NO SPECIAL ELECTION FOR THE SAULT TRIBE

Voting NO to a special election were the following:

1. Deb Pine,
2. Cathy Hollowell,
3. Bernard Bouschor,
4. Pat Rickley,
5. Keith Massaway,
6. Joe Eitrem, and
7. Lana Causley.

Although several suggested that some had their own special agendas for wanting a special election, others said this wasn't about any individuals hoping for a place as tribal chairperson. One of the few directors not to voice an opinion was Bernard Bouschor but he had his nephew, Bill Bouschor, speak for him to oppose a Special Election.

Cathy Abramson had several comments to make in support of the membership chosing the next chairperson and DJ Malloy had several questions for the legal department as well as pointing out that a simple amendment (an action that takes place frequently) to the code would allow for a Special Election while some opposed making an amendment to serve a specific purpose.

Hollowell performed her usual double-speak that we have come to know her so well for. She disputed a comment with words that said exactly the same thing as the person who spoke them in the first place, as several around me also noted.

As one tribal member responded to the board, "Rumor has it that you guys already decided that Joe Eitrem will be appointed to Chairman (which would explain why he so vehemently opposed a Special Election) and that DJ Hoffman would be appointed to the board to fill Eitrem's vacant seat." Audience members were equally divided as to whether they opposed or would approve a Special Election.

However, one thing was made very clear:
Regardless of the direction of the election, the acceptance of the results and the appointment would be at the pleasure of the board. In other words, just as you voted in previous elections, it doesn't mean a thing if the same 7 people on the board vote to disapprove your vote. I guess that explains why those same 7 continue to dispute the cost of an election....because they aren't going to listen to you anyway.

SAULT TRIBE MEETING TONIGHT

Will there be a decision tonight on whether to appoint a chairperson or hold a special election? Try to attend if you can and show support for what you believe is the right thing to do.

Family Loyalty

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

ACCEPTING RESUMES FOR CHAIRPERSON.....APPLY WITHIN

With so many members of the tribe who have displayed integrity and intelligence in the way they live their lives, why settle for anything less to sit in the chairperson's seat of the Sault Tribe. If you are interested in holding a seat and would like to expand on your qualifications and principles, send a letter to weave977@yahoo.com and I will post it here.

Below is Aaron Payments desires for the Sault Tribe.

I support a separation of powers and granting the Membership standing in Tribal Court to bring a cause of action against their government if our Constitutional rights are violated. Some are easily fooled by the smokescreen that a separation of powers is the 'white mans' way but a separation of powers originated from the Iroquois Confederacy.

I support elected judges who must be Sault Tribe Members and have law degrees with experience in Indian law. Once elected, the only cause for removal of judges should be for malfeasance and not because the board or chairperson threatens your job.

I support a separation between the board and chair functions but since the people have already decided that issue, I would support the Chair being a facilitator between the administration and the Board to ease operations and for immediate decision making.

In our day an age, gaining a consensus before acting is easily accomplished. I support enhancing the democratic principles of the Members to weigh in on all decisions of the elected body. Again, with technology like Survey Monkey or other on-line survey instruments, we can at least ask the members for direction before making major decisions.

Any appropriations over $500,000 should be ratified by the Membership. The Board or Administration should be prohibited from spending new money until after the referendum period has passed.

One big thing missing is any semblance of labor rights within our employment. I support enacting tribal labor law, conferring irrevocable jurisdiction to an independent tribal court and an administrative procedures act to provide all employees a right to their jobs. If we do this right, employees won't need to unionize. The 2% raise for employees over three years is shameful.

Finally, I support both term limits and a recall provision to allow Members to decide more timely if someone on the Board (or Chair) is violating the principles of democracy. Of course, these items would need to be scrutinized by the people and yes, voted on by the people.

Respectfully,
Aaron Payment

Lovelorn Grondin's Blind Desire for Lana Causley

I received the email below from Tony Grondin today and it makes me ill the extent that some people will go to in order to promote their political favorites and fantasies. The suggestion that Aaron Payment had anything to do with Fred Paquin's crimes are nothing but slanderous untrue statements. When Aaron Payment received information that Paquin was involved in the embezzlement of government funds, he assisted and worked with the FBI during the investigation of Paquin. I also received information regarding Paquin's fraud and embezzlement that I supplied to Aaron Payment and Todd Gravelle, who in turn supplied such to the federal authorities. If anything, Aaron (and Todd) were responsible for the successful conviction of the former Sault Tribe police chief.

It has been said that Mr. Grondin has a long standing lovesick infatuation with Lana Causley and will do or say anything to support her. The email (below) that I received, with its blatant lies intended to promote Causley's appointment, confirms it for me. I normally ignore Grondin's nonsense but this letter calls for an immediate response to dispute such blatant and inflammatory lies.

I, for one, have had it with this tribe being run on lies and misinformation. The lovelorn Grondin should realize by now that the object of his desires only purpose for him is to perpetuate a continued string of deception.

Grondin wrote:
"To all concerned tribal members,

It is apparent that there may not be enough time to have a special election before the term of Joe McCoy's Chairman's seat is up. It is even more apparent that Aaron Payment is getting nervous as he is concerned Vice-Chairman Lana Causley may be appointed Chairperson for the remainder of McCoy's term.

