaga na fa’aulu e
le tamaitai loia fautua lea ua tofia e tulai mo Siaumau Siaumau
Jr., mo se vaega tupe mai i le malo, e na te auai atu ai i se
a’oa’oga o le a faia i Amerika, ina ia mafai ai ona aloaia lona
tauaveina o le mataupu faasaga i le ua molia, ona o lea o lo o
i ai se talosaga a le malo ina ia fa’asala Siaumau Jr., i le oti.
Ua pasia e le fa’amasinoga, le fa’aaluina o se vaega tupe e
$4,936, e fa’atupe ai le pasese, totogi o le fale e nofo ai le loia,
fa’apea ma le alauni a lana loia.
O lea a’oa’oga ua fa’amoemoe e faia i le aso 27 ma le 28 o
Ianuari i le a’ai o Birmingham, Alabama, lea o le a talanoaina
ai mataupu e fa’atatau i fa’asalaga o le oti.
O Siaumau Jr o lo o tu’uaia i moliaga mamafa, e aofia ai le
fasioti tagata i le tulaga muamua, taumafai e fa’ao’o le oti i se
tagata, fa’apea ai le fa’ao’olima i le tulaga muamua, ona o le
fa’alavelave lea na tulai mai i le aso 22 Iulai 2010 i luma o le
Fale Faamasino Maualuga le tumau i Fagatogo, lea na tagatava-
by Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu
Samoa News Correspondent
Associate Justice Lyle Richmond yesterday
ordered the Treasury to immediately issue
travel authorization for Siaumau Siaumau
Jr’s lawyer, Assistant Public Defender Leslie
Cardin to travel off island to attend a required
death penalty re-certification seminar.
Siaumau is accused of the murder of police
Lt. Liusila Brown and the attempted murder
of another police officer almost two years ago.
Following the hearing, Richmond ordered the
government to pay up to $4,936, which includes
tuition, airfare, per diem and ground transportation for the defense to attend the death penalty seminar. In granting the motion, Richmond
said that the training was necessary so that the
defense lawyer can be re-certified as currently
qualified to serve as counsel on a death penalty
case. He ordered that the funds come “from an
account separate from the current fiscal year
budget of the Public Defender’s Office.”
Cardin’s expedited motion for funding from
the government followed the Public Defender’s
Office being appointed to represent Siaumau in
this case, in which prosecution has asked for the
death penalty. In Cardin’s motion filed with the
High Court, she notes that there are two attorneys from the Public Defender’s office who
meet the criteria to represent the defendant in
a death penalty case, however neither attorney
is current with the annual mandatory death penalty training as required by the American Bar
Association. She said that an estimated cost for
the training is close to $5,000.
The Assistant Public Defender first addressed
the issue that she has yet to obtain Siaumau’s
file from his previous attorney Tautai Aviata
Faalevao, since he withdrew from representing
Siaumau due to his health condition and is still
off-island. She noted Tautai’s office is still
closed and the defendant’s family is trying to
get someone who has access to the file.
(Continued on page 14)
(Faaauau itulau 12)
C
M
Y
K
Paul Solofa trial
underway in D.C.
by Fili Sagapolutele
Samoa News Correspondent
Former local Department of Education official Paul Solofa
went on trial yesterday at the federal court in Washington D.C.
on charges of obstruction of justice and witness tampering stemming from his role in the school bus spare parts scheme at the
time he was head of the DOE business office several years ago.
No other details were available on federal electronic court
records as to yesterday’s proceedings, however, not much is
expected to be released when it comes to opening and closing
arguments as well as witness testimonies.
Star witnesses for prosecutors are Gustav Nauer, former
supervisor for DOE school bus division and Oscar Mayer, boss
of Pacific Products, the local firm which supplied spare parts
for the school bus scheme. While Mayer has yet to be charged,
Nauer has already pled guilty at the federal court in Honolulu
and will be sentenced later this year.
(Continued on page 14)
Yesterday, early evening, the “Pa i Fualaga” bus ran off the road, landing on its roof, in Lauli’i.
Unconfirmed sources told Samoa News that there were more than ten (10) passengers aboard, and
all were injured — many of them children. There are two people (adults) said to be in critical condition. Samoa News was told that the driver did not sustain any injuries, and as of yesterday evening,
[photo: AF]
was in police custody. The reason for the bus accident is not known at this time.
Page 2
samoa news, Thursday, January 19, 2012
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MOMENTS IN TIME
The History Channel
❖ On Feb. 3, 1780, in one of the most famous crimes of
post-Revolution America, 20-year-old boarder Barnett Davenport commits a mass murder, killing a family of five at their
home in rural Connecticut. Until then, crime was viewed as
sinners losing their way. But Davenport’s crime caused people
to perceive criminals as evil and alien to the rest of society.
❖ On Feb. 2, 1812, Russians establish Fort Ross on the
coast north of San Francisco as a source of growing food.
The effort was not successful. American John Sutter bought
Fort Ross in 1841 with an unsecured $30,000 note that he
never paid.
❖ On Feb. 1, 1917, Germany returns to the policy of
unrestricted submarine warfare in the Atlantic as it prepares
to attack any and all ships. Two days later, the United States
broke off diplomatic relations with Germany. Just hours
after that, the American liner Housatonic was sunk by a
German U-boat.
❖ On Feb. 4, 1922, the Ford Motor Company acquires
the failing luxury automaker Lincoln Motor Company for $8
million. Ford’s son Edsel eventually helped to convince his
father to drop his famous rule: “You can have any color, as
long as it’s black.”
❖ On Feb. 5, 1937, President Franklin Roosevelt announces
a controversial plan to expand the Supreme Court to as many
as 15 judges. Critics charged that Roosevelt was trying to neutralize Supreme Court justices hostile to his New Deal. By
1942, all but two of the justices were his appointees.
❖ On Jan. 30, 1948, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the
political and spiritual leader of the Indian independence movement, is assassinated in New Delhi by a Hindu fanatic. Known
as Mahatma, Gandhi’s persuasive methods of civil disobedience influenced leaders of civil rights movements, especially
Martin Luther King Jr.
❖ On Jan. 31, 1950, U.S. President Harry Truman publicly announces his decision to support the development
of the hydrogen bomb. In 1952, the United States successfully detonated “Mike” in the Pacific Marshall Islands. The
10.4-megaton thermonuclear device instantly vaporized an
entire island.
(c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.
Obama rejects Canadian
oil pipeline — for now…
WASHINGTON (AP) -- In a politically
explosive decision, President Barack Obama
on Wednesday rejected plans for a massive
oil pipeline through the heart of the United
States, ruling there was not enough time for a
fair review before a looming deadline forced on
him by Republicans. His move did not kill the
project but could again delay a tough choice for
him until after the November elections.
Right away, the implications rippled across
the political spectrum, stirred up the presidential campaign and even hardened feelings with
Canada, a trusted U.S. ally and neighbor. For
a U.S. electorate eager for work, the pipeline
has become the very symbol of job creation for
Republicans, but Obama says the environment
and public safety must still be weighed too.
The plan by Calgary-based TransCanada
Corp. would carry tar sands oil from western
Canada across a 1,700-mile pipeline across six
U.S. states to Texas refineries.
Obama was already on record as saying no,
for now, until his government could review an
alternative route that avoided environmentally
sensitive areas of Nebraska - a route that still has
not been proposed, as the White House emphasizes. But Obama had to take a stand again by
Feb. 21 at the latest as part of an unrelated tax
deal he cut with Republicans.
This time, the project would go forward
unless Obama himself declared it was not in
the national interest. The president did just that,
reviving intense reaction.
“This announcement is not a judgment on the
merits of the pipeline, but the arbitrary nature
of a deadline that prevented the State Department from gathering the information necessary
to approve the project and protect the American
people,” Obama said in a written statement.
“I’m disappointed that Republicans in Congress
forced this decision.”
Republicans responded unsparingly.
“President Obama is destroying tens of thousands of American jobs and shipping American
energy security to the Chinese. There’s really
just no other way to put it. The president is
selling out American jobs for politics,” House
Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said. Insisting
that the pipeline would help the economy, he
declared: “This is not the end of the fight,” signaling that Republicans might try again to force
a decision.
The State Department said the decision was
made “without prejudice,” meaning TransCanada can submit a new application once a
new route is established. Russ Girling, TransCanada’s president and chief executive officer,
said the company plans to do exactly that. If
approved, the pipeline could begin operation as
soon as 2014, Girling said.
It did not take long for the Republicans
seeking Obama’s job to slam him.
Newt Gingrich, campaigning for the GOP
presidential nomination in South Carolina, called
Obama’s decision “stunningly stupid,” adding:
“What Obama has done is kill jobs, weaken
American security and drive Canada into the
arms of China out of just sheer stupidity.”
Republican presidential front-runner Mitt
Romney said the decision was “as shocking as
it is revealing. It shows a president who once
again has put politics ahead of sound policy.”
Project supporters say U.S. rejection of the
pipeline would not stop it from being built.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has
said Canada is serious about building a pipeline
to its West Coast, where oil could be shipped to
China and other Asian markets.
Harper on Wednesday told Obama he was
profoundly disappointed that Obama turned
down the pipeline, Harper’s office said.
(Continued on page 4)
Forum: wide support for Nationals
applying for citizenship from here
by Fili Sagapolutele
Samoa News Correspondent
A majority of the 15 members of the community who testified at last Thursday night’s
public forum supported Congressman Faleomavaega Eni’s proposal to allow U.S. Nationals
residing in American Samoa to apply directly
from here for U.S. Citizenship.
Faleomavaega stressed during the forum that
this proposal “does not force anyone to become
a U.S. citizen” but provides an option — instead
of the current federal law— which requires U.S.
Nationals to live for a certain period of time in
any state before being eligible to be apply for
citizenship.
He said the current process is costly, wherein
the U.S. National has to travel and live in the
U.S. He said the cost of air fare is high and
living expenses mean a lot of money to deal
with.
Ruby Reid testified that she supports this proposal “which is an option” for U.S. Nationals
living in the territory who don’t want to live in
the U.S. in order to qualify for citizenship. This
was also supported by Esther Wall.
If the measure is introduced in the U.S. Congress, Reid hopes that congressional members
would consider this measure for approval.
Sandra King-Young said she sees nothing
wrong with this proposal, especially when it
makes it easy to apply for citizenship from the
territory. “The current process is burdensome,”
she added.
Moli Lemana, who supports the proposal,
said that U.S. Nationals who travel to the U.S.
don’t get all the benefits a U.S. citizen receives
in America.
Rep. Va’amua Henry Sesepasara told the
Congressman that “I support anything you
can do to make it easy to get U.S. citizenship”
adding that this is a choice, and he chose a long
time ago when he was living in the U.S. not to
be a U.S. citizen.
At least two other witnesses who testified
believed that the best solution to address this
matter is to have it put forth in a referendum for
the upcoming November general election.
A few residents who were not able to
attend the Thursday public forum, said in separate e-mails to Samoa News that they would
prefer to have this issue put on a referendum
for voters to decide upon, since it is the best
way get a wider audience to cast a vote on this
proposal.
Faleomavaega told the audience during the
public forum this can be done via a Fono resolution that can be put forth for voters to decide
upon.
He also pointed out that this proposal has yet
to be introduced in Congress and if it is introduced, there is no clear indication if Congress
will get to this issue because of the many other
pending matters they currently face.
According to Faleomavaega, he has not yet
received an official opinion from the Togiola
administration on this matter, or on the proposal
that would allow foreigners who have lived
legally in the territory for a certain number of
years to become U.S. Nationals.
He said draft copies of the proposals were
sent last year to the governor as well as the Fono,
whose members appears to have no problem
with the issue of U.S. Nationals applying from
here for U.S. Citizenship, but who have voiced
a lot of concern with the proposal dealing with
foreigners becoming U.S. Nationals.
samoa news, Thursday, January 19, 2012 Page 3
Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu
Samoa News Correspondent
POLICE RAID FAGAIMA HOME
Department of Public Safety’s Vice and Narcotics Division
executed a search warrant on a family home in Fagaima yesterday morning.
During the search of the suspect’s room, police found
marijuana leaves (worth three marijuana joints) and drug paraphernalia, including small empty baggies, an electric grinder
used to grind marijuana leaves. Close to $1,000 with different
denominations was also found.
According to police, the suspect was arrested over the
weekend on a DUI charge and was released this morning from
the District Court on traffic citations.
However as soon as the suspect was released, while
removing his orange jumpsuit outside the court room, Vice
and Narcotics Officers took the suspect to the police station
for questioning.
KOSEMA LEAFI
A 38-year old drug defendant has entered into a plea agreement with the government. Kosema Leafi pleaded guilty to
possession of a marijuana joint, and the plea was accepted by
Chief Justice Michael Kruse.
Police reports state the defendant was found with the marijuana joint in Utulei on December 21, 2011.
Kruse scheduled sentencing for the defendant for March
23, 2012.
Leafi’s counsel, Assistant Public Defender Leslie Cardin
then requested to the Chief Justice that her client be released
on his own recognizance while awaiting sentencing, scheduled
to occur in two months. The defendant has been in custody
since December last year.
Kruse ordered that the defendant be released from jail
if he pays $500 (or 10%) of his total $5,000 bond. Another
condition handed down was for the defendant’s sponsor or a
responsible US National to write a letter indicating to the court
the defendant will appear at all his court hearings. The defendant’s passport must also be turned into the AG’s Office and
the defendant must also undergo drug testing.
HOUSE FOR SALE
Reach the reporter at fili@samoanews.com
LOCATED IN OTTOVILLE BEHIND THE TRADEWINDS HOTEL
CALL - 688-7598 & 731-2956
Page 4
samoa news, Thursday, January 19, 2012
➧ Obama rejects oil pipeline…
Continued from page 2
Alex Pourbaix, TransCanada’s president for energy and oil
pipelines, said last week the company soon will have a new
route through Nebraska “that everyone agrees on.”
The proposed $7 billion pipeline would run through Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma en route
to Texas. The pipeline is a dicey proposition for Obama, who
enjoyed strong support from both organized labor and environmentalists in his winning 2008 campaign for the White House.
Environmental advocates have made it clear that approval of
the pipeline would dampen their enthusiasm for Obama in the
upcoming November election. Some liberal donors even threatened to cut off funds to Obama’s re-election campaign to protest
the project, which opponents say would transport “dirty oil” that
requires huge amounts of energy to extract.
But by rejecting the pipeline, Obama risks losing support from
organized labor, a key part of the Democratic base, for thwarting
thousands of jobs. “The score is Job-Killers, two; American
workers, zero,” said Terry O’Sullivan, general president of the
Laborers’ International Union of North America. O’Sullivan
called the decision “politics at its worst” and said, “Blue collar
construction workers across the U.S. will not forget this.”
Yet some unions that back Obama oppose the pipeline,
included United Auto Workers, Service Employees International Union and Communications Workers of America.
TransCanada says the pipeline could create as many as 20,000
jobs, a figure opponents say is inflated. A State Department
report last summer said the pipeline would create up to 6,000
jobs during construction. Obama appeared to have skirted what
some dubbed the “Keystone conundrum” in November when
the State Department announced it was postponing a decision
on the pipeline until after this year’s election. Officials said they
needed extra time to study routes that avoid an environmentally
sensitive area of Nebraska that supplies water to eight states.
The affected area stretches just 65 miles through the Sandhills region of northern Nebraska, but the concerns were serious
enough that the state’s governor and senators opposed the project
until the pipeline was moved. The new route, which has not been
chosen, would have to be approved by Nebraska environmental
officials and the State Department, which has authority because
the pipeline would cross an international border.
Obama said his decision does not “change my administration’s commitment to American-made energy that creates jobs and
reduces our dependence on oil.” To underscore the point, Obama
signaled that he would not oppose development of an oil pipeline
from Oklahoma to refineries along the Gulf of Mexico. TransCanada already operates a pipeline from Canada to Cushing, Okla.
Refineries in Houston and along the Texas Gulf Coast can
handle heavy crude such as that extracted from Canadian tar sands
- the type of oil that would flow through the Keystone XL pipeline.
Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., said he doesn’t believe the Keystone XL is a dead project. He said the Obama administration
did not have enough time to review the project, given the Republican-imposed timeline. “I don’t believe this is the end of the
story,” Conrad told The Associated Press. “My personal view
is that it should be constructed. It’s clear Canada is going to
develop this resource, and I believe it is better for our country to
have it go here rather than Asian markets.”
Bill McKibben, an environmental activist who led opposition
to the pipeline, praised Obama’s decision to stand up to what he
called a “naked political threat from Big Oil.” Jack Gerard, the
oil industry’s top lobbyist, had said last week that Obama faced
“huge political consequences” if he rejected the pipeline.
“It’s not only the right thing, it’s a very brave thing to do,”
McKibben said. “That’s the Barack Obama I think people
thought they were electing back in 2008.”
Petition opposing the Fagatogo site for
StarKist cold storage picking up steam
StarKist responds to critics: “We are confident
the port area is the best location available…”
by Fili Sagapolutele
Samoa News Correspondent
While a petition opposing the Fagatogo main
port area site for the StarKist cold storage facility
has been circulating since Tuesday, by a group
calling themselves, “Committee in Defense of
the Main Dock in American Samoa”, StarKist
Co. president and chief executive officer In-Soo
Cho has responded to local criticism over the
company’s plan to build on the 42,000 square
foot parcel of government land that lies directly
between the Port Administration building and
the inter island dock.
Cho reiterated his previous statements including
those made last month when the company’s board
of directors met here, saying that StarKist is committed to its American Samoa operations.
“Because building a cold storage facility is
a critical part of this commitment, StarKist has
allocated its own capital funds to the project
and is eager to move forward in order to enable
expanded production and to continue to improve
American Samoa competitiveness,” Cho said in
a statement yesterday.
Working closely with ASG, the company’s
business partners, and engineering companies,
“we jointly came to the conclusion that the port
land is the best alternative for cold storage construction,” he said, adding that a signing of the
memorandum of understanding early last month
with ASG confirmed StarKist’s commitment.
Shipyard Services Authority board vice chair,
David Robinson told Samoa News that the area
next to the shipyard had been offered to StarKist
for the cold facility and this was confirmed yesterday by Cho.
However, said Cho, “our thorough analysis
ultimately showed that the space was capital prohibitive, lacked dock space, and would require
too long a construction schedule.”
“We are confident that the port area is the
best location available for direct unloading and
storage.”
“Since it will be strictly cold storage, we
believe that it will not interfere with other activities of the port, nor negatively impact the environment,” he points out. “Additionally, we will
continue to work with all local stakeholders —
EPA, port authorities, local community — to
address any and all concerns that may arise with
this project.”
Cho says he personally thanks American
Samoa’s leaders, ASG and the American Samoan
community for their continued support of StarKist.
“I ask for your ongoing partnership in
working to meet the challenges ahead in making
American Samoa as competitive as possible —
for the mutual benefit of StarKist and American
Samoa,” he said.
While supportive of the new project, Robinson told Samoa News last month that “we are
concerned that the location may not be the most
suitable from an environmental perspective, it
may not be a compatible activity located in an
area where there are ever increasing numbers of
tourists arriving on cruise ships, and there could
be some transportation issues on the main road
from the cannery to the cold store.”
Sen. Lualemaga Faoa agreed with Robinson,
and the senator suggested locating the proposed
facility in Atu’u, at the large government parcel
of land around Tri Marine International, operator
of the new Samoa Tuna Processors Inc., cannery.
PETITION
The petition opposing the Fagatogo- port
area site for the StarKist cold storage facility has
been circulating since Tuesday, as reported in
local media. (See Wednesday’s edition of Samoa
News for a copy of the petition).
Samoa News understands the group wants to
make the petition available to all clans, families,
individuals, as well as businesses interested in
opposing the Fagatogo- port area site.
For example, an Afoa/ Lutu family meeting
was held yesterday afternoon regarding family
matters — and while the petition was not a part
of the family agenda, it was circulated and it
was signed by most that were there, with several
people taking petitions to gather more signatures.
The group’s contact number is 633-2208 for
anyone who is interested in signing the petition,
want a copy of the petition or has further questions. There is also a petition available to be
signed at the Samoa News office, in Fagatogo,
across from the Main Dock.
Rhonda Annesley contributed to this report.
Reach the reporter at fili@samoanews.com
© Osini Faleatasi Inc. reserves all rights.
dba Samoa News is published Monday through Saturday, except for some local & federal holidays.
Please send correspondences to: OF, dba Samoa News, Box 909, Pago Pago, Am. Samoa 96799.
Contact us by Telephone at (684) 633-5599
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samoa news, Thursday, January 19, 2012 Page 5
American Samoa
THIS SPACE IS
AVAILABLE!
The cruise ship Costa Serena passes offshore as its sister ship Costa Concordia lies on its side
off the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012. The $450 million Costa Concordia cruise ship was carrying more than 4,200 passengers and crew when it slammed into a
reef Friday off the tiny Italian island of Giglio after the captain made an unauthorized maneuver.
(AP Photo/Angelo Carconi)
The death toll stands at 11, with 22 people still missing. Governor re-nominates Galea’i and Taufasau to head Education & Procurement
Submits Lealao Soloata Melila Purcell Jr. for Agriculture Dept.
by Fili Sagapolutele
Samoa News Correspondent
Gov. Togiola Tulafono has submitted for
Fono confirmation his new appointments for
director of the Agriculture Department and
reappointments for the director of Education
Department and Chief Procurement Officer.
The nominations, all made in separate letters
dated Jan. 10, are now put in resolution form for
introduction in both the Senate and House.
AGRICULTURE NOMINEE
To head the Agriculture Department, the
governor has nominated Lealao Soloata Melila
Purcell Jr. The former director, Lefiti A. Pese
was appointed by the governor late last year to
be Secretary of Samoan Affairs following the
death of Tufele Li’amatua.
In his nomination letter, the governor said
Lealao has recently worked as a consultant to
the Agriculture Department where he provided
“self-sufficiency training and instruction to
persons interested in starting and maintaining
home gardening projects.”
Lealao had previously served as Human
Resources manager at StarKist Samoa from
1990 to 2007. Prior to that, he was assistant
Personnel manager from 1988 to 1990. He also
worked for the Department of Education, from
1981 to 1988 as program coordinator for health,
physical education and athletics, and has been
a project director at DOE as well from 1983 to
1988, according to his resume submitted to the
Fono.
A graduate of Kahuku High School in
Hawai’i, Lealao holds a Bachelor of Arts degree
in health education from Brigham Young University and a Master of Education degree from
the University of Hawai’i-Manoa. He served for
20 years as an Army Reservist and has earned
many honors in service to our country, said the
governor.
“Lealao’s commitment to serving his family,
village, government and country are evident,”
said Togiola. “He will be an asset to the territory as director of the Agriculture Department.”
The governor says he is confident that Lealao
will faithfully execute the duties and responsibilities of his office and urged the Fono for their
support and confirmation.
RE-NOMINATED
The governor has re-appointed Dr. Jacinta
Suataute Galea’i as DOE director and Mrs.
Ivy Aiumu-Taufa’asau as Chief Procurement
Officer. Both nominees failed to muster full
support in the Fono last year for nomination to
their respective posts and were rejected.
Galeai holds a Doctoral, Masters and
Bachelor’s degrees in English, while Mrs.
Aiumu-Taufa’asau holds a Bachelor of Arts in
Economics.
Togiola says he has full confidence in
these two nominees to carry out the duties of
their respective offices and urged the Fono for
confirmation.
Reach the reporter at fili@samoanews.com
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Page 6
samoa news, Thursday, January 19, 2012
The cruise ship Costa Concordia lies on its side off the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012. Italian searchers suspended operations on
Wednesday after the enormous cruise ship shifted slightly, creating concerns for the safety of divers and firefighters scouring the ship for more than 20 passengers
and crew still missing. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Two charged in alleged
burglary spree in Leone
by Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu
Samoa News Correspondent
Two men charged in connection with burglarizing a store
and attempted burglaries of two other stores in Leone have
made their initial appearance before the District Court.
Ryan Pite is held on bail of $50,000 while Siaosi Va’a Jr’s
bail is set at $35,000. The pair in their twenties are represented by
the public defender’s office. The men are facing two charges of
Attempted Burglary Second Degree, Burglary First Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Burglary in the First Degree, Stealing and three
misdemeanor counts of Property Damage in the Third Degree.
The alleged burglaries and attempted burglaries occurred on
January 10, 2012 during the wee hours of the night.
According to court documents, while the pair were engaged
in a drinking session in Leone, Pite asked his co-defendant Va’a
if they should break into Mamoe’s store near the area. However
Va’a informed Pite they cannot break into the store, because it has
a metal lock on the door. Pite told his co-defendant he knew a way
into the store. This is alleged to have occurred around 3:30am.
Court documents specify that while Pite attempted to break
into Mamoe’s store, Va’a waited outside. The store owners
heard noises indicating that someone was in the store. When the
storeowner called out to Pite, the pair fled the scene. Court documents say that’s when the victims called police and reported
the matter, and that defendants only damaged the re-bar. After
the pair fled from Mamoe’s store they proceeded to Lemau’s
store, which was in the same vicinity.
About an hour later police received another call from the
owners of Lemau’s store that the suspects were trying to break
into the store. Court filing says the owner heard noises coming
from the store and he immediately woke up and looked at surveillance video on his laptop and saw two men who had their
heads covered. It’s alleged the pair was pulling the front door
back and forth, trying to get into the store. The storeowner said
the men left the store because he had two hammers on hand in
preparation to defend his family from the alleged burglars. The
owner of Lemau’s store told police the defendants damaged the
surveillance camera that was mounted outside the store.
According to the government’s case while police officers
were at Lemau’s store conducting their investigation, they
received another call that a burglary was in progress around the
same area. It’s alleged the defendants managed to break into the
last store. Leone store owner told police she heard dogs barking,
and when she came outside she saw the two suspects breaking
the glass window, reaching inside and taking items from the
store. Court document says the defendants took five boxes of
candies and two boxes of gum, which were valued at $166.00.
The Leone store window that was damaged is valued at $80.
The pair is scheduled to appear again this Friday before the
District Court for their preliminary examination.
