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News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2005 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council unanimously passed a resolution authorizing application for Indian Reservation Roads (IRR) Bridge funding that could repair state bridges in six counties and provide the money needed to assist the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) plans to complete the I-44 and 193rd Street Interchange project in Catoosa.Presented by Jackie Bob Martin, Council member representing Adair County; the project will provide safer bridges for Cherokee Nation citizens and other residents living in Cherokee, Nowata, Rogers, Muskogee, Sequoyah and Tulsa Counties. If received, the funds will also move up the construction schedule on the I-44 Interchange project in Catoosa.
"It [the resolution] is the first step in applying for funds through IRR," said Michael Lynn, director of the roads program for the Cherokee Nation. "For the Cherokee Nation, this is part of being a good state and community partner. These road and bridge improvements will help not only our citizens but everyone who uses them. These funds may accomplish two goals - help with state bridge repairs and alleviate the I-44 Interchange problem that has existed for years. We had several meetings with OKDOT and believe that these funds can resolve the state’s funding shortage with the I-44 project. They have the project planned for 2008, but have about an $18 million funding shortfall. If we receive these funds it will meet their funding needs and move the project up a year to a year and a half."
The Cherokee Nation roads program has paid for more than $30 million of road improvements over the last 10 years.
The Council also unanimously passed three EPA resolutions authorizing the Cherokee Nation environmental programs group to submit grant applications for a clean air monitoring, a radon pilot project and a lead certification program.
The Cherokee Nation honored two Cherokee citizen military veterans, Walter W. Patton and Damien Cookson. Patton, from Stilwell, Okla., served his country in two wars. He served with the Marines in WWII and the Army in the Korean War. Patton achieved the rank of Master Sergeant with the Marine Corps and received the Bronze Star while serving with the Army’s Company I, 270th Infantry Division. Corporal Damien Cookson, who just recently completed his military service, joined the US Marine Corps in August of 2000 after graduating from Tahlequah High School. His unit was Marine Wing Communication Squadron 28. He received the Presidential Unit Citation ribbon, National Defense ribbon, Sea Service Deployment ribbon, Global War on Terrorism ribbon and a rifle expert badge.
Deputy Principal Chief Joe Grayson, Jr. presented the Cherokee Nation seal to Walter W. Patton for his military service. Patton served during World War II with the Marines and with the Army during the Korean War. 
In other business, the Council confirmed the nominations of Mark Frederick Green as a member of the Cherokee Nation Environmental Protection Commission, Charles L. Plunkett as a board member of the Cherokee Nation Industries board of directors, Leticea Stevenson-Pablo as board member of the Cherokee Nation Comprehensive Care Agency board of directors, Dennis Springwater as commissioner of the Gaming Commission and Charles D. Hathaway as a member of the Fifth Tribal Election Commission.
The meeting reconvened briefly on Thursday, June 23, to vote on an agenda amendment regarding a limited waiver of sovereign immunity as part of a management contract to oversee operations of the Cherokee Nation’s landfill. The council voted unanimously in favor of the resolution.
The entire June 20 Cherokee Nation Tribal Council meeting can be viewed on the Cherokee Nation’s web site, www.cherokee.org.
The next Cherokee Nation Tribal Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 11, 2005 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 |