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pHitnrially Speaking Our Tribal Government and Public Relations or lack thereof Most recently, our Tribal Administrator. Leon Jacobs, has undertaken a plan of action, it seems, to see if" he can stem the flow of negative publicity that seems 10 dominate our tribal government Jacobs decided he should contact Indian members of the media and talk with them about the best way to improve public relations It is almost embarrassing for us to know that we are expending more than $ 100.000 a year in Jacobs' salary as well as paying two stafTpeople to do public relations, and he feels the need for a meeting One of the problems we see with Mr Jacobs as Tribal Administrator is the fact that he has been away from Lumbcc country for many years. He docs not understand our way of thinking, apparently, nor does he seem to understand Lumbcc politics I personally am sick of hearing about the newsletter from the Pequots in Connecticut where he served as tribal administrator prior to being demoted from that position. At least that is the information we receive from Connecticut. In any event, a newsletter seems like an attempt by Mr. Jacobs to continue to give us the appearance that our government has something to hide. A newsletter owned and produced by the gov crnment would do no more than give us information that you want us to have, as opposed to giving us the true facts. Come on, Mr. Jacobs. \ ou are no longer in Connecticut. Do not assume that because something worked with the Pequots that it will work with Lumbcc And while we are addressing you publicly, w c have this question, editorially speaking If we are indeed paying you more than $1000.00 (and we arc) what is the problem? Why do you need a special assistant to the administrator and a deputy administrator? If the duties of administrator are that overwhelming, perhaps we should divide your salary three ways to accommodate three positions to accomplish the same task. To improve the public image of the government, we humbly suggest that the public relations department immediately provide a copy ofthe draft monitoring report from HUD which outlined the problems with corrective action. Take that document and show the tribal member ship what you have done and arc doing '.o correct the many problems we had when you arrived to "save the day." A few questions which need to be answered publicly. Docs the comptroller, Patrick Bullard, continue to write checks for any purpose he deems worthy? Does he still have and use a signature stamp with the Chairman's name without the knowledge or approval of the Chairman? Do >ve still have multiple problems in neighboring Hoke County which have not been resolved? Have you provided solutions to the problems we all know about? Have you identified contractors who have not completed jobs properly and stopped them from continuing to do shoddy work? Or is it still business as usual? Friends and relatives continue to get paid to provide inadequate service to the membership. One other point. If indeed, Mr. Jacobs, you are serious about improving the public image of our government, stop acting as if vou are covering up wrong. The more you act as if you have something to hide, the more determined we become to find out what it is. We appreciate the contact from those tribal members who agree with us that our government should not function under the auspices of a private, non-profit corporation with no members. Yes, we have a plan of action and wish to see an immediate dissolving of all private non profit corporation. By the way, Mr. Jacobs, this would help to improve the image of our government. Why is there be a need for several non profits? And tell us publicly, Mr. Jacobs, who formed them and for what purpose? A final note on non profits. It is our understanding that the ANA grant was not refunded this year. This' raises another question: Why not? Could it be we did not receive ANA funding this year because we did not do what we said we would do with the money last year? We ask publicly because the tribal membership has a right to know. Deflections I by Alta Nye Oxendine NEILA MAN GUM I am sorry I've been forgetting to ask for PRAYER for Mrs. Neila Mangum, Brother Bob's wife. She has had several very severe bouts with serious illnesses in recent years. The latest, a severe infection, sent her to two different hospitals, including a period of time in intensive care. Although she is home and gradually improving, she is still limited in what she can do. I was happy to hear that members of Sandy Plains UMC, the latest church in which she and her husband have served (actually Tor the second or third time) have been taking turns staying with her to make it possible for her husband to earn- out his pastoral responsibilities. I remember when the Mangums arrived in Pembroke, in 1958, and began serving at First Methodist. Besides officiating at our 1959 marriage. Bob was our pastor there for several years after we were married. For over 40 years he and Neila have served nearly all of the Indian United Methodist churches in this area. OTHERS I'm glad that Bill Clinton had his heart bypass surgery before having a heart attack. And that he is doing as well as he is. There are always SO many persons who could benefit from our prayers. One young man who is struggling with a chronic health condition which iimils his mobility is Aaron Clark. I met Aaron at the grocery store some time ago. and was interested in learning that lie had spent time in my area of the west. I would also like to ask prayer for all (including my daughter) who are dealing with fibromyalgia or some other chronic health problem, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and arthritis. My son-inlaw's mother, "Miss Elsie" Hunt, has been suffering from the pain of three kinds of arthritis for years, even while she was doing hard, custodial work at the middle school in Lumberton. I have to admire people like her, who keep going in spite of their constant pain! I've been so much more fortunate than so many who are much younger than I am. Several times, again recently, I've had to deal with muscle spasms that made me think my mobility was going to be permanently limited. Instead, I've been able get over the problem each time. Several months ago I benefitted from physical therapy, as I had in Montana, during the 1990s. I recommend it! THE FUTURE OF THIS COUNTRY One thing I'm working