Tales emerge of missing
and dead in ship disaster
ROME (AP) -- An Italian dad and his 5-yearold daughter. A retired American couple treating
themselves after putting four children through college. A Hungarian musician who helped crying
children into lifejackets, then disappeared while
trying to retrieve his beloved violin from his cabin.
As details emerged Wednesday about the
missing and the dead in the grounding of the
Costa Concordia, the captain was quoted as
saying he tripped and fell into the water from the
listing vessel and never intended to abandon his
passengers.
The search for the 21 people still unaccounted
for in the disaster ground to a halt after the cruise
liner shifted again on its rocky perch off the
Tuscan island of Giglio, making it too dangerous
for divers to continue. Rough seas were forecast
for the next few days.
The bad weather also postponed the start of
the weekslong operation to extract the half-million gallons of fuel on board the vessel, as Italy’s
environment minister warned Parliament of the
ecological implications if the ship sinks.
The $450 million Costa Concordia was carrying more than 4,200 passengers and crew when
it slammed into a reef and capsized Friday after
the captain made an unauthorized diversion from
his programmed route and strayed into the perilous waters.
Capt. Francesco Schettino, who was jailed after
he left the ship before everyone was safely evacuated, was placed under house arrest Tuesday,
facing possible charges of manslaughter, causing
a shipwreck and abandoning his ship.
The ship’s operator, Crociere Costa SpA,
has accused Schettino of causing the wreck by
making the unapproved detour, and the captain
has acknowledged carrying out what he called a
“tourist navigation” that brought the ship closer
to Giglio. Costa has said such a navigational “fly
by” was done last Aug. 9-10, after being approved
by the company and Giglio port authorities.
However, Lloyd’s List Intelligence, a leading
maritime publication, said Wednesday its tracking
of the ship’s August route showed it actually took
the Concordia slightly closer to Giglio than the
course that caused Friday’s disaster.
“This is not a black-and-white case,” Richard
Meade, editor of Lloyd’s List, said in a statement.
“Our data suggests that both routes took the
vessel within 200 meters (yards) of the impact
point and that the authorized route was actually
closer to shore.”
New audio of Schettino’s communications
with the coast guard during the crisis emerged
Wednesday, with the captain claiming he ended
up in a life raft after he tripped and fell into the
water.
“I did not abandon a ship with 100 people
on board, the ship suddenly listed and we were
thrown into the water,” Schettino said, according
to a transcript published Wednesday in the Corriere della Sera paper.
Initial audio of Schettino’s conversations
made headlines on Tuesday, showing an increasingly exasperated coast guard officer ordering
Schettino back on board to direct the evacuation,
and the captain resisting, saying it was too dark
and the ship was tipping.
The officer’s order, “Get back on board, (expletive!)” has entered the Italian lexicon, becoming
a Twitter hashtag and adorning T-shirts.
Eleven people have been confirmed dead so
far, and 21 are missing. Italian officials have only
released 27 names so far, including two Americans, 12 Germans, six Italians, four French, and
one person each from Hungary, India and Peru.
The Hungarian victim was identified
Wednesday as 38-year-old Sandor Feher, who
had been working as an entertainer on the stricken
cruise ship. His body was found inside the wreck
and identified by his mother, who had traveled
to the Italian city of Grosseto, according to Hungary’s foreign ministry.
Jozsef Balog, a pianist who worked with
Feher on the ship, told the Blikk newspaper that
Feher was wearing a lifejacket when he decided
to return to his cabin to retrieve his violin. Feher
was last seen on deck en route to the area where
he was supposed to board a lifeboat.
According to Balog, Feher helped put lifejackets on several crying children before
returning to his cabin.
(Continued on page 8)
Protest exposes Silicon
Valley-Hollywood rivalry
LOS ANGELES (AP) -In a move that heightens the
growing tension between Silicon Valley and Hollywood,
Wikipedia and other websites
went dark Wednesday in protest
of two congressional proposals
intended to thwart the online
piracy of copyrighted movies
and TV programs.
The web-based encyclopedia
is part of a loose coalition of
dot-coms and large technology
companies that fear Congress
is prepared to side with Hollywood and enact extreme measures - possibly including the
blocking of entire websites- to
stop the online sharing and
unauthorized use of Hollywood
productions.
The fight will test which
California-based industry has
the most sway in Washington.
For now, Silicon Valley
appears to have the upper hand.
Supporters of the legislation called the Stop Online Piracy
Act in the House and the Protect
Intellectual Property Act in the
Senate - say the bills are aimed
at protecting jobs in the movie
and music industries. But a
campaign including tech heavyweights such as Google Inc.
and Yahoo Inc. has successfully
portrayed the bills as an attack
on a free and open Internet.
“It has nothing to do with
stolen songs or movies,” said
Justin Ruben, executive director
of MoveOn.org, which is participating in the blackout. Ruben
says tougher legislation - even
directed overseas - could make
domestic cultural commentators
more prone to legal attack.
Rather than showing encyclopedia articles, Wikipedia
displayed a blacked-out page
describing the protest and
offering more information on
the bills. Many articles were
still viewable on cached pages.
Reddit.com shut down its
social news service for 12
hours. Other sites made their
views clear without cutting
off services. Google blacked
out the logo on its home page,
directing people to a page where
they could add their names to a
petition.
The one-day outage was
timed to coincide with key House
and Senate committee hearings
as they prepare to send the bills
to the full floor for debate.
However, sponsor Rep.
Lamar Smith, a Texas Republican, sought last week to
remove a controversial provision from the House bill that
could force Internet service
providers to interfere with the
way Web addresses work for
foreign sites deemed dedicated
to piracy. He postponed work
on the measure until February.
Critics believe such tinkering
with core Internet technology
treads into dangerous territory
that could lead to online censorship. It might also give hackers
a new way to wreak havoc.
The White House raised concerns that the bills could stifle
innovation. Over the weekend,
the Obama administration reacted
to two online petitions, saying it
“will not support legislation that
reduces freedom of expression,
increases cybersecurity risk or
undermines the dynamic, innovative global Internet.”
At the same time, the administration called on all sides to
“pass sound legislation this year
that provides prosecutors and
rights holders new legal tools
to combat online piracy originating beyond U.S. borders.”
That nuanced stance is President Barack Obama’s attempt at
“threading the needle” between
two important constituencies as he seeks re-election in
November, said Jeffrey Silva,
a technology policy analyst
at Medley Global Advisors in
Washington.
On the one hand, his administration has defended a free,
open Internet as it watched
repressive regimes fall in the
Middle East with help from
social media such as Twitter.
It has also been a proponent of
the concept of “net neutrality,”
which prevents Internet service
providers from slowing online
traffic that comes from filesharing sites known to trade in
pirated content.
On the other hand, Obama
and other Democrats have gone
to Hollywood dozens of times
to raise campaign funds over
the years.
“The administration is trying
to fight to protect the Internet
space,” Silva said. “But at the
same time, it doesn’t want to
disenfranchise Hollywood and
the business community.”
Indeed, behind the protests
and public posturing, both Hollywood and Silicon Valley spend
generously to lobby causes in
Washington. According to the
Center for Responsive Politics, the movie, television and
music industries spent a combined $91.7 million on lobbying
efforts in 2011, compared with
the computer and Internet industry’s $93 million.
In the 2012 election cycle,
the movie, television and music
industry offered up $7.7 million
in direct campaign contributions
to congressional candidates. The
computer and Internet industry
contributed $6.6 million.
Despite the uproar on websites and blogs, PIPA remains
firmly in play. Senate Judiciary
Committee Chairman Patrick
Leahy said Tuesday that he
intends to push the bill toward
a floor vote on Jan. 24. He said
much of the criticism of the bill
is “flatly wrong.”
But amid the high-tech campaign against the bills, several
lawmakers came out in opposition. At least three Senate
Republicans who had previously
cosponsored the Senate bill Orrin Hatch of Utah, Roy Blunt
of Missouri and John Boozman
of Arkansas - issued statements
Wednesday saying they were
withdrawing their support.
It remains to be seen whether
the two industries can come
to the table and negotiate a
compromise.
“There are good companies, and then there are companies simply out to preserve the
Wild West, free-to-steal business model,” said Recording
Industry
Association
of
America CEO Cary Sherman.
He expects to know “within the
next few weeks” whether the
legislation can survive.
Lawmakers may have a personal incentive to keep online
piracy on the nation’s political
radar, said Fred Wertheimer,
president of Democracy 21,
a non-partisan governmentaccountability watchdog. If the
issue stays alive through the
current election cycle, it may
help bring in campaign contributions from high-tech donors
and Hollywood later this year.
The issue “becomes an
opportunity for raising more
money from these groups,”
Wertheimer said. “If you’re into
an important issue and money
is flowing in on both sides, then
both sides can up the ante.”
samoa news, Thursday, January 19, 2012 Page 7
FAASILASILAGA
E fa’atulou atu i le pa’ia ma le mamalu tele o le ’aufa’afofoga,
tulou, tulou, tulou lava. A o lenei fa’asalalauga e fa’asino tonu i le
mamalu o e o alaala i le Falelima i Sisifo o lagolagoina le itu tauva
a le Afioga a Faoa ma le Tofa a Taufete’e mo le Kovana ma le Sui
Kovana. O le a faia la tatou fa’atasiga i le Aso To’onai nei, Ianuari
21 – 10 i le taeao i le Laoa o le Tofa i le Matua o Paogofie i
Pava’ia’i. E talosagaina ai ma le fa’aaloalo le pa’ia ma le mamalu,
o e uma o fa’amoemoe ma ’ana’ana e fia ‘auai i komiti a Sisifo,
fa’amolemole maliu mai i lenei fonotaga taua.
Ma le fa’aaloalo tele lava,
Paogofie
Ta’ita’i Komiti o le Falelima i Sisifo
ANNOUNCEMENT
There will be a meeting of the Western District Committee for the
Faoa and Taufete’e campaign for Governor and Lieutenant
Governor this Saturday, January 21st, 10am at High Talking Chief
Paogofie Guest House in Pava’ia’i. All those interested in joining
and serving in any of the Western District village committees are
respectfully invited to join us.
Thank you,
Paogofie
Chairman for the Western District Campaign Committee
for Faoa and Taufete’e for Governor and Lieutenant Governor
AS-EPA SAYS:
Litter hurts. .
Do the right thing
American Samoa Government
OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)
RFQ No: RFQ 042-2012
Issuance Date: January 19, 2012
Date & Time Due: February 3, 2012
No Later than 2:00pm local time
The American Samoa Government (ASG) issues Request For Qualifications (RFQ) from qualified
firms for the:
“Island Wide Highway Lighting”
Submission:
Original and five copies of the Statement of Qualifications must be submitted in a sealed
envelope marked: “Island Wide Highway Lighting.” Submissions are to be sent to the following
address and will be received until 2:00 p.m. (local time), Friday, February 3, 2012:
Office of Procurement
American Samoa Government
Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799
attn: Ivy V. Taufa’asau, CPO
Any Statement of Qualification received after the aforementioned date and time will not be
accepted under any circumstances. Late submissions will not be opened or considered and will
be determined as being non-responsive.
Documents:
The RFQ Scope of Work outlining the qualification requirements is available at the Office of
Procurement, Tafuna, American Samoa, during normal working hours.
Review:
Request for Qualification data will be thoroughly reviewed by an appointed Source Evaluation
Board under the auspices of the Chief Procurement Officer, Office of Procurement, ASG.
Right of Rejection:
The American Samoa Government reserves the right to reject any and/or all Qualification and to
waive any irregularities and/or informalities in the submitted proposals that are not in the best
interest of the American Samoa Government or the public.
IVY V. TAUFA’ASAU
Chief Procurement Officer
Page 8
samoa news, Thursday, January 19, 2012
➧ Tales emerge from cruise ship disaster…
Continued from page 6
In this photo taken on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, and made
available Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, Francesco Schettino, right,
the captain of the luxury cruise ship Costa Concordia, which
ran aground Friday off the tiny Tuscan island of Isola del Giglio,
is taken into custody by Carabinieri in Porto Santo Stefano,
Italy. Schettino, released on Tuesday, and currently under house
arrest in his hometown of Meta di Sorrento, southern Italy, is
being investigated for possible manslaughter charges and aban(AP Photo/Giacomo Aprili)
doning the ship. Others among the missing
include 5-year-old Dayana Arlotti
and her father, William Arlotti,
who were on the cruise with the
father’s girlfriend. The girl’s parents separated three years ago.
The girl’s mother, Susy
Albertini, said she has been desperately calling police, port officials and the cruise company for
days for news of her daughter
and estranged husband.
“I last heard from her on
Thursday,” when she waved
goodbye at school, Albertini, 28, told the La Voce di
Romagna newspaper.
“The absurd thing is that no
one can tell me anything, and
what little I know is from the
newspapers,” she said. “Sometimes they ask absurd questions,
like if my daughter knows how
to swim. Do they understand
she is 5 years old? What kind of
question is that?”
William Arlotti, 36, had gone
on the cruise with his girlfriend,
Michela Marconcelli, who
survived. She reported seeing
Dayana, who was wearing a
lifejacket, slide into the water
when the boat shifted, but said
someone helped retrieve her,
the newspaper reported.
Marconcelli said she was
pushed forward onto the life
raft, and lost track of her companion and his daughter.
Other
missing
include
retirees Jerry and Barbara Heil
of White Bear Lake, Minn.
Sarah Heil, their daughter,
told WBBM radio in Chicago that her parents had been
looking forward to the 16-day
cruise after raising four kids and
sending them all off to college.
“They never had any
money,” she said. “So when
they retired, they went traveling. And this was to be a big
deal - a 16-day trip. They were
really excited about it.”
The Heil children said in
a blog post Wednesday that
their parents were not among
the passengers whose bodies
were recently recovered, and
they were praying that weather
conditions would improve so
authorities could resume search
operations.
A U.S. congressional committee announced Wednesday
that it will hold a hearing next
month on the safety implications of the Costa Concordia
accident, saying U.S. and international maritime organizations
need to ensure standards are
in place to protect passengers’
safety on cruise ships.
Passengers have complained
vocally about the chaotic evacuation and poor treatment by
Costa officials once they got
on land, with some saying they
were provided only a single
night of hotel accommodations
and denied help getting to their
embassies to get new passports.
Costa owner, Miami-based
Carnival Corp., responded
Wednesday, saying it was
offering assistance and counseling to passengers and crew
and was trying to take stock of
lost possessions. “Costa has also
begun the process of refunding
all voyage costs including both
passenger cruise fares and all
costs incurred while on board,”
Carnival said in a statement.
“Our senior management teams
are working together to determine additional support.”
Rescue operations were suspended early Wednesday after
instruments attached to the ship
detected it had shifted, raising
concerns for the safety of rescuers. By evening, officials
still did not have enough data
to assure the ship had stopped
resettling and it was unclear
when the search would resume.
Environment Minister Corrado Clini, who has warned of
an environmental catastrophe
in the waters around Giglio, a
sanctuary for marine mammals,
briefed Parliament on the effort
to extract the half-million gallons of fuel. He said the ship
risked sinking if it slips off its
rocky perch.
Schettino was questioned by
a judge for three hours Tuesday,
then ordered held under house
arrest rather than jailed - a decision that federal prosecutors
plan to challenge.
The judge, in her reasoning
released Wednesday, said Schettino didn’t represent a flight risk
since he had stayed near the ship
even after abandoning it, the
ANSA news agency reported.
Schettino’s lawyer, Bruno
Leporatti, told reporters house
arrest made sense.
“He never left the scene,” the
lawyer said. “There has never
been a danger of flight.”
Leporatti added that Schettino was upset by the accident,
contrary to depictions in the
Italian media that he did not
appear to show regret.
“He is a deeply shaken man,
not only for the loss of his ship,
which for a captain is a grave
thing, but above all for what
happened and the loss of human
life,” Leporatti said.
Criminal charges including
manslaughter and abandoning
ship are expected to be filed
by prosecutors shortly. Schettino faces a possible 12 years in
prison on the abandoning ship
charge alone.
C
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Y
K
C
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K
Toatolu Faatonu tuu
atu Kovana Fono
mo le faamaoniaina
Lali
Le
tusia Ausage Fausia
C
M
Y
K
Ua taulimaina nei e le Fono Faitulafono ni tusitusiga mai i le
kovana sili, e fa’amaonia ai lona filifilia o le tofa Lealao Soloata
Melila Purcell Jr., e avea ma Fa’atonusili o le Matagaluega o
Fa’atoaga, o Dr. Jacinta Galea’i mo le tofi Faatonusili o Aoga,
atoa ai ma Ivy Aiumu-Taufaasau mo le tofi Faatonusili o le
Matagaluega Pulea Oloa a le malo.
Na ta’ua e le afioga Togiola Tulafono i totonu o lana tusi,
agava’a o lo o umia e Lealao, tauala mai i lana tautua, e pei ona
sa galue ai i i ofisa a le malo ma kamupani tua, fa’apea ai ma le
taimi nei lea o lo o avea ai o ia ma Faufautua mo le Matagaluega
o Faatoaga e ala i le fa’atautaia o a’oa’oga ma aoga fa’a faufautua mo i latou e fia amataina ni a latou fa’ato’aga togala’au i
o latou aiga.
Na galue foi Lealao i le StarKist Samoa, Ofisa o le Soifua
Maloloina fa’apea ma le Ofisa o Aoga.
O lo o ia umia foi se fa’ailoga mai le Iunivesite o Brigham
Young ma le Iunivesite o Hawaii. Sa tautua foi i le malo tele mo
le silia i le 20 tausaga.
“Ou te tautino atu afai ae pasia le tofa ia Lealao e fai ma
faatonu o le matagaluega, o le a avea o ia ma se tasi o aseta mo
le malo aemaise ai le matagaluega,” o se vaega lea o le tusi a le
kovana i taitai o le fono.
O le suafa o Dr. Galea’i ma Ivy sa tu’uina atu muamua i le
Fono i le tausaga na tea nei, peita’i sa teena.
O Dr. Galea’i na pasia e le maota o sui, peitai na te’ena e le
Senate i le masina o Aokuso na tea nei.
O Ivy na pasia e le maota o sui i le masina o Setema, ae te’ena
e le Senate.
Talu ai e leai se tulafono a le Senate e mafai ai ona toe tu’uina
atu se suafa o tofiga a le kovana ina ia toe iloilo, na le mafai ai
ona toe iloilo suafa o fa’atonu nei e lua.
O Dr. Galea’i na tofia e avea ma faatonusili o le Ofisa o Aoga
i le masina o Iuni 2011 ina ua faamavae mai le tofi faatonu le
tamaitai foma’i ia Dr. Claire Poumele.
I se vaega o lana tusi i taitai o le fono na taua ai e Togiola e
faapea, o Dr. Galea’i ua tele tausaga o galue o se Sui Sinia mo
le Ofisa o le Kovana, e aofia ai ma le avea o ia ma faatonu o le
vaega o Fesootaiga.
O agavaa ma lona tomai i le galuega ua avea ai o ia o se tasi o
aseta mo le ofisa o aoga, pe afai ae filifilia o ia e le fono.
O le tausaga 1985 na faauu mai ai Dr. Galea’i mai le aoga
maualuga a Samoana, na ulufale atu ai loa i aoga i fafo e aofia
ai Iunivesite o Hawaii ma Uosigitone, lea e pei ona maua mai ai
ana faailoga.
(Faaauau itulau 10)
C
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samoa news, Thursday, January 19, 2012 Page 9
Molia: Sui na Taumafai e
Fasiotia Barrack Obama
saunia: Leua Aiono Frost
O le ali’i o Oscar Ortega lea ua molia nei ona
ua mautinoa lava, sa ia taumafai e fana Obama
i totonu o le Fale Pa’epa’e, peita’i, ua fa’ailoa
mai e lona aiga, ua mae’a ona latou lipotia mai
o ia lea, ua le o toe alu atu i le latou aiga.
O le masina o Novema 2011na molia ai
Oscar, ina ua ia tafanaina le Fale Pa’epa’e ma
lona mana’o ina ia fasiotia ai le ali’i peresetene
o le Malo o Amerika, Barrack Hussein Obama.
O lenei ali’i e na’o le 21 tausaga o lona
soifua, mai le setete o Idaho, e 17 moliga ua
fa’asaga nei ia te ia i le fa’amasinoga, ma e
aofia i nei moliga, le fa’aleagaina e lona sui o
le Maota sili ona maualuga i le Iunaite Setete o
Amerika, o le maota fo’i e alaalata’i ai le fa’aAo
o lea Malo atoa, o se aseta maualuga lona tau a
le malo o Amerika atoa, ae peita’i, ua ia manatu
e fa’aleagaina ma toe fasiotia ai le peresetene o
lona malo e fa’aaogaina ai se ‘au’upega malosi.
O ia lea ua foliga mai e fa’aletonu lona
mafaufau ma ua tatau ai ona ia tula’i i luma o
le fa’amasinoga, peita’i sa saisaitia mai lava o
ia ina ua ia fa’ataunu’uina nei solitulafono e
fa’asaga i le pulega a le faigamalo a le Malo
tele.
I le taimi na ta fanaina ai e Oscar le fale
pa’epa’e, sa i ai le susuga le Peresetene ma le
faletua i Kalefonia, ae le’i i ai i le maota i lea
taimi. Na saisaitia mai le ali’i o Ortega-Hernandez mai Pennsylvania ae le o Idaho i le tusa
na’o ni nai aso lava talu mai ona mae’a faia e ia
lea solitulafono i le lotoa o le Fale Pa’epa’e i le
aso 11 Novema, 2011.
Na fa’ailoa e le loia o lo’o tula’i mo Oscar
Ortega i le Associated Press, o lo’o ua fa’ailoa e
Oscar, e tete’e o ia i ona moliga uma nei pe afai ae
o’o i le taimi e tula’i ai i luma o le fa’amasinoga.
I le taimi nei, e tauau o lona fa’asalaga e o’o
lava i le olaga atoa i le falepuipui, ona o lana
mea na fai.
I lona iloiloga amata ia Tesema, na fa’atonuina
ai e le fa’amasino ina ia taofia o ia i le falepuipui
e le mafai ona tatala i tua. Ua fa’ailoa mai fo’i e le
vaega o leoleo su’esu’e i se latou fa’amaumauga
mai le fa’atalanoaina o lenei ali’i, sa fesiligia
ai se mafuaga o lo ua ia tafanaina ai le Maota
pa’epa’e o le malo, ae fa’ailoa mai e ia, “O lo’o
i ai lana misiona e ao ina faia mai le Atua, ia
osofa’ia le Maota Pa’epa’e.”
E leai lava fo’i se mea e ono fa’apea ai i
latou o lenei ali’i o se tasi o lo’o auai o se sui
o ni fa’alapotopotoga fa’aitu’au e afua i lanu
ma ituaiga o tagatanu’u. Ua mae’a fo’i ona
fa’atonuina ni su’esu’ega i le mafaufau o Ortega
pe mata o lo’o afaina lona mafaufau, e ala ai
ona fa’apea ona manatu, ina ia le taofia ai o ia
e fete’ena’i ai ma ala o le tulafono mo i latou e
vaivai o latou mafaufau.
Ina ua mae’a ona tafanaina fa’alua le Maota
Pa’epa’e, na maua e ali’i leoleo o le maota lea
ni pulufane e lua i tafatafa tonu lava o le Ofisa
Autu o le peresetene, o le itu lava lea o lo’o i
ai ma le potu moe o le afioga le Peresetene o
Amerika.
O le tasi o nei pulufana na tafanaina e
Oscar na ta’ei ai le tioata pito mai fafo o le
(Faaauau itulau 10)
Se vaaiga atu lena i nisi o malu o le malo faapea ai se tasi o alii e nofo latalata i le vaega lea na lavea ai le pasi a le Pa i Fualaga i le afiafi ananafi i Laulii, i le
taimi a’o latou vaai atu ai i le taatia mai o le pasi i lalo o le sami ina ua tuana’i le faalavelave na oso ese ai le pasi mai luga o le alatele. E lei maua mai se ripoti maumaututu mai le Ofisa o Leoleo, sei vagana ai se faamatalaga e uiga i le faaauauina pea lea o suesuega a le Ofisa o Leoleo i le mafuaaga o lenei faalavelave. [ata: AF]
samoa news, Thursday, January 19, 2012
Page 10
Fa’asalalauga
Suafa Sa TAUFI i Aunu’u
Fata ia i mauga o ao ou paia Samoa, e afua mai le Tai
Samasama o le aiga sa Tagaloalagi se ia paia
Taputapu na mapu i ai le malaga a Taema ma
Tilafaiga. Samoa o le atunu’u tofi, e le gafataulimaina
e sa matou fa’amatalaga, tulou, tulou, tulouna lava.
Ae magalo ia so matou leo e ala i lenei fa’asalalauga,
ina ia fa’amalieina ai le tulafono, o le mea lea e taalo
atu ai i le paia o aiga Sa TAUFI i Aunu’u, o le a toe
fai se isi a tatou talanoaga i le Aso 21 o Ianuari
2012 i le itula e 10:00 i le taeao i Poutalie i
Aunu’u lava. O lou le auai atu o le a le vaoia ai le
finagalo o le aiga. Ia alofa le Tama oi le Lagi ia
molio’o lo outou soifua ma si o matou ola i lea aso
ua atofaina.
Soifua,
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Fa’aaoga i le Gagana Samoa:
O lenei taumafaiga ina ia mafai ona fa’aopoopo nisi upu i le tatou gagana samoa, ina ia mafai
ona fa’afaigofie ma fa’apu’upu’u le taumafaiga e fa’aliliu mai tala fa’aperetania i le gagana samoa!
Ia fa’ao’o mai lou lagona e ala i se tusi e fa’ao’o mai i le Fa’atonu, po’o le Imeli toasavili@
yahoo.com tatou te feutaga’i ai i nei galuega lelei mo i tatou uma lava!
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Upu: JOURNAL — SIONARE. “O AU FA’AMAUMAUGA I ASO TA’ITASI!” Fa’aaoga
pea i tusitusiga le fa’asamoa o i luga, ae fa’aalia mai sou finagalo e talia gofie ai o tatou taofi.
Fa’ailoa mai, tatou feutaga’i ma le fa’aaloalo lava!