We must remember that Aaron Payment was part of the administration that allowed Felon, Fred Paquin, now serving a year in federal prison, to abuse his power and steal from the Federal Government. There is a real possibility that Aaron Payment will be the target of a federal investigation for abuses of the office of Chairman of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

Time and time again I hear that we need to let our ELECT officials make decisions we elected them for. Those decision include appointing a chairman if the seat is vacated before the term is up. In one of our recent tribal news publications ex-chairman Joe McCoy chastised the membership for asking for a referendum because of the expense.

We now have another ex-chairman, Aaron Payment, urging our elected officials to spend more money on a special election to fill the chairman's seat that will be decided by the membership anyway in little over a year. History tells us that ex-chairman Aaron Payment, has little regard for spending money as one of his first directives as chairman was to put a private shower in his office.

It's time our elected officials make responsible decisions. We have an ex-chairman, Aaron Payment that has been out of the loop. wanting to come back for a little over a year and make decisions on things that our sitting board knows more about right now. There are 12 sitting board members to choose from to fill the chairman's seat for the remainder of the term."

THE PLOT

Hypothetical scenario...
1. Spread the rumor that the Chairman wants out.
2. Plan the timeline---must be accomplished at the right time to eliminate the possibility of a Special Election.
3. Review the election code with a fine tooth comb.
4. Prepare the letter of resignation but leave the date blank for now.

"Damn those tribal citizens really screwed up the plan with all their stupid petitions."
"Crap...the letter of resignation includes the CEO position."
"There's no time...just cross it out."

And we all know what happened next.

The PLOT thickens...to be continued....

CAN YOU HEAR US NOW?

Since the news of Joe McCoy's sudden announcement to resign as Chairman of the Sault Tribe, the response from citizens of the tribe overwhelmingly call for a Special Election. For proof, all one needs to do is read the comments on the various web-based news providers that ran the story, this blog and on Facebook.

As a result of a search of all available links to the story, I was able to compile a consensus from those who took the time to voice their opinions. Right or wrong, but definitely not indifferent, it appears that by an overwhelming majority the citizens want the return of Aaron Payment and also by an overwhelming majority, do NOT want Bernard Bouschor or Lana Causley appointed to hold the top position in our tribe.

It's clearer than a bell or in words written in gold across the sky, clearer than the water of Lake Superior and clearer than the bluest sky....citizens of the Sault Tribe do not want an appointed Chairperson, but they do want a Special Election. Some feel that since Payment was the runner-up in the last Chairman's election that he be approached to finish out McCoy's term.

Whether there is a Special Election or the runner-up from the last election is chosen, those are the only two options that represent the voices of the citizens of the Sault Tribe. A vote to do otherwise by any members of the Sault Tribe Board of Directors will surely seal their fate as not representing the will of the people and will therefore by ousted from their cushy little board seat as soon as their name comes up next to an oval that needs to filled out with blue or black ink. Are the directors listening? Can you hear us now!

From the Sault Tribe website....

LATEST NEWS
Sault Tribe Chairman Resigns
Written by Communications Department
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Sault Ste. Marie, MI - Sault Tribe Chairman Darwin "Joe" McCoy on Tuesday night announced his immediate resignation as the elected leader of the 39,000-member Tribe.

His brief resignation letter to the Sault Tribe Board of Directors provided no specific reasons for his decision to resign other than "circumstances beyond my control."

McCoy had served for nearly three years as Chairman after being elected by members of the Tribe.

Under the Tribe's Constitution:

1. Board Vice Chairperson Lana Causley will serve as interim Chairperson until a successor is appointed or elected.

2. The Sault Tribe Board will decide as soon as possible whether to either appoint a successor, as specified in the Tribal constitution, or call an advisory special election to fill the seat under Tribal law.

All Board members pledged a smooth transition to the new chairperson.

McCoy Resigned as Chair?!

Apparently Joe McCoy resigned as Chairman of the Sault Tribe tonight stating personal reasons. That's the news but no confirmation yet.

SUCCESSFUL TRIBES ARE RESHAPING GOVERNANCE

Successful Tribes Are Reshaping Governance
By Mary Annette Pember

"The problems of some Indian communities were cemented in old governmental structures, set up by the US Department of the Interior 80 years ago. Now many tribes are rewriting their rules of governance, for greater transparency."

Read the full article...copy and paste link in your browser.

http://www.dailyyonder.com/successful-tribes-are-recrafting-government/2011/05/03/3308

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST CHILDREN

Happy Mothers Day Ladies but there is a special group that always comes to mind on Mother's Day and this is for them:

Author Unknown:
I was thinking of you today,
And how painful it might be,
To have lived through the death of your child
When that was never the way
You saw their life to be.
On this day when children honor their mother…
Though they are not here to tell you,
Always their mother, you shall be.
For though your child has died before you,
So painful to imagine
The light of your child will always
Return to touch you;
And in a quiet voice, whisper words of love.
This is not a mother’s day you ever planned.
That sorrow and loss, I respect.
Words do not say enough.
My thoughts are with you on a day
Of sadness and memories,
For you, their mother.