Congressional Candidates Forum at ASCC

The rising chorus of discontent over the US Army’s indoor shooting range at Tafuna appears to be gathering momentum.

At the four Candidates Forums organized by Tafuna High School, South Pacific Academy and the American Samoa Community College so far, questions regarding the firing range have been at the forefront.

Yesterday at the ASCC Congressional Forum Congresswoman Aumua Amata told close to 300 students, teachers, parents and the general public that she spoke with the Secretary of the Army last Saturday about the matter.

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Candidates Tuika Tuika and Meleagi Suitonu Chapman both said that there should have been more public consultations.

The US Army Secretary, Ryan D McCarthy was returning from Antartica and stopped off to refuel, giving Aumua the chance to meet with him, even at the early hours of Sunday morning.

Other issues raised at the ASCC Forum, hosted by the Business Ambassadors of ASCC, included drugs, the economy, education and health care.

Health care is an issue that declared Republican Candidate Tuika Tuika spoke passionately about.

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Meleagi Suitonu Chapman, making a second run for Congress gave her views on health care.

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And the house was nearly brought down after the three were asked if transgenders should be allowed to join the Armed Services.

All the candidates overwhelmingly gave a thumbs up to transgenders enlisting in the military.