Silia 700 tagata ua talia
lalo polokalame NEG…
tusia Ausage Fausia
O se tala fiafia mo le malo aemaise ai le toatele
o tagata sa tau saili ni galuega, ina ua fa’alauiloa
e Kovana Togiola Tulafono le silia i le to’a 700,
ua talia i lalo o le polokalama fou a le NEG, po o
galuega mo le toe fa’aleleia o mea sa fa’aleagaina
i le galulolo, lea o lo o fa’aauau pea ona fa’atupe
mai e le malo tele o Amerika.
Na fa’alauiloa foi e le kovana le mafai ona
fa’atupe o galuega lautele ina ua faamatuu mai e
le Vaega o Fela’uaiga a le malo tele se vaega tupe
e $10.7 miliona, ona o talosaga sa tuuina atu i ai
ina ua tuana’i le galulolo ia Setema 2009.
O le polokalame lenei e na o le tolu masina le
umi, peitai na saunoa Togiola, o se itu lelei lea
mo le atunu’u o lo o saili galuega, e mafai ai ona
maua se isi alagatupe e fesoasoani ai i aiga.
E tusa ai ma se ripoti na tu’uina mai e se sui o le
Ofisa o le NEG e le fa’atagaina ona ia fa’amatu’u
mai fa’amatalaga faapenei na taua ai, o le Aso
Toonai na tea nei na faia ai foi le isi suega i le fale
ta’alo a le ASCC, e sailia ai galuega.
Na fautuaina e Togiola i latou uma ua talia i le
polokalama ina ia fa’aaoga tatau le avanoa ua maua,
ma ia faamaoni i le galuega. “Afai ete faamaoni i lau
galuega ua tuuina atu, e i ai le avanoa e mafai ai ona
faatumauina oe e le kamupani poo le fale faigaluega
lena ua e galue ai, ae afai ete le faamaoni, o lona
uiga e maea lava le 3 masina ma maea atu ai ma lou
avanoa,” o le lu’i lea na tuuina atu e le kovana i le
atunuu ua maua avanoa e galulue ai.
Ae mo galuega ia ua faatupe mai i lalo o le
vaega tupe fesoasoani mai le Vaega o Felauaiga,
ua faamaonia mai ai le aofai o galuega ua faamoemoe e faatinoina ai i le 26.
O lea aofaiga e aofia ai galuega e 4 ua maea
ona fausia, lea sa faaaluina ai e le malo le tupe e
$1.5 miliona, e 4 isi galuega o loo faaauau pea i le
taimi nei lea e tusa ma le $6.2 miliona le tau aofai.
E 7 isi galuega ua amata ona tapena mo le
faasalalauina atu i konekarate e tauofo atu ai, ma
galuega e 11 o loo faaauau pea ona tapena ma
fuafua ma le faamoemoe, e tatau ona amata faasalalau mo tauofoga i le faaiuga o le tausaga tupe
lenei 2012, ma amata fausia ai loa i le tausaga
tupe e 2013 ma faaauau atu ai i le 2014.
Saunoa le alii kovana, o galuega e 11 o loo faagasolo i le taimi nei le tapenaina, o galuega tetele
uma ia a le malo, ma e manaomia foi se taimi umi
e tapena ma fuafua lelei ai, ma o nisi o nei galuega
e aofia ai le faaleleia o auala, taligalu ma auvai.
O loo tele pea faasea mai le atunuu tauala atu i
le fono faitulafono faapea ai luga o le polokalame
a le alii kovana, i le tele o vaega o le alatele ua
agai atu ina matuia lona faaleagaina, ma ua fai
ma itu e faaleagaina ai taavale a nisi o le atunuu.
O le faaauau pea o faaletonu i auala ua mafua
ai ona faaaoga e nisi o afioaga ma’a e faatutumu ai
omoomo i totonu o le auala, ina ia faafaigofie ai e
taavale ona uia. O le taeao ananafi na talosagaina ai e
le afioga i le alii faipule ia Faimealelei Anthony Allen
le Fofoga Fetalai, ina ia talosagaina le Faatonusili o
Galuega a le malo e tuuina atu se ripoti mae’ae’a a
lana matagaluega i le faasologa o galuega o auala ua
oo i ai le latou faatinoga i le taimi nei.
Saunoa Faimealelei, o le taligalu o lona nuu
o Aua na folafola mai e le Faatonu e amata ona
fausia i le masina o Setema na te’a nei, peitai o
lea ua tuana’i masina e fa e lei tupu lava se mea. E
oo foi i isi galuega sa folafola e le Faatonu o le a
faia, e oo mai lava i le taimi nei e leai lava se mea.
Feso’ota’i mai i le tusitala ia
ausage@samoanews.com
➧ Fasiotia Barrack Obama…
Development Bank
of American Samoa
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LUMANA’I BUILDING IN FAGATOGO HAS AN
AVAILABLE OFFICE SPACE (UPSTAIRS)
FOR RENT/LEASE FOR A SNACK SHOP.
LUMANA’I BUILDING IS FIBER READY
FOR INTERNET USAGE.
PLEASE CONTACT KOMESINA AFALAVA AT
633-4031/770-1553 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Mai itulau 9
fa’amalamalama, peita’i o le ituaiga o toiata e pito i totonu o
le maota e le mafai ona ta’e i so’o se pulufana lea na le mafai
ona ati ai lea pulufana ma le fa’aleagaina ai se isi lava mea o le
Maota atoa.
Na lipotia mai e le auaiga o Ortega le ali’i talavou ua misi mai
le latou aiga ia Oketopa 31, 2011 a’o le’i tupu lea fa’alavelave ia
Novema 11, 2011. Na latou fa’ailoa mai, ua tau matau atu e i latou,
o lo’o nofo o ia i se vaipanoa o Uosigitone DC lea e i ai le Maota
Pa’epa’e. Na i ai se isi taimi muamua atu na molia ai Oscar i le
setete o Texas, Utah ma Idaho. I le taimi nei, o le a tula’i o ia i luma
o le fa’amasinoga ae o le a iloiloina lona i’uga e le Siuri Tofia.
➧ Toatolu Faatonu tuu atu…
Mai itulau 9
Ae mo Ivy, na taua ai e Togiola e faapea, ina ua tuumalo le
faatonusili sa i ai, sa avea ai loa Ivy ma faatonu le tumau seia oo
mai i le taimi na tofia ai o ia e avea ma faatonu.
Saunoa Togiola, e silia ma le 22 tausaga o tautua Ivy i le
Matagaluega o le Navy a le malo tele, ma o agavaa sa ia maua
mai ai ua avea lea ma fesoasoani i le faatinoina o ona tiute i le
tofiga fou ua tofia i ai o ia.
O Ivy na filifilia ina ua tu’umalo le afioga ia Tauiliili P. Tervola sa avea ma Faatonusili o le matagaluega mo le tele o tausaga.
O le isi matagaluega na te’ena e le fono tofiga a le kovana mo
le tofi faatonusili, o le Matagaluega o le Soifua Maloloina, lea e
pei ona tofia i ai le faletua ia Seiuli Elisapeta Ponausuia, lea o
loo avea pea ma faatonu le tumau i le taimi nei.
Feso’ota’i mai i le tusitala ia ausage@samoanews.com
ALOFA
FA’Avae ai Aiga
Vaega 94
“Oi, o le a le umi o le lua tafaoga lea ua ou fa’alogologo
atu i ai?” Ua tilotilo ‘ese le lo’omatua, ua toe mafaufau ifo,
ua vave lana tala i le toeaina, o lea ua maua ai si ana ova i
le va lea. E le i talanoaina e Lameko ma Tagiilima le umi o
le tafaoga, a’o lea ua fa’alogologo atu le toeaina, o le vaiaso
atoa lea ua ta’u mai nei ia te ia. Ua ‘ata le lo’omatua ma
fa’apea ane, “Meko, o le a ea le mea e te fa’apena ai. Ua fia
nei tausaga o ta mafuta, sa i ai se fa’aletonu i lo ta va. Tailo
ia te oe, aua ou te le iloa atu le feoa’i solo o ou tamatama’i
vae i aso ia e te alu ai i lau galuega, a’o le fafine lenei, o
lona loto, fatu ma le agaga atoa, ua i ou a’ao Lameko, tago
la ia e milimili ma fa’amafanafana lelei, ina ia mau ai pea i
ou a’ao, i aso o totoe o lou olaga.” Na iloa ane nei e Tagiilima le ‘ata a lona to’alua, na fa’apea ifo i lona mafuafau,
ua sao fo’i sia vaega i si toeaina.
“Va’ai oe si o’u to’alua pele, e leai lava so’u sasi ma so’u
manatu i nisi itu i le ta mafutaga. Ua moni ma fa’amaoni
lo’u alofa i a te oe Lameko, a’o le mea lea ou te va’ai atu
nei i ai, e foliga mai o a’u o se fafine leaga ma le le alofa ia
te oe. Lameko, o le fafine lenei e tumu i le alofa, ua matutua
le ta fanau, ma e leai lava se tasi e toe mana’o mai ia te a’u,
ua ou lo’omatua. Tu’u ia ou uiga na, e leai se mea lelei o le
ta aiga e maua ai, taumafai e tau fa’amatu’u ese le nonoa
lea e te nonoa ai nei a’u, ua na o lo’u tau mole ai, ua leai se
ea e manava ai, ma tu’u mai sina avanoa se i o’u alu ai ou te
tafao. Va’ai oe, ou te le o alu i se mea e fa’aalu ai ni tupe,
pe afai o le mea lena o lo’o e mafaufau i ai, e leai, o lea ou
te alu i si o’u aiga.”
Ua tau to’a mai le loto o le toeaina i lea taimi, “Tagi, e
leai, ou te le o fa’apea atu ia te oe, e sa ona e alu i lou aiga.
O lea ou te iloa, ua fia tausaga o ta nonofo i lo’u aiga, ma
fai mea uma. Ae sa tatau ona ta talatalanoa pe talafeagai le
taimi e alu ai le lua malaga ma le teine. Vaai oe, o o tatou
manatu, e le o le finagalo lea o le Atua, e le iloa lava mea e
tutupu mai, ona o’o lea o ta’ua i se tulaga faigata.”
Ua tau oso fo’i le nenefu o le ala ata lua a le lo’omatua
i lea taimi, peita’i, sa ia manatu ifo e fa’apea, afai ae
fa’afetaui e ia, o lona uiga, o le a le o’o ona alu le la malaga
i tua i si ona aiga.
“Meko, malie maia lou finagalo, se’i ma o ma Loimata i
tua, ua ou fia o’o i si o’u aiga, ua ou fia va’ai i nai o’u tuagane o lo’o nofonofo mai i le aiga. O mea fa’apenei, e maua
ai le nonofo fealofani o aiga. E i ai fo’i o’u manatu alofa i
nai o’u tuagane, e pei fo’i o oe i lou uso ma lou aiga, aisea
la e fa’apologa ai fua le mafaufau i mea e le aoga?”
Na iloa mai nei e le toeaina le maligi ifo o loimata o
le lo’omatua ma liliu ‘ese i lea taimi. Na toe faliu mai nei
Tagiilima ma ona loimata, “Lameko, fa’alogo lelei mai lava
oe, ua afu la’u tautua i lou aiga, o mea uma mea uma, ou te
punou ma le onosa’i i mea e fai o lou aiga. Po’o a tiga ma
faigata sa feagai ma a’u i le taumafaiga o mea o lou aiga, sa
ou le fa’alogologo tiga Lameko, aisea, ona o lo’u alofa ia te
oe ma mata o le ta fanau. Ae afai o le mea lea e te mana’o
ai, ia ‘aua ne i o ma o, ae a ma o fo’i ia ‘aua nei atoa se
vaiaso. Lameko, e leai lava se faigata i le tagata lenei, na
ona tapena lava o a’u mea, ma ou alu i lo’u aiga, ae tu’u oe
ma lau fanau i lou aiga.
“Lameko, e leai se faigata ia te a’u, pe afai o ou uiga
ia, o le tagata ma si ona aiga, o le tagata fo’i ma lona
fa’asinomaga, oi, o le a e mana’o lava oe na o lou aiga, lou
aiga, ae fa’afefea si o’u aiga. E leai la Lameko, ia o gatasi
le futia ma le umele, o lou aiga, ma si o’u aiga, ona tu’u
fa’atasi lea, ‘o o ta aiga’, ta te malu ai i itu e fa o le kelope,
ma le lalolagi atoa, uma.”
Na toe liliu ‘ese nei Tagiilima ma savali sa’o loa i luma
i le potu malolo lea o lo’o i ai lana fanau tama ma lo latou
tuafafine. E taunu’u ane le lo’omatua o lo’o talatalanoa ma
talie lana fanau i le malaga lea o le a alu a Loimata ma lo
latou tina. Na fa’apea le fa’aupuga a Eteuati, “Talofa e, i si
teine o Loimata, ia ‘aua lava ne i e tu fa’aletonu, aua ua e
iloa lelei lava le tulaga e o’o i ai oe, e matamata fo’i le aiga
i tua, ae soli fa’asolo atoa oe e Tina.” Ua alu nei le talie a
tama ma tilotilo ane i si o latou tuafafine fa’alogogata ma le
gutu oso, e le pau se upu, pe a le o i ai lo latou tina i le fale.
