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News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2005 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council sustained two of Principal Chief Chad Smith’s vetoes during its August Council meeting.One act would have hindered the Cherokee Nation’s business entities from contributing to issues-based campaigns. It was rejected because many council members believed it to be an unnecessary addition to existing procedures.
"There is no need for that piece of legislation," said Cara Cowan, the Tribal Council member representing Rogers County. "It is unnecessary. Our companies have done nothing to violate any state or federal campaign finance laws and under those laws they cannot contribute to individuals anyway. Our businesses contributed to a state question related to their business, after the Council had passed a resolution supporting the state question."
The second sustained act was vetoed by Principal Chief Chad Smith because of concern over requiring citizens to provide additional personal information when signing petitions. In addition to existing petition requirements, the act required citizen birth dates. The concerns were that the changes to the existing referendum petition law would put citizens unnecessarily at risk to identity theft.
"I truly believe using personal information, such as a birth date, gives identity thieves more access to personal information," said Meredith Frailey, Council member representing Mayes County. "As legislators, it is our responsibility to ensure that we have a process that will help minimize the risk of identity theft. I just can’t support it [this legislation]; that’s the major reason."
The Council narrowly passed an act repealing the Cherokee Nation law which basically deals with the TERO act. The act was presented by Audra Smoke-Conner and amended during the meeting by Bill John Baker, both Tribal Council members representing Cherokee County. The amended act inserts the Tribal Council into the appeals process, between an administrative appeals board and the District Court, for vendor complaints.
Two environmental motions were also approved by the Council. Presented by Jackie Bob Martin, council member for Adair County, the motions were for a Radon education and outreach project and a community air study.
In an amendment to the agenda, the Tribal Council unanimously carried a motion to issue bonds for the continuation of health clinic construction or upgrades projects in Nowata, Sallisaw and Muskogee.
The Cherokee Nation honored two Cherokee military veterans during Principal Chief Smith’s State of the Nation address. Specialist Echota Lee West has served his country with the Army National Guard Reserves. He served in Iraq, returning earlier this year. West is originally from Tulsa. The second honoree was Roy Simmons, Sr. who served as a Technical Sergeant with the United States Army Air Force. During World War II, Simmons completed 28 combat missions over Germany as part of the 332nd Bombardment Squadron. Simmons now resides in Blackgum, Okla. with his wife Roberta.
In other business, the Council confirmed Principal Chief Chad Smith’s nomination of Jason Soper as a Commissioner of the Cherokee Nation Gaming Commission and the re-nomination of Bart Fite for appointment as District Judge of the Cherokee Nation District Court.
The entire August 15 Cherokee Nation Tribal Council meeting can be viewed on the Cherokee Nation’s web site. The next Cherokee Nation Tribal Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 12, at 6 p.m. in the Tribal Council Chambers at the W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex on Highway 62 south of Tahlequah.
| Related Cherokee Nation contact information: |
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Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |