Cherokee Press Association
Commentary: Bonus Bungle
Opinion Page Editorially Speaking
Copyright © 1998 Muskogee Phoenix
Published in the Muskogee Daily Phoenix &
Cherokee Chief Joe Byrd didn't start the practice of giving bonuses to tribal employees. The least he can do, though, is follow such practices wisely.To start with, he should make information about these bonuses public. Tribal employees are after all, public employees, therefore how they are paid is the public's business.
Byrd also should reconsider the wisdom of giving away hundreds of thousands of dollars when the Cherokee Nation confronts hard financial times.
The 75 employees who got bonuses might need a "reward" as Byrd called it - but not at the price of jeopardizing tribal finances.
As for Byrd's comparison of Cherokee money practices to those of the federal government, we just note Cherokee law provide deficit spending; federal law doesn't.
Sadly for the Cherokee People this isn't the first time Byrd has misunderstood or simply ignored tribal law. We just wish it was the last.
Muskogee Phoenix
P.O. Box 1968
Muskogee, OK 74402-1968
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