In two separate general memorandums, both dated Dec. 22, 2009, Gov. Togiola Tulafono changed the approval process for documents related to hiring and travel. The changes went into effect as of Jan. 1, 2010.

According to the Governor, hiring documents— including, but not limited to— Human Resources form 35, will no longer be reviewed by the Governor’s Office. He said Human Resources director Evelyn Vaitautolu Langford will have final review and final approval of all hiring documents.

He said nothing in his directive shall change any policies currently in force regarding the ASG hiring process, adding that all current policies shall continue until changed by the Governor’s Office or Langford.

As for travel, Togiola said travel authorizations will no longer be reviewed by the governor’s office, adding that the ASG Treasurer will have that final review and final approval.

He also noted that nothing in this directive shall change any policies currently in force regarding the processing of travel authorizations, with all current policies continued until changed by the governor’s office or by the Treasurer.

TAX FILING 2010

The Treasury Department’s Tax Office has been preparing for the new tax season since early last month with the tax forms expected to be in place sometime this week.

Tax Office manager Melvin Joseph told Samoa News that his staff is preparing for tax filing this month and the tax forms were sent to the ASG Print Shop more than a month ago. They should be ready, hopefully, by this week.

He said the computer system is undergoing testing and the off-island contractor “tells us that everything is in place, but I want to be absolutely certain that they are— so we are still doing testing.”

“As always, we ask for the public’s cooperation during the filing season as the Tax Office staff works to assist members of our community,” Joseph said last week. He said additional information will be announced soon about tax filing.

It was not immediately clear as to when the W-2 forms for ASG and cannery workers are expected to be released. Employers are required by law to release W-2 forms by Jan. 31 and the canneries as well as ASG usually release theirs within the first two weeks of January.

MUSEUM BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Gov. Togiola Tulafono, in a Dec. 22, 2009 general memorandum, appointed five members of the Museum Board of Trustees, with board member First Lady Mary Ann T. Tulafono as chairperson.

Other members are Secretary of Samoan Affairs Tufele Li’amatua, Arts Council executive director Leala Pili, Epifania Suafo’a of the National Park Service of American Samoa and David Herdrich, head of the Office of Historic Preservation.

According to the memorandum each member serves a one year term— in accordance with local statute— and the members shall continue to serve until their successors are duly qualified and appointed by the governor.

Togiola said he is confident in the abilities of these individuals to carry out the statutory duties of the board.

Local law states that the Museum of American Samoa is managed by a 5-member board of trustee and each member serves one-year in office. The members are appointed by the governor, who also selects the chairperson from among the trustees. Museum board trustees serve without compensation.