Council behavior unacceptable
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Editor,
The tribal council quarterly meeting was eventful.
Once again, the Peoples’ Voice experienced the blatant disregard the Tribal Council has for the Tribal Constitution during the quarterly council meeting held on July 5. We are demanding answers to our questions regarding your reasons for denying the petition to put the issue of paying out the remainder of the Salazar settlement money to a membership vote. You did not follow the rules for petition process of Ordinance 53-A. By the following violations we feel there is reasonable doubt as to the validity of your criteria for denying the petition.
You required a resident address of the petition signers: the Ordinance states: “current mailing address.” You acknowledged in writing that you received our petition, but failed to count the signatures, as per Ordinance 53-A: “indicating the exact number of signatures which are attached.” (Now you are telling us that there are 12 pages missing equaling 189 signatures. We have exact copies of the petition we submitted to you which do include those “missing” pages.) You challenged or as you stated in your letter, “263 signatures are determined questionable and therefore invalid.” Ordinance 53-A states: “No challenges will be considered which is not accompanied by supporting evidence in writing.” Repeatedly, the Peoples’ Voice has requested this written evidence but you have refused our request.
At the quarterly meeting, July 5, we asked you where the missing signatures were. Chairman Durglo’s reply, “we are not going to entertain further discussion on the petition.” Shortly thereafter, Councilman Ron Trahan got up and stated, “I’m tired of this bulls**t. I’m going to the Powwow.” He then left the council chambers.
On Tuesday, July 9, during the tribal council meeting, the Peoples’ Voice president Sharon Rosenbaum again requested answers to the above violations. Chairman Durglo told her that there will be no further discussion on the petition issue, the matter was closed.
Seriously membership, is this council’s conduct acceptable to you? Whether you agree with the petition or not, do you not agree that something is very wrong here? Take back the power.
The Peoples’ Voice Media
Donna Orr, St. Ignatius
Joyce Mitchell, Ronan
Joelene Frey, Polson
