WHICH REPS VOTE IN PEOPLE'S BEST INTERESTS?
Editorial
Todd County Tribune
March 12, 2003
Have you ever heard the philosophy that every person will eventually show you their true colors?
First, one of Dist. 3 council reps' brother's job was terminated from Water Resources under secrecy. I was told it was for procurement violations where he allegedly sold, to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, one of his old trucks at an inflated price without advertising for bids. Then he was reportedly given a job at Solid Waste, where he was allegedly terminated for embezzlement. If the money is where he states it is, Solid Waste should have around $12,000 in petty cash.
This council rep then verbally attacked the vice president in session about accountability for the tribe. I guess her brother's job is more important than the people's money.
Secondly, in September 2002, this council rep's sister, who is the court administrator, her job performance was brought to the attention of Mr. Hammer (RST Pres. William Kindle). It was hammer time if this individual did not correct her problems immediately.
In March 2003, the only thing that has changed is the weather.
The RST Judiciary Committee then brought the issue to the council's attention last Wednesday, requesting termination for neglect of duty.
Two of Dist. 3's council reps should have excused themselves from this session concerning the tribal court administrator, only because they are closely related. They chose not to leave. Nor did the chairman direct them to excuse themselves.
Instead of taking a position to protect our civil rights, they biased other council members to vote in their favor. So, our rights will continue to be violated for the next two months until her contract is expired.
We need a person with honesty, integrity and who promotes the tribe's best interests to assume this position.
Why does this administration have committees/commissions? Is Mr. Hammer refusing to follow recommendations to suspend, terminate or prosecute for fear of not being re-elected?
When the council votes on at-large members, they do not receive copies of the applications for their personal review. How are they expected to know who qualifies to sit on which committee/commission?
This is not a popularity contest. Our livelihood depends on these individuals doing right by the people.
Our $7,625,000 loan is almost complete with $825,000 in a line of credit that our president has an authorizing signature for. So, when you sell your vote this year, make sure you get your money's worth. Maybe you should take the money and vote in the best interest of tribal matters. They can't call the police or report you to the Ethics Commission.
Remember Chicken Little? The sky is falling! Both governments want you to fear change, but change is necessary for our Lakota people and tribe to move forward. Without change, we will continue down the path of self-destruction.
Why would the Iraqis bomb Rosebud? Colin Powell stated the US will put the Iraqi people's money and oil in trust for them. In reality, the Iraqi people are about to become Indians.
I support a Constitutional Convention. A forensic audit of all tribal programs/communities and white collar crimes will be at the top of my wish list. We can then see who the real criminal element is on the council, past and present. I know I have solid cases of embezzlement against tribal members, two of whom belong to Lakota Women for Change. Anything over $500 is considered a felony, so be careful what you ask for because you might get it.
People continually ask me if there is anyone in Dist. 11 with common sense? I would like to communicate with any individual who will run in the next election to let them know how this representative continually votes in the worst interest of her Lakota people.
This week's shouts go out to the Judiciary Committee, Dist 2, Dist. 4, Dist. