Senators request 'master plan' from Arts Fest organizers
by Fili Sagapolutele
Samoa News Correspondent
Senators want the Organizing Committee of 10th Pacific Arts Festival to provide a "master plan" for the event to be presented at next week's Wednesday Senate Government Operations Committee hearing.
This was the decision voiced by the Sen. Fiatauiaulava I. Sauni, chair of the government operations committee, during yesterday's session after a committee hearing earlier in the day where only Festival Office executive director Lauti Simona was present to testify.
Lauti explained that due to a miscommunication three other members of the organizing committee were not in attendance, because they thought the hearing was Monday, when in fact it is the House hearing that is scheduled for that day.
The organizing committee issued a statement late yesterday afternoon explaining the missed Senate hearing by most of the committee members as a miscommunication of schedules.
"We were looking forward to appearing before the Fono to present an update on the preparations for the festival and provide them with any information they require," said co-chair Fagafaga Daniel Langkilde.
He went on to say, "We regret the miscommunication, and we hope to reschedule a hearing with the senate very soon. The Festival Committee is very happy to answer any questions the senate may have on the festival preparations, and we hope for another opportunity to meet with them."
Lauti was able to provide some information on the latest developments in the festival set for July 20-Aug. 2.
He said fund raising activities are ongoing, including recent fund raising trips made off-island by himself with committee member Paogofie Fiaigoa and the organizing committee's marketing officer Teri Hunkin.
Lauti noted last week's $50,000 contribution from Bank of Hawaii, which is the first major corporate sponsor donation, and the $2,000 they received from the Samoan Federation organization in Carson, Calif.
Lauti talked about the accommodation centers, the main venues and the upgrades to be done to these facilities. Lauti said documents have been signed for $30,000 to start making necessary repairs and upgrades to the Veterans Memorial Stadium, the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies. Lauti estimates this project will cost about $200,000.
Lauti fielded a few questions from senators, who are uneasy with the way festival planning stands, the lack of ASG and island-wide involvement and the spending of festival money for infrastructure improvement.
Sen. Alo Dr. Paul Stevenson said there is nothing on paper regarding the festival planning and implementation which includes the accommodations, transportation and how all villages are to lend a hand to help the organizing committee.
He said it appears a lot of money is going to upgrade infrastructure such as the money for the stadium, and questioned where the government stands in this, since it is the government that is responsible for upgrades to the stadium.
Alo told Lauti that the committee cannot do all of this without assistance from ASG and village participation. Lauti said there is a plan and program in place but other members of the committee who weren't present have it.
Sen. Tuaolo M. Fruean agreed with Alo, saying that this is a huge event for American Samoa and everyone should be involved and there is a lack of local participants from villages. He also agreed with Alo about money already spent on infrastructure and the additional money for other construction being proposed by the committee.
Senators also raised the issue of getting villages moving with clean ups territory-wide.
As Lauti started to explain further about the subcommittee to assist with the festival planning, Sen. Tulifua Tini Lam Yuen, quickly called for a postponement of the hearing and for the organizing committee to return at the next hearing with the complete "master plan" for the entire festival.
Tulifua said the plan should outline everything from budget, to expenditures, accommodations, venues and other projects. "Lay out the entire plan," said Tulifua.
The Senate also requested a breakdown on spending of the $2.5 million the festival received from the $20 million ASG loan from the Retirement Fund.
Sen. Tuiagamoa Tavai said all of the funds allocated for the festival should be closely monitored when it comes to spending and he suggested that the ASG Treasurer oversee a special account for the festival.
During yesterday's session Tuaolo asked Lolo for the Legislative Financial Office to find out the financial situation of the festival and where the money received is deposited. He said when it comes to money, people tend to spend it easily.
Tuaolo said money spent by the committee on their off-island travel could have been used for other important purposes.
It should be noted that the organizing committee has kept its preparation plans open to public dialogue through various means: It has met twice with the Chamber of Commerce to discuss the festival, it has started airing programs on the local television stations about current preparations for the festival, committee members have been on the local radio stations talking about the festival, and newspaper coverage of festival preparations has been frequent.
Reach the reporter at fili@samoanews.com
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