Na fa’ateia le mafutaga a le fanau ina ua o latou va’ai mai
i lolatou tina ua savali atu i totonu o le potu ma soloi ona
mata i lona solosolo. “Tina, Tina, o le a le mea ua tupu?”
Ua leai se tali a Tagiilima i lana fanau. Na saofa’i ifo nei
i luga o le nofoa i lea taimi ma ona loimata. Ua le mau tonu
mafaufau o tama, fa’apea le teine o Loimata, po’o le a le
mea ua tupu i o latou matua.
E ofo fo’i le loto ona o le vave ona liua o le fiafia i le
fa’anoanoa, sa talatalanoa nei ma talie, a’o lea ua va’ai atu
ua ‘ese le tulaga lea ua i ai nei.
samoa news, Thursday, January 19, 2012 Page 11
American Samoa Government
OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
RFP No: RFP 032-2012
Issuance Date: January 6, 2011
Date & Time Due: February 6, 2012
No Later than 2:00pm local time
The American Samoa Government (ASG) Office of Procurement intends to issue a Request
For Proposals (RFP) from qualified firms or individuals for the acquisition of a:
“Landing Craft Utility or Crew Boat for Ocean Transportation
between the Manu’a Islands (Rebid)”
Submission:
Original and five copies of the Qualifications must be submitted in a sealed envelope marked:
“LCU or Crew Boat for Manu’a Islands.” Submissions are to be sent to the following address
and will be received until 2:00 p.m. (local time), Monday, February 6, 2012:
Office of Procurement
American Samoa Government
Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799
Attn: Ivy V. Taufa’asau, CPO
Any Proposals received after the aforementioned date and time will not be accepted under
any circumstances. Late submissions will not be opened or considered and will be
determined as being non-responsive.
Documents:
The RFP Scope of Work outlining the proposal requirements is available at The Office of
Procurement, Tafuna, American Samoa, during normal working hours.
Review:
Request for Proposal data will be thoroughly reviewed by an appointed Source Evaluation
Board under the auspices of the Chief Procurement Officer, Office of Procurement, ASG.
Right of Rejection:
The American Samoa Government reserves the right to reject any and/or all proposals and to
waive any irregularities and/or informalities in the submitted proposals that are not in the
best interests of the American Samoa Government or the public.
IVY V. TAUFA’ASAU
Chief Procurement Officer
tusia Ausage Fausia
$35,000 MO LE MOTU O SWAINS
Ua i luma o le maota o sui se tulafono taufaaofi na faaulu e le faipule mai Swains, e talosagaina ai le faasoasoa atu o le tupe e $35,000 e
faaopoopo i tupe mo Fela’uaiga mo Swains.
I se vaega o lenei tulafono o loo taua ai, talu
ai le teena e le alii kovana o suiga sa faia e le
Fono i le Paketi a le malo mo le tausaga tupe
lenei 2012, ua leai ai se tupe o i ai i le taimi nei
e faatupe ai felauaiga mo le motu, ma ua faamoemoe o le tupe lea o le a toe faatupu ai le tupe ua
ave ese. Ua i ai le faamoemoega o le a tauoloa
lenei tulafono i le taimi lava e pasia ai e le fono
ma sainia e le alii kovana.
I le paketi a le malo mo le tausaga tupe 2012,
na aofia ai i totonu le $35,000 e faatupe ai felauaiga mo Swains, lea sa faamoemoe e faatupe
mai totonu o Polokalame Faapitoa a le malo,
peitai ina ua teena e le kovana se suiga sa faia e
le fono e faaopoopo ai le tupe i totonu o le vaega
tupe mo Swains, na mafua ai loa ona teena uma
lea vaega tupe.
O le komiti o le Paketi a le maota o sui ua
taoto atu i ai le iloiloina o lenei tulafono.
PILI E FAATULAI AI LE MATAGALUEGA O FAAMATALAGA
Ua i luma o le Fono se tulafono na faaulu
mai e le Ofisa o le Kovana, e talosagaina ai le
faatula’iina o se isi Matagaluega fou a le malo
ua taua o le Matagaluega o Faamatalaga.
O lea tulafono tau faaofi ua taoto atu i le
komiti o Sailiga mo Alamanuia a le maota o sui
mo le iloiloina. O le matagaluega fou e pei ona
faatulai e le alii kovana, o nisi o ana tiute tauave
e aofia ai le sainia lea o auala tau fesootaiga
mo matagaluega uma ma ofisa o le malo, ina ia
faigofie ai ona maua fesootaiga i totonu lava o
galuega a le malo.
O nisi o ia tiute e aofia ai le faatinoina lea o
fesootaiga vavalalata faaonapo nei i masini televavave, ina ia mafai ai ona faalautele le tomai
ma le malamalama o tagata faigaluega a le malo.
O le masina o Setema na tea nei na faatulai
ai e le kovana lenei matagaluega i lalo o sana
poloaiga faalauaitele, ma talu mai lea taimi, o
loo pisi le matagaluega i le faamautuina o nisi o
ana tiute tauave e aofia ai ma le tau tuu faatasia
o masini ma mea uma e faaaoga i ana galuega.
$2 MILIONA MO LE FALEMAI O LE LBJ
O le taeao nei lea ua faamoemoe e fesiligia ai
e le komiti o le Sailiga o Alamanuia o le malo a
le maota o sui, molimau mai le malo mo le tulafono tau faaofi lea ua i luma o le maota, e faasoasoa atu ai le aofai e $2 miliona e fesoasoani ai
i le falemai o le LBJ i Fagaalu.
O lenei tulafono taufaaofi ua faamoemoe e
faatupe mai i tupe tulei o le Feagaiga Osia mo
tupe maua o le Tapa’a. O lenei tulafono taufaaofi ua faamoemoe e aloaia i le taimi e pasia ai
e le fono ma sainia e le alii kovana.
O loo i luma nei foi o le komiti o le paketi a
le Senate sa latou pili tau faaofi e aiga lelei ma le
tulafono lenei, e faasoasoa atu ai le $2 miliona
mo le falemai, ma o loo fuafua e faatupe mai foi
i le alagatupe lava lea e tasi, o le Feagaiga na
osia mo le Tapa’a.
O molimau o le a fesiligia e le komiti a le
maota o sui i le taeao nei e aofia ai le Teutupe a
le malo ia Magalei Logovi’i, atoa ai ma le pule
o le Ofisa o le TOFR ia Falema’o Pili, ma o le
iloiloga ua faatulaga e faia i le itula e 8:30.
Page 12
samoa news, Thursday, January 19, 2012
➧ Talia e le fa’amasinoga…
Mai itulau 1
leina ai le ali’i leoleo, o Det. Lt. Lusila Brown.
Sa talosagaina e le tama’ita’i loia o Leslie Cardin, lea ua tula’i
mo Siaumau Jr., ia faila mo lenei mata’upu mai i le ofisa o le susuga
i le ali’i loia o Tautai Aviata Fa’alevao, ona e talu lava ona si’i gasegase atu Tautai i atunu’u i fafo, e le’i toe tatalaina lona ofisa.
Na taua e Cardin, e o’o lava foi i nisi o le aiga o le ua molia,
o lo o latou taumafai pea i se auala e mafai ai ona feso’otai i se
tasi e ono mafai ona ia tatalaina le ofisa ma aumai faila e pei
ona manaomia. Na fa’ailoa e Cardin, le i ai o se fa’amoemoega,
e fa’auluina seisi talosaga e tali tutusa ma lana talosaga lea ua
talia e le fa’amasinoga, mo le ali’i loia o Mike White, lea o lo o
la galulue fa’atasi i lenei mata’upu.
Na fa’aalia e le loia a le malo, o Mitzie J. Folau, le fa’ate’ia o
ia i se fa’aaliga a Cardin, e fa’apea, e leai se paketi a le Ofisa o
Loia Fautua, e fa’atupe ai ituaiga malaga fa’apenei.
Fai mai Folau, e o’o lava foi i le Ofisa o le Loia Sili e leai
foi sa latou tupe mo lenei mataupu, tusa lava pe o lo o i ai le
fa’amoemoe latou te auina mai ni tagata fa’apitoa mai fafo e
molimau i lenei mataupu. Fai mai Folau, e le tete’e o ia i le talosaga, peitai e le mafai e le malo ona tu’u atu ni siaki i le va o le
aso Lulu (ananafi) seia o’o i le aso Sa, ona e i ai foi aiaiga ma
taiala a le malo mo le tu’uina atu o siaki.
Sa ia taua foi le le talafeagai o le talosaga a le itu tete’e, ona
latou te le o iloa po o a uma mataupu o lo o latou fa’afeagai
i le taimi nei, sei vagana ua latou maua le faila e uiga i lenei
mataupu, peitai na finau Cardin, o loo malamalama lelei le latou
ofisa i le mataupu lenei, sa latou tulimataia mai lava i le uluai
taimi na tulai mai ai, aemaise ai foi, ua silia ma le faatasi ona la
talanoa ma le ua molia e uiga i lenei mataupu.
Na finau Folau i le le talafeagai o le talosaga atoa ai ma le
taugata tele pe a faatupe, peitai na finau le faamasinoga, e sili
atu ona taugata pe afai e auina mai tagata mai fafo e molimau i
le taimi o le mataupu. O le aso Sa nei ua faamoemoe e malaga
atu ai Cardin i Alabama mo le aoaoga e pei ona poloaina ai e le
faamasinoga le malo latou te totogiina lona pasese.
O lo o taofia pea Siaumau Jr i le toese i Tafuna i le taimi nei
e aunoa ma se tupe ua faatulaga e tatala ai o ia i tua, e faatalitali
ai le isi ana iloiloga lea o le a toe valaauina e le faamasinoga.
O le poloaiga a le faamasinoga o lo o sainia ai le afioga i le
faamasino sili lagolago ia Lyle L. Richmond ma le afioga i le
faamasino lagolago ia Faamausili Faasua Pomele.
Feso’ota’i mai i le tusitala ia ausage@samoanews.com
Amata Vasega mo le Polokalame 4 tausaga i le Kolisi
tusia Ausage Fausia
E to’alua fanau aoga ua
faamoemoe e faauu i le ogatotonu o le tausaga nei, talu
ona amata le Polokalame ta’i 4
tausaga i totonu o le Kolisi Tuufaatasi i Malaeimi, e saili ai tikeri
a fanau aoga mo soo se matata.
I se feiloaiga a le Pulega o le
Kolisi Tuufaatasi ma le Komiti
o Aoga a le Senate i le vaiaso
nei, na faamaonia ai e le pulega
a le Kolisi lea tulaga i luma o le
komiti, ina ua fesiligia e Senatoa
Fuata Iatala se tulaga ua i ai lea
polokalame.
E ui i faafitauli tau tupe lea o
loo feagai nei ma le kolisi, peitai
na faamaonia e Uta Tagoilelagi
i luma o le komiti, o loo taumafai pea le pulega a le kolisi
e saili nisi seleni faaopoopo,
ina ia mafai ai ona faatupe lenei
faamoemoe, ma o le taimi nei, ua
i ai se isi vaega tupe fesoasoani
mai le malo tele e $1.8 miliona
ua faamaonia mai e faatupe ai
lea polokalame.
O le aso 6 o Aperila o loo
fuafua e taunuu mai ai le komiti o
aoga o loo latou asia kolisi i totonu
o setete ma teritori e aofia ai ma
Amerika Samoa, mo le faamautuina o le tulaga lelei o le aoga ma
le faamoemoe, a mae’a loa le asiasiga lea, ona amata aloaia loa lea o
Polokalame tai 4 tausaga.
E lei faalauiloa mai e le
pulega a le kolisi le aofai o
tamaiti aoga ua fuafua e talia i
totonu o le uluai polokalame e 4
tausaga lea o le a tatalaina nei,
na pau le itu na mafai ona faamaonia i luma o le komiti a le
Senate, o le faanaunauga autu ua
tatalaina ai lenei polokalame, ia
maua pea e fanau aoga le avanoa
e ao tauina ai i latou i totonu lava
o le atunuu, ina ia taofia ai le tau
malaga atu i fafo e aooga ai.
E ui o lea ua faalauiloa e le
Pulega a le Kolisi la latou faamoemoe i le tatala aloaiaina lea o
le Polokalame tai 4 tausaga mo
fanau aoga, peitai ua taoto atu i
ai ma se fautuaga mai le afioga
i le alii Senatoa ia Galeai Tuufuli, ina ia silasila toto’a i a latou
taumafaiga o loo fai nei, ina ne’i
avea lo latou naunau e amata le
polokalame 4 tausaga ae emo
ane le ata e le mautu ma lelei.
“O le fautuaga i le pulega a le
kolisi, fai muamua ia mautu le
polokalame tai 2 tausaga o loo i
ai nei, ona faatoa fai ai loa lea o
le polokalame lena e 4 tausaga,
fai se mea e tasi ia mautu lelei,
aua nei outou manatu tele i le
polokalame tai 4 tausaga ae emo
ane e faaletonu, ae afai e mafai,
fai ia lelei,” o le fautuaga lea a le
afioga Galeai.
