The performance of village mayors came under the spotlight during review of the administration’s anti litter bill in the Senate.
Senator Avegalio Aigamaua asked if village mayors are consistent with their clean up of villages every Wednesday, or Aso Lulu.
Eastern District Governor Alo Dr. Paul Stevenson said village mayors are part of the American Samoa Government workforce and are required to work 8 hours a day for which they are paid.
Avegalio said in the past, villages would impose penalties on untitled men who don’t participate in the weekly clean up.
Some lawmakers were critical of village mayors saying they are lax in enforcing rules on village cleanliness, and punishing offenders.
It was brought up in the discussion that some pulenuu don’t even live in the villages they are mayors of.
Such is the case with mayors for Manu’a villages.
In an interview with Manu’a District Governor Misaalefua Hudson. he confirmed some pulenuu for Manu’a live on Tutuila.
He said one village mayor doesn’t visit Manu’a at all and the reason is because of lack of transportation for his medical checkups.
Misaalefua points out that Manu’a is clean and the village mayors are doing good work.
