Members of the ASCC Student Government Association for fall 2016 will present a Guberatorial Forum on Tuesday, October 4th, followed by a Congressional Forum on Thursday, October 6th. Both events begin at 12:30 p.m. in the ASCC Gymnasium and are open to the public. (Photo: K.Garcia-Helsham)
Members of the ASCC Student Government Association for fall 2016 will present a Guberatorial Forum on Tuesday, October 4th, followed by a Congressional Forum on Thursday, October 6th. Both events begin at 12:30 p.m. in the ASCC Gymnasium and are open to the public. (Photo: K.Garcia-Helsham)
ASCC-SGA To Host Gubernatorial and Congressional Forums
September 20, 2016
By James Kneubuhl, ASCC Press Officer
As has become customary during election season, the Student Government Association (SGA) at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) will host two forums to familiarize students and the general public with the candidates running for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, and Congressional Delegate of American Samoa. The Gubernatorial Forum will take place on Tuesday, October 4th, beginning at 12:30 p.m., followed two days later by the Congressional Forum on Thursday, October 6th at the same time. Both events will be held in the ASCC Gymnasium.
Upon receiving confirmation of the candidates from the ASG Election Office, the SGA has invited the three Gubernatorial teams consisting of incumbents Hon. Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga and Lt. Gov. Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga; as well as challengers Faoa Aitofele Sunia and Larry S. Sanitoa; and Tuika Tuika and Salanoa Iuni Maeva Saveena to the Gubernatorial Forum. Likewise, incumbent Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen and challengers Meleagi Suitonu-Chapman, Paepaetele Mapu S. Jamais, Vaitinasa Salu Hunkin-Finau and Tim Jones have been invited to participate in the Congressional Forum.
Each forum has an allotted duration of 90 minutes, and in the interest of allowing equal time to all candidates, the respective events will each follow a set format. Both forums will allow for the candidates to give opening speeches, participate in a question and answer segment, and give closing speeches. The formats will differ only slightly to accommodate the higher number of Congressional candidates than Gubernatorial teams. SGA members will give introductory remarks and serve as moderators during both forums.
“The College encourages all citizens of American Samoa, especially young adults new to the election process, to give each of the candidates an open-minded listen, and then base their choice of who gets their vote on who they feel will best serve the Territory as a whole,” said ASCC Dean of Student Services Dr. Emilia Le’i. “We are also grateful for the candidates taking the time to directly share their platforms with both our students and anyone from the public who would like to join us.”
"Getting to know what the candidates are pushing for, what they hope to achieve for this Territory is really important when deciding who to vote for,” added SGA President Ms. Yean Ji Jung. “I hope that through this opportunity, students will be empowered to vote not for the most popular candidates, but for the ones that they believe will make the difference. Who you vote for now makes a great impact on the future, so make that choice wisely.”
For more information on either of the forums, contact the ASCC Division of Student Services by calling 699-9155 and asking for extension 376 or 430.