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)
RFQ No: RFQ 041-2012
Issuance Date: January 13, 2012
Date & Time Due: January 27, 2012
No Later than 2:00pm local time
The American Samoa Government (ASG) issues a Request For Qualifications (RFQ) from
qualified firms for the:
“Fitiuta Airport Security Perimeter Fence Design”
Submission:
Original and five copies of the Statement of Qualifications must be submitted in a sealed
envelope marked: “RFQ: Fitiuta Airport Security Perimeter Fence Design.” Submissions are to
be sent to the following address and will be received until 2:00 p.m. (local time), Friday,
January 27, 2012:
Office of Procurement
American Samoa Government
Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799
attn: Ivy V. Taufa’asau, CPO
Any Statement of Qualification received after the aforementioned date and time will not be
accepted under any circumstances. Late submissions will not be opened or considered and will
be determined as being non-responsive.
Documents:
The RFQ document outlining the qualification requirements is available at The Office of
Procurement, Tafuna, American Samoa, during normal working hours.
Review:
Request for Qualification data will be thoroughly reviewed by an appointed Source Evaluation
Board under the auspices of the Chief Procurement Officer, Office of Procurement, ASG.
Right of Rejection:
The American Samoa Government reserves the right to reject any and/or all Statements of
Qualification and to waive any irregularities and/or informalities in the submitted qualifications
that are not in the best interests of the American Samoa Government or the public.
IVY V. TAUFA’ASAU
Chief Procurement Officer
Feso’ota’i mai i le tusitala ia
ausage@samoanews.com
Te’ena ona Moliga fasiotia faia’oga NZ
saunia: Leua Aiono Frost
American Samoa Government
OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT
O le fuafuaga mo le amataina
o le polokalame tai 4 tausaga i le
kolisi tuufaatasi, e le o se fuafuaga na faatoa alia’e mai i le
tausaga nei, ae o se fuafuaga ua
leva ona faataoto mai e le kolisi,
lea foi na saunoa i ai kovana
Togiola Tulafono i se tasi o ana
polokalame i faaiuga o vaiaso.
O le mafuaaga autu ua faatulai ai lea polokalame e pei ona
saunoa Togiola, ia mafai ai e
fanau e le o maua le avanoa e
ulufale atu ai i kolisi ma aoga
i fafo ona maua le avanoa e
a’otauina ai i mataupu ia e ta’i 4
tausaga e ave ai.
Sa ia taua, o nisi o aiga e le
gafatia le itu tau tupe e auina
atu ai fanau i fafo mo aoaoga,
ma o le isi lea auala o loo taumafai malosi ai le malo, ina ia
mautinoa e maua uma e fanau
aoga avanoa nei e aoaoina ai.
Saunoa le alii kovana, o le
faanaunauga autu o le malo, ia
mafai ona siitia i luga le tulaga o
aoaoga ma ia a’o tauina alo ma
fanau a le atunuu ia atamamai,
aua o i latou ia o le lumanai o le
atunuu i le lumanai.
O se ali’i lanu mai Amerika, ua molia o ia i le fa’amasinoga i
le a’ai o Seattle, Uosigitone, ona ua masalomia ua ia fasiotia lona
to’alua, o se tama’ita’i faia’oga mai Niu Sila, peita’i ua te’ena e ia
ona moliga na. O le tama’ita’i o Prudence Hockley, 55 ona tausaga,
na maliu i le aso Kerisimasi tonu lava, ina ua mae’a fasia o ia e
lana uo tama, Johnnie lee Wiggins, o se tasi sa mua’i ‘avea fo’i ma
pagota ma e tele ona moliga i lona fa’aaogaina o vaila’au o’ona ma
e fa’asaina, e tele o taimi e molia ai i le fa’amisa ma le tele o isi
moliga sa ia faia o sauaga fa’aleituaiga.
O lenei tama’ita’i Niu Sila mai Nelson sa a’oa’oina i Canterbury
University, na ulufale i Seattle, Uosigitone i le tausaga e 1978. Na
fa’ailoa mai e leoleo, na tu’ua e ia lona fale i le itula e 11:00 i le po e
talanoa ma lana uo, peita’i, na fa’alogoina e lana tama le ta’avale ua alu
‘ese atu mai lo latou lumafale, ae oso atu lana tama e 13 tausaga i fafo
ua ta’atia mai lona tina ua matapogia. E i ai ni isi sa latou fa’alogoina se
pa’o, va’aia se tamaloa ua savali ‘ese atu mai lumafale o lea tama’ita’i,
oso i lana ta’avale ma alu ‘ese atu loa. Oso atu i fafo le tama teine a lea
tina mai Niu Sila ua ta’atia mai lona tina ua matapogia.
Na maliu lava lea tina i le falema’i i le aso Kerisimasi, ona ua
tauga tele le lavea i lona ulu. O le ali’i o Wiggins e 48 ona tausaga,
ua ia te’ena moliga nei e fa’asaga ia te ia i le fa’amasinoga i King
County e pei ona fa’asalalauina mai i le Channel King 5 a lea setete.
Ua fa’aalia e loia o lo o tula’i mo lea tina, o le a sa’ilia e i latou
se fa’ai’uga lelei mai le fa’amasinoga e tusa o lenei ali’i, ina ia
mautinoa ua lava le taimi e fa’afalepuipuia ai o ia, aua ua ia fasiotia
le tina o lenei teineitiiti i luma lava o ona mata. E le o se mea
faigofie i lenei teineitiiti ona va’ai atu o fa’atauga mai fa’apenei
lona tina i ona luma. Ua toe pa nei le aiaiga o le palola a lenei ali’i
i Georgia, aua o lo o nofo nei i Uosigitone, ae o lo o leiloa e Ofisa
lea po o fea o aga’i i ai le ali’i fa’ao’osala.
O le taimi nei, ua fa’atulaga le tupe e totogia e tatala mai ai i
tua i le $5miliona, ae ua fa’anofo ai pea i le to’ese mo le taimi atoa
a’o faia sa’iliga ma su’esu’ega a leoleo i ana solitulafono nei ua toe
molia ai fo’i. O se tala mai le aiga moni o lenei tama’ita’i faia’oga
mai Niu Sila, ua latou fa’ailoa mai ai, “O le oti fa’afuase’i o Prue, o
se mea ua fa’ava’atu’ia ai o matou loto uma i lenei vaitaimi fiafia i
le lalolagi. Ua misia lenei tagata alofa o si matou aiga. O le tama o
Prue sa vala’au mai i Ausetalia ma fa’ailoa i lo latou aiga atoa i Niu
Sila le mea ua tupu i lona afafine i Seattle, Amerika.”
Ua fa’ailoa mai, na muamua vala’au mai le tama, ma fa’ailoa, o
lo o ua fasia Prue i Seattle, peita’i e tasi le itula na soso’o ai, ae toe
vala’au mai ua maliu o ia i le falema’i. “E matua le faigofie lava
ona talia nei ituaiga tala pe a o’o mai i se aiga, ae maise lava i taimi
o lo o feso’ota’i agaga o tagata uma i vaitaimi e fetufa’iga o aiga, e
fa’amanuia atu le tasi i le isi.”
Wars lessons are being
applied to ease combat
stress among veterans
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (AP) -- When
the Marine unit that suffered the greatest casualties in the 10-year Afghan war returned
home last spring, they didn’t rush back to their
everyday lives.
Instead, the Marine Corps put them into a
kind of decompression chamber, keeping them
at Camp Pendleton for 90 days with the hope
that a slow re-entry into mundane daily life
would ease their trauma.
The program was just one of many that the
military created as it tries to address the emotional toll of war, a focus that is getting renewed
attention as veterans struggling to adjust back
home are accused of violent crimes, including
murder.
While veterans are no more likely to commit
such crimes than the general population, the
latest cases have sparked a debate over whether
they are isolated cases or a worrying reminder
of what can happen when service members
don’t get the help they need.
“This is a big focus of all the services, that
we take care of our warriors who are returning
because they have taken such good care of us,”
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said, pointing out
that tens of thousands of veterans return home
to lead productive lives.
Some, however, fall on hard times, getting
into trouble with the law. Others quietly suffer,
with their families and friends trying to pull
them out of a depression.
In the latest high-profile criminal case
involving an Iraq war veteran, a former Camp
Pendleton Marine is accused of killing four
homeless men in California. His family said
he was never the same after his 2008 deployment. In Washington state, an Iraq War veteran
described as struggling emotionally killed a
Mount Rainier National Park ranger and later
died trying to escape.
Suffering from combat stress is an ageold problem. What’s new is the kind of wars
that troops fight now. They produce their
own unique pressures, said psychologist Eric
Zillmer, a Drexel University professor and coeditor of the book “Military Psychology: Clinical and Operational Applications.”
The war on terror “is very ambiguous, with
no front lines, where you can’t tell who the
enemy is. During the day, he may be a community leader and, at night, a guerrilla fighter.
You never know when an assault takes place.
It’s very complicated, and people feel always
on edge,” he said.
Add to that, multiple deployments that tax
the central nervous system, said Zillmer: “The
human brain can only stay in danger mode for
so long before it feels like it’s lost it. It gets
exhausted.” He compared going into combat
like “diving to the depths of the ocean and when
you have to go back to the surface you have to
decompress.
“It’s the same process,” he said. “It’s almost
a biological process.”
A 2009 Army report concluded that the
psychological trauma of fierce combat in Iraq
might have helped drive soldiers from one brigade to kill as many as 11 people in Colorado
and other states. The study found the soldiers
also faced “significant disruptions in familysocial support.”
The military’s stubbornly high suicide rate
has proven that more help is needed, and that
is why it has been investing in helping troops
transition back from war zones.
Few units know war’s pain more than the
3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. The Camp
Pendleton battalion nicknamed “The Dark
Horse” lost 25 members in some of the heaviest
fighting ever seen in Afghanistan. More than
150 Marines were wounded. More than a dozen
lost limbs.
The Marine Corps brass, concerned about
the traumatic deployment’s fallout, ordered
the entire 950-member unit to remain on the
Southern California base after it returned home.
The 90 days was the same amount of time crews
aboard war ships usually spend upon returning
home.
During that time, the Marines participated
in a memorial service for their fallen comrades.
They held barbecues and banquets, where they
talked about their time at war. Before the program, troops would go their separate ways with
many finding they had no one to talk to about
what they had just seen.
Mental health professionals are monitoring
the group, which has since scattered. They
say it is too early to tell what kind of impact
keeping them together made. Combat veterans
believe it likely will help in the long run. The
Marines have ordered combat units since then
to stick together for 90 days after leaving the
battlefield.
“They share a commonality because they’ve
gone through the same thing, so it helps them
to come down,” said Maj. Gen. Ronald Bailey,
the commanding general of one of Camp
Pendleton’s most storied units, the 1st Marine
Division.
“I can tell you from experience that this
will help,” said Bailey, who served in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
The new practice is one of a slew of initiatives ushered in by the new commandant, Gen.
James Amos, who has made addressing mental
health issues of Marines a top priority. He was
concerned by the branch’s suicide rate, which
has ranked among the highest of the armed
services.
Commanders have tried to remove the
stigma that seeking help is a sign of weakness.
The Marines have set up hotlines and designated psychologists, chaplains and junior troops
to identify troubled troops. “We’ve been in this
11 years and the medical staff and Marine officials are better educated now on dealing with
combat stress,” Bailey said.
All service members also now undergo rigorous screening of their mental stability both
before and after they go to battle.
While Veterans Affairs and Department of
Justice have said veterans don’t commit more
crimes per capita than others, the VA has
launched efforts to help veterans in trouble with
the law receive help rather than just be locked
up.
Since 2009, the VA has had a legal team
review cases to see if the best remedy is treatment instead of incarceration. States also have
been establishing special veterans courts to
do the same. Some say combat stress is also
being used by criminals trying to get a lighter
sentence.
Veterans agree the military has made great
strides in the past few years but they say the
help has come too late for many.
Paul Sullivan, executive director of the
Washington, D.C.-based National Organization
of Veterans’ Advocates, said the military only
started administering medical exams of service
members before and after deployments to Iraq
and Afghanistan in 2007 to identify problems
early so they can be treated more effectively
and less expensively.
“It’s good their implementing it now, yes,
however, what’s the military going to do with
all of the veterans the military didn’t examine?”
he asked. “That’s the problem.”
samoa news, Thursday, January 19, 2012 Page 13
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samoa news, Thursday, January 19, 2012
ASOA and NEG work together to survey senior needs
By Jeff Hayer
Samoa News Reporter
The non-profit group, the American Samoa Organization on Aging (ASOA) is at this time conducting
a comprehensive survey of seniors on island (60 years
and older) that started this past Tuesday, in an attempt
to be able to better serve their needs, according to
ASOA Secretary/Treasurer Marilyn AhChing.
“ASOA has workers from the National Emergency Grant who will be conducting a survey in the
bay area, from Aua to Faga’alu during the next three
months, so people in that area can be expecting to see
the ASOA surveyors in the upcoming weeks,” said
AhChing. “There have been partial surveys done, but
no one knows exactly how many seniors there are and
what their needs are,” she said.
AhChing would also like the public to know that
the ASOA is in the process of having a basic sewing
class, thanks to the USDA at Land Grant and those
who are planning to participate are very excited about
learning to make their own clothes.
