Tuala-uta Representative Samuel Meleisea is taking the unprecedented move of seeking input from constituents on what to ask director nominees during confirmation hearings.
And he’s making use of Facebook to get feedback.
The freshman faipule, posted on his Facebook page, Saturday: “There’s a lot of lobbying for or against the nominees.”
He said he’s hoping to get feedback, especially from his constituents, about their thoughts and questions they would like to ask these cabinet appointees if they had the chance.
Rep. Meleisea listed the first five director nominees:
- Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Poumele for Director of Port/Airport
- Dr. Ruth Matagi Tofiga for Director of Department of Education
- Ueligitone Tonumaipe’a for Treasurer
- Talauega Eleasalo Ale for Attorney General
- Le’i Sonny Thompson for Public Safety Commissioner
Meleisea asked that questions and comments be issue-based and not personal in nature.
The 25-year old faipule received many comments and messages of appreciation.
One person wrote, “Only one question needs to be asked of all directors… do they file their taxes? Thank you Rep for the transparency.”
Another posted: “I would like to ask why are the directors always the same, just moved to a different department? How can any one person be able to manage any department they are assigned? Seems they should have some qualifications to take on the new department. I would ask each, do you feel qualified for this position? Do you have e background and experience to make sound judgements for this department and the people it will serve?”
Another wrote: “What is the AG’s office going to do about all the break ins in our District? Why is the AG’s office letting these criminals walk the streets to commit the same crimes again. I’ve personally left many messages with the AG’s office. They never return my calls, and there’s always a different Lawyer handling the felony cases. DPS locks them up, and AG office lets them go. I’ve written numerous police reports, numerous police statements, video clips, not one follow up investigation. None of the items returned, nothing paid back. Maybe this can be asked to both DPS and AG, because both agencies are blaming each other.”
Another message said, “As a constituent of Tualauta (Faleniu), I would ask this general but crucial question – What is the biggest issue each sector faces, and what detailed strategy does each appointee have to address it?”
KHJ News received a call from a resident of the Easten District this afternoon praising Rep Meleisea’s move of seeking input from . He wished his own representative would tajke the same approach, and in fact he messaged his faipule suggesting this but he hasn’t heard back from his representative.