on is sharing some more concerns regarding the four candidates (including vice-presidential candidates) running in this election. John McManus, a man who has spent decades studying a series of happenings in violation ofthe U. S. Constitution, told me he would not vote for the current candidates from either the Republican or Democrat parties. Instead, he believes in trying to get our country back to the original intention of the Constitution's founders by working with the people in the House of Representatives. It must have been in the 1960s or early 1970s w hen he became convinced, like Robert Welch years earlier, that the U. S. presidency was "fixed" no matter which of the two main nominees won the election. Something to think about! However, I'm still planning to vote for one of the current candidates. Which brings me to this: Why do you and I have to be told by spinmeisters from each party that THEIR candidate won the debate. I thought Kerry did a good job in the first debate. But I did not realize thanks to all those "expert" commentators who are so much smarter than I am. It doesn't matter that I happen to have a degree in sociology (actually social science, with lots and lots of sociology, psychology, and other "people" courses) as well as my M. A in rural church and community work. Or the fact (hat I've been a diligent "selftaught" student of political science over the past 17 years! I need someone to tell me what i just saw! Actually, I was never as convinced about regime change in Iraq was as high a priority as both presidential candidates must have been, so I'm not really taking sides on that issue. What I am concerned about is the ongoing erosion of moral standards which have in the past, encouraged many citizens of other nations to view our country as a shining example for the world. Being named the number ONE and number FOUR liberals in the Senate has caused me to hesitate putting my trust in John Kerry and John Edwards. But it was Kerry who impressed me during that first debate by being the one to show more concern over the dictatorial acts of Vladimir Putin which must be putting Russia increasingly closer to the old days when that "former" KGB (Stasi) chiefs secret police organizations controlled every aspect of life in the Soviet Union, East Germany, China, Cuba, and elsewhere. As I've said before, it looks to me like Gorbachev merely allowed a "window of opportunity" for other ideas to emerge in Russia, and perhaps in the entire former Soviet Union. In that debate, George Bush sounded certain that he could convince his buddy, Vladimir, to see the error of his ways (the same way he was apparently able to convince reluctant Texans to see things form his viewpoint). This idea is what has caused me to agonize over the totally naive "buddy-buddy" attitude of both Bill Clinton and George Bush toward each of the last two "former" communist leaders of the "new, democratic" Russia. Also, as vice president, George Bush, Sr., seemed totally unaware of the atrocious behavior of Ceaucescu toward the people of Romania, which he recommended as a country we could keep doing business with. David Funderburke and his wife Betty have told me a totally different story about Ceacescu, from their years of living in Romania! Report to the Tribal Membership Last week we discussed Article IV of the Lumbee Tribal Constitution which details the Recall Process to remove a tribal official from office. This week we will look at some of the problems the tribal government has encountered and explore the idea of whether or not these problems were created due to malfeasance or open abuse of authority on the part of the Lumbee Tribal government. As stated in last week's report, malfeasance is defined as wrongdoing or misconduct. Any petition in the Recall Process must include the reasons why tribal members feel the tribal official is guilty of such action. It is important to understand the responsibilities of each branch of the Lumbee Tribal government subject to Recall before making allegations of misconduct, wrongdoing or abuse of authority. Let's begin by briefly reviewing the constitutional responsibilities of Tribal Chairman Jimmy Goins. Article V7TI Section 1 of the Tribal Constitution states: "All executive powers, including implementation of and compliance with annual budgets of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina shall reside in a Tribal Chairperson, who shall cause all laws of I he Tnbe to be faithfully executed Specifically, the Tnbal Chairperson shall: a) deliver to the general membership an annual State of the Tribe Address during the first week of July, which Address shall include a proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, b) within ten (10) days of its passage by the Tribal Council, certify for referendum by the general voting membership any tribal ordinance that affects fundamental rights or interests or the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. Any ordinance imposing a tax or authorizing gaming in Lumbee territory shall be deemed to affect fundamental rights or interests of the Tribe. No ordinance certified as requiring a referendum shall be effective unless and until such ordinance is approved by a majority of those voting in the referendum, such referendum to: be conducted in accordance with Article V of the Constitution; c)have authority to veto any ordinance enacted by the Tribal Council , d) shall nominate a Tribal Administrator, subject to confirmation by the Tribal Council or itsaesjgnee(s), the T ribal Administrator can be removed by the same process; e) represent the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina before all other governments and tribunals, including the : ' United Sptes, the State of North Carolina, and all federal and state In reviewing the action of Tribal Chairman Goins to date, we do know thatHjs questiohable.asto whether or not he has complied with Article VIII Section 1 (^JJ^itate of the Tribe Address was delivered in a timely manMi"?4KWever, one could argue that the Address was not presented to the general membership when the Address was given at a fundraising event for federal recognition at a cost of $50 per ticket. In addition, he did not propose a budget at that time as required by the governing document I would contend that a majority of the general membership could not afford to pay that amount to hear the State of the Tribe Address. It is not quite