“ASOA has also changed its second meeting of
the month, held on the fourth Tuesday, from 11:30
a.m. to 6:00 p.m., to accommodate those who work
and others who are unable to attend during the day.
The meeting held on the second Tuesday at 11:30
a.m. will continue at that time,” said AhChing. For
more information on the survey or the ASOA group,
you can contact AhChing at 699-1131, 770-4432 or
699-4432.
When the organization first formed in 2009, they
were meeting at the AP Lutali Senior Center in Pago
Pago and some of the activities planned by the group
included diverse education and training sessions
for the seniors, with interests as varied as electrical
wiring, health and fitness programs, cultural and
inter-generational initiatives involving seniors and
their grandchildren, along with agricultural projects
and classes to teach computer skills.
One of their more recent activities at their current
office, which is located on Tasi Street, across from
the Lyons Park in the Tafuna Housing area, was
when they held a Senior Mentoring Youth Program
last summer for the children ages 7-12, where children were taught about the Fa’a Samoa, the Samoan
language, Samoan siva, mat weaving and ukulele
playing.
The children of the Summer Youth Program were
taught by the seniors of ASOA and other volunteers.
At the time of the Summer Youth Program, ASOA
Chairman Mike Hemphill told Samoa News that the
territory’s senior citizens “have so much to teach us.”
Reach the reporter at jeff@samoanews.com
➧ Paul Solofa trial now underway in DC…
➧ Death penalty case…
DEFENSE MOTION
Late last week, the Solofa’s defense filed an
opposition to federal prosecutor’s motion to
admit — at Solofa’s trial — additional evidence
of another alleged bribery scheme between Solofa
and Nauer which involved overtime paychecks.
The defense is also opposed to Solofa’s alleged
confession to federal agents about being involved
in a conflict of interest on an unrelated contract to
provide food for the school lunch program. It was
also when Solofa was head of the DOE business
office that prosecutors allege that the overtime
payment scheme occurred with Nauer as well
as the awarding of the school lunch contract to a
vendor, whose silent partner was Solofa.
Defense argued in its motion that Solofa is
not charged with accepting bribes or theft of
federal program money. However, the indictment includes as “background” allegations that
Solofa and others conspired to purchase parts
for school buses that were never delivered and
that Solofa and others received kickbacks “in
the form of cash payments and free or discounted automotive repairs and other goods and
services” between 2002 and 2007.
Solofa’s defense team argued that this is the
only evidence the court has already decided
can be used for the obstruction charge. “The
evidence of the other alleged bribery scheme
involving overtime pay is at best evidence that
he has engaged in conduct similar to the conduct that is alleged to be the motive here,” the
defense argues. “That is not probative of anything the government must prove.”
Cardin told the court that her co-counsel in this matter,
Assistant Public Defender Michael White is also qualified to
handle death penalty cases, but he also needs re-certification.
She added that a similar motion will be filed to make funds
available for White to travel off-island to be re-certified to
handle this death penalty case.
According to ABA guidelines there must be a minimum of
two attorneys assigned to cases calling for capital punishment
(i.e. the death penalty).
Cardin told the Judges “there is no money in the Public
Defender’s budget available for off-island training” and she
could not point out a source of funding, but asked the court to
direct the Treasury to make funds available.
She added that the annual training is scheduled for January
27/28 at the Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
in Birmingham, Alabama. “These re-certification trainings are
not offered every time and certification is needed... to carry out
this death penalty case”, said Cardin.
Deputy Attorney General Mitzie Jessop Folau responded in
court saying that she is a little surprised the Public Defender’s
office does not have a budget for off-island training.
“ASG in general does not have money”, the Deputy AG
added.
She said that there could be re-certification training available
in Hawaii or California with cheaper airfares. “ASG does not
have the money, even we have to bring in experts specifically
for this case” she said.
Jessop Folau then told the Judges that she has nothing against
it, however the government cannot issue checks between today
(Wednesday) and Sunday, as there are procedures they have to
go through in order to get a check processed.
She also said, “Given that defense does not have the file, it’s
premature; they do not know what issues they are facing until
they get the file”.
However, Cardin explained she is aware of the issues in this
matter since “this case has been on the Public Defender’s radar
in case it would be returned to our office, and I have discussed
the case with the defendant more than once”.
Jessop-Folau told the court that it would be expensive and
premature.
Richmond did not agree with the government and said it
would be more expensive if off-island experts must be flown
down to the territory for this matter. He added that what’s
important is that the defense lawyer is certified to carry out this
death penalty case.
Outside the court house, Cardin said this is the first step in
a long process for death penalty cases. “This will enable us to
move forward with this case” she noted.
Speaking with Samoa News, Cardin said “the defendant’s
family is insisting they will again attain a private attorney...
and if so, the Public Defender’s office will certainly cooperate
and turn in any files or paperwork that is necessary, but in the
meantime, getting a re-certification is required to move the case
forward”.
According to the defense lawyer, she and White have previously worked on death penalty cases in Georgia.
Cardin is scheduled to travel this Sunday to attend the two
day re-certification training in Alabama.
Attorneys must be certified to handle death penalty cases,
in order to mount a proper and adequate defense under ABA
guidelines, she reiterated.
The local bar association is a full member of the American
Bar Association, and in the absence of local provision for handling death penalty cases, Cardin said, “we look to the ABA for
guidance.”
Those guidelines have been cited with approval by the
United States Supreme Court for death penalty cases.
Continued from page 1
Additionally, the “government suggests that
it is admissible because it provides details on the
genesis and operation of the bribery scheme.”
“However, the bribery scheme is not what
is charged in this indictment. The evidence that
Mr. Nauer and Mr. Solofa were engaged in a
separate bribery scheme from that which forms
the motive in this case is irrelevant,” the defense
contends. Notably, unlike Oscar Mayer, whose
testimony will be about the charges in this
case — obstruction and witness tampering —
nothing Nauer testifies about will address those
charges, according to the defense.
“Thus the notion that this evidence should
be admitted because it will not unduly prolong
Mr. Nauer’s testimony is a red herring,” said
Solofa’s attorneys.
“To add evidence of two additional
uncharged crimes will unnecessarily complicate
the trial, is likely to confuse the jury, and raises
the very likely scenario that the jury simply says
because Mr. Solofa has engaged in numerous
questionable activities, he likely committed the
crime,” they argued.
They also pointed out that there is no allegation
that Mr. Solofa attempted to obstruct an investigation into the alleged overtime scheme. Nor is
there any evidence that Mr. Solofa attempted
to obstruct an investigation into the conflict of
interest matter. In fact, the defense counsel is
“aware of no investigation ever being conducted
of either of those matters,” the motion says.
Reach the reporter at fili@samoanews.com
Continued from page 1
Reach the reporter at news.newsroom@samoatelco.com
samoa news, Thursday, January 19, 2012 Page 15
NUUULI PLACE CINEMAS
699-3456
$5.25 - Bargain Matinees All Shows Before 6pm
$5.25 - Senior Admissions All Day
$4.25 - All Day For Kids
$6.75 - Adults
Discount Tuesdays
$5.25 - ADMISSION ALL DAY TUESDAY
Excludes Holidays
A well known local food vendor, who is from Mexico, and sees plenty of people line up to
purchase his authentic Mexican dishes every Friday night, which especially included the First
Friday’s International Food Night at the Fagatogo Market place, has left the territory, due to
unforeseen circumstances; and wishes to thank everyone from the different communities who
came into his life while he was here.
Through the present, “Mexican Food” as he calls himself, wishes to express “his gratitude to
the country of American Samoa, private and government sectors as well as the Chinese, Filipino,
Fijian, Samoan, and Tongan communities for all of their support and patience.
“Thank you Moli and Dan, and market administrators who gave us the opportunity to offer a
different option to American Samoa,” said “Mexican Food” to Samoa News.
Some of the authentic Mexican dishes that he served up while he was here included: chicken
tamales, burritos, tostadas with chicken salad, flauta chapina, chicken tacos, ceviche and crazy
[photo: Jeff Hayner]
corn.
Child charged with murder
in San Diego-area death
EL CAJON, Calif. (AP) — A child was
charged with murder and felony assault in the
fatal stabbing of a 12-year-old boy, authorities
said Wednesday.
San Diego County district attorney’s office
spokesman Steve Walker declined to say if
the defendant was the victim’s 10-year-old
neighbor who was taken into custody shortly
after the stabbing. The neighbor is the only
person who has been identified by homicide
investigators as a suspect.
A detention hearing was scheduled for
Thursday in juvenile court.
The 12-year-old died Monday, a little
more than an hour after he was stabbed in the
10-year-old’s driveway in a quiet, kid-friendly
neighborhood in El Cajon, east of San Diego.
The victim slept at the boy’s home for two
nights before he was attacked at the end of the
holiday weekend, said Cody Vales, a close
friend of both boys. He said they were “like
best buddies.”
Vales, 16, said the 10-year-old appeared
calmer since he began taking a new medication
about three weeks ago, becoming “a new kid.”
He said the younger boy wasn’t one to pick a
fight but exploded when he felt provoked.
Vales said the boy once punched him in the
face for accidentally bumping his pelvis when
they were jumping on a trampoline.
The boy threw a tantrum when he spilled a
cup of water inside his house and was asked to
clean up.
“If you pushed his buttons and cussed him
out, he’d just lose it on you,” Vales said.
The 10-year-old liked to play football and
practice Muay Thai boxing and jujitsu, Vales
said. He was muscular and a little short for his
age.
The 10-year-old’s adoptive mother, who
lived with the boy and her father, was the only
person who knew how to calm him, Vales said.
She hugged him and reassured him that everything would be all right.
“The nicest woman you’d ever meet,” Vales
said. “If it was anybody else, they wouldn’t be
able to put up with (him).”
The victim’s mother told U-T San Diego
that she knew the 10-year-old and his mother
well.
“Please don’t make it out that he was this
terrible human being,” Lisa Carter told the
newspaper. “He’s not some monster.”
The neighborhood in San Diego’s foothills
is one of modest, aging one-story homes on
narrow, winding roads.
The two boys played often with others at a
playground clubhouse in the mobile home park
where the victim lived. They sometimes pretended to be pirates.
It is unusual for children so young to kill.
Law enforcement agencies reported 11 homicides nationwide by children 12 and younger in
2010 — the same number as in 2009 and 2008,
according to FBI data.
James Alan Fox, a professor of criminology,
law and public policy at Northeastern University in Boston, said that 1976 through 2010,
242 homicides were committed in the United
States by children 10 and younger, according
to his analysis of FBI statistics.
Of those, 48 percent of victims were family,
20 percent were acquaintances and 8 percent
were friends.
Fox said there are typically no telltale signs
to predict such acts of violence.
“Overwhelmingly the most common element is just an argument,” he said. “It’s the
same motivation why kids fight.”
California requires that children be at least
14 to be charged as adults, said Shaun Martin,
a University of San Diego law professor.
State law allows children to be detained until
they turn 25 if tried and convicted as juveniles.
CONTRABAND - Rated 5
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Kate Beckinsale, Ben Foster, Giovanni Ribisi
Chris Farraday long ago abandoned his life of crime, but after his brother-inlaw, Andy, botches a drug deal for his ruthless boss, Tim Briggs, Chris is
forced back into doing what he does best -- running contraband -- to settle
Andy’s debt. Chris is a legendary smuggler and quickly assembles a crew with
the help of his best friend. Things quickly fall apart and with only hours to
reach the cash, Chris must use his rusty skills to successfully navigate a
treacherous criminal network of brutal drug lords, cops and hit men before
his wife, Kate, and sons become their target.
Friday:
Saturday & Sunday:
Monday:
“Discount Tuesday”:
Wed - Thurs:
— — 4:15
— 1:15 4:15
— 1:15 —
— — 4:15
— — 4:15
7:15
7:15
7:15
7:15
7:15
9:45
9:45
9:45
9:45
—
JOYFUL NOISE Rated - PG-13
Starring: Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton, Keke Palmer, Courtney B. Vance
“Joyful Noise” is the story of a small town choir out to win a national
competition despite overwhelming odds. A story of faith and determination by
the choir leaders (Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton) and the young talent who
give their all to win God’s praise and beat the competition for the grand prize.
Friday:
Saturday & Sunday:
Monday:
“Discount Tuesday”:
Wed - Thurs:
— — 4:00 7:00 9:45
— 1:00 4:00 7:00 9:45
— 1:00 4:00 7:00 —
— — 4:00 7:00 9:45
— — 4:00 7:00 —
NOTES
Discount Tuesdays, all tickets are $5.25 for all shows.
Movies and Times are Subject to change without notice.
Call 699-3456/699-9225 for additional movie information.
Gift Certificates make the perfect gift and are available at our
Box Office!
Page 16
samoa news, Thursday, January 19, 2012
C
M
Y
K
C
M
Y
K
Come and Meet
the Candidates
LOLO and LEMANU
For Governor & Lt. Governor
Campaign Headquarters Opening
Saturday, January 21, 2012
9:00am - 12:00pm
Matu’u Village
Savea’s Guest House
We look forward to seeing you there!
facebook.com/loloandlemanu
Paid for by the Committee to elect Lolo and Lemanu for Governor and Lt. Governor