The Senate yesterday rejected the governor’s appointment of Roy JD Hall Jr. as a board member for the American Samoa Visitors Bureau.
Hall has been the cause of criticism in the Senate stemming from his role as chairman of the previous ASVB Board.
From testimony at committee hearings and annual budget reviews, senators have learned that for most of the last three years, Hall has basically driven the activities of the Visitors Bureau without any input from other board members, save for Alex Sene jr,
What has upset senators and representatives is the spending of the nearly $1 million budget of the agency , which has less than ten employees, particularly the benefit package for Executive director David Vaeafe.
When the confirmation vote for Hall was called yesterday, 7 of the 13 senators who cast ballots voted for Hall while 6 voted against. Hall needed ten votes to be confirmed
Senator Tuaolo M Fruean moved for a vote of reconsideration for Hall but President Pro Tem Nuanuaolefeagaiga Saoluaga Nua explained that according to Senate rules when a nominee is rejected there is no reconsideration unless the Governor resubmits the nomination.
Hall was confirmed by the House of Representatives last month to serve on the ASVB board. The Senate vote means that Hall cannot serve on the ASVB board.
The Senate was also scheduled to review the appointment of Betty Cavanaugh as a member of the ASVB Board however she did not attend due to health reasons.
Already confirmed as directors of the ASVB board are Uili Leauanae, Deputy Director of Commerce, Tuiagamoa Tavai Deputy Secretary of Samoan Affairs, Tuiagamoa Tavai, Hawaiian Airline’s Station Manager, Tuli Fruean and businessman Thomas Drabble.
