Dear Editor,
I write this letter not out of anger, but out of disappointment and confusion.
For nearly three decades, my late husband and I were faithful members of the EFKS congregation in Vaiala. During that time, we gave generously to the church, supported its work, and believed in the values of fairness, stewardship, accountability, and Christian compassion.
Many years ago, I became one of the first tenants of the John Williams Building in Apia. I rented a space there to operate my café and boutique. When I first moved in, the premises were far from ready for the purpose for which they were being leased. At my own expense, I tiled the space, installed air conditioning units, industrial fans, and equipped the kitchen so that I could operate my business.
Over the years, whenever maintenance issues arose, I often found myself paying for repairs and upkeep because waiting for action was not always practical for a business owner. I even undertook renovations to the public restroom attached to my premises because it had fallen into a state of disrepair. These were improvements and maintenance costs that I absorbed over many years without complaint because I valued my business, my customers, and my relationship with the church.
