Gov Lemanu continues organizing govt agencies and filling boards

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In recently issued separate memorandums, Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga reconstituted the Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Board with new members, and appointed new board members to the American Samoa Board of Cosmetology.

The newly appointed members of both government boards are not subject to Fono confirmation.

ABC BOARD

According to local law, the governor appoints the seven-member ABC board whose duties and responsibilities include “to issue, renew, refuse, modify, suspend or revoke all licenses” for liquor vendors.

The governor, in a Mar. 8th memo announced that pursuant to local law, the ABC board is reconstituted with seven new members and designated their terms in office. 

The new members serving for two-year terms are Lale Kapisi Gaopo’a, Trude Ledoux-Sunia, Falefata Moli Lemana, and Amy Lefaga Seui. Members serving one-year term are Fili Uta, Sualevai Nofoaiga Sualevai and Soli Aoelua.

The governor said that the administrator for this board will be Faafeu Guthrie and staff support will be provided by the Commerce Department. Additionally, the board is responsible for carrying out the duties and responsibilities set forth in local law A.S.C.A 27.0502.

COSMETOLOGY BOARD

Local law calls for a five-member board appointed by the governor for staggered, 3 year terms. At least 2 members must be operators licensed to practice in the Territory. The board elects a chairman from its members.

The new board members, replacing those whose terms have all expired, are Faamumu Elizabeth Tanielu, Sophia Aulava, Cherish Young, Gloria Poasa-Avalos and Helen Young — whose term is for two-years while the other four members serve for 3 years each.

According to local law, the board determines the sufficiency of the preliminary qualifications of applicants for licensure. It also outlines specific qualifications. Details of the law — A.S.C.A 31.1502.1 — can be found on the American Samoa Bar Association website (www.asbar.org).

WCC CHANGES

The governor, in a Mar. 8th memo to cabinet members, announced that the Workmen’s Compensation Commission is removed from the Human Resources Department and the Commission will be attached to the Governor’s Office for administrative purposes only.

The effective date of this action was also on Mar. 8th, which is the same date that the governor — in a separate memo — appointed Silia Time as the “fiscal member” of the Commission, filing the position left vacant following the resignation of Don Faai’uaso.