clear whether the Chairman failed due to wrongdoing or out of ignorance. There is the possibility that he was not aware of his responsibility to carry out such duties. In reference to Section 1 (b) of Article VIII, the Tribal Council has not passed any ordinances affecting the fundamental rights or interests of the Tribe. Therefore, Chairman Coins has not had to certify a referendum vote to date. In addition, he has not vetoed any ordinance passed by the Tribal Councii as stated m Section 1(c). Section 1(d) of Article VIII gives the Tribal Chairman the right to nominate a Tribal Administrator. The Tribal Administrator is a political appointment of the Chairman, and is solely responsible to the Tribal Chairman. In January of this year, Chairman Coins look office and one of his first acts was to remove former Tribal Administrator Darlene Jacobs. Jacobs at that time was under scrutiny for her performance in that position. There were numerous accusations of wrongdoing and misconduct against Jacobs, especially relating to the tribe's housing program. There is no need to rcnash these allegations at this time. However, it is important to remember that Chairman Goins served as a Tribal Council member prior to being elected Chairman, and while Jacobs was Tribal Administrator. Further, while Chairman Goins removed the Tribal Administrator with the confirmation of the Tribal Council, no other employee has been let go to date. Are we to believe that Jacobs was the only one responsible for the numerous problems? Chairman Goins is the Chief Executive Officer of the Tribe and has the authority to instruct the Administrator to fire tribal employees. However, there are tribal employees who continue to be employed who were instrumental in assisting the former Administrator in the creation of many of the problems the tribe continues to face. For example, it is rumored that reports from HUD addressing problems with the tribe's housing program cites problems with the performance of the Tribal Comptroller, Patrick Bullard Further, it is rumored that he has not performed the duties of that position adequately.. Nevertheless, he continues to serve in that capacity with seemingly no checks and balances. The current Tribal Administrator, Leon Jacobs, who was appointed by Goins and confirmed by the current Tribal Council, immediately following the removal of Darlene Jacobs, has the authority to hire and fire. However, he has continued to employee Bullard in this position even though there are still countless rumours, accusations and innuendos of wrongdoing and misconduct. In fact, rumors have surfaced that the Tribal Administrator has been instructed by Chairman Goins to fire Bullard. If this is true, the Tribal Administrator, who is responsible for the day to day operation of the tribal office, is guilty of insubordination and should be brought into line by Chief Executive Officer Goins to insure that he is not the subject of a Recall petition with accusations of malfeasance. On a positive note, we can say that Chairman Goins has seemingly complied with Section 1(e) by representing the tribe with the various governments and agencies in an appropriate manner. Lastly, it is important to note that as the Chief Executive Officer of the Tribe, Goins has the authority to enact an Executive Order to address issues that have not been resolved. For example, it has recently come to light that the tribal government is organized as a private non-profit corporation with no members. This is not only a direct violation of the Constitution, but it is in violation of the will of the tribal membership. Prior to the adoption of our current governing document, the tribal membership was asked what type of government if any, they wished to be governed by. The response was overwhelmingly in favor of a tribal constitution that provided a voice for the tribal membership, and not: an organization governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina. Government by a non-profit corporation eliminates any voice or say so by the tribal membership. In addition, a strong argument could be made that this constitutes malfeasance by the Tribal Chairman. We publicly request Tribal Chairman Goins to immediately enact an Execu- : live Order dissolving all non-profit corporations. The Lumbee Tribe is -" a sovereign nation, and to be governed by a non-profit dilute^ our tribal sovereignty. Next week we will review the Lumbee Tribal Council and their role in our recent problems. by Cynthia L. Hunt, Enrolled Member Tribal jYovs Correspondent f These Businessmen Know The Importance Of Good Decisions. That's Why They Rely On The Rehabilitation Care At Scotland Memorial. v Charlie Buie and Jimmy Morgan are businessmen who've spent years making good decisions that have helped them build successful companies. When each learned they needed joint replacement surgery, they made the decision to have their surgeries at Scotland Memorial and their rehabilitation care at the hospital's Center For Inpatient Rehabilitation. 'Tve had two hip replacements at Scotland Memorial followed by inpatient rehabilitation," says Charlie Buie, president of Charles Craft, a local textile company. "The surgical and rehabilitation teams were first class. 1 was up and around and learning to adapt to my new hip within a few days. This high level of rehabilitation helped me feel confident about leaving the hospital and returning to work and activities safely." For Laurel Hill businessman and band leader Jimmy Morgan, getting his strength back after joint replacement was important. "The inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation care at Scotland Memorial is outstanding," he says. "The professionalism of the staff was exceptional. Although I could have gone anywhere for care, I am glad I chose Scotland Memorial because they have the expertise I needed. In fact, I am now using the pool and other outpatient therapies to help relieve an arthritic condition." The Center For Inpatient Rehabilitation is a specialized program for hospitalized patients recovering from orthopaedic surgery, stroke or neurological disorders and injuries. Tb leam more about our rehabilitation services, call 910-291-7550. SCOTLAND 7 HEALTH CARE SYSTEM Improving Health. Enhancing Life 500 Lauchwood Drive Laurinburg. NC 28352 910-291-7000 www.scotlandhealth.org
The Carolina Indian Voice (Pembroke, N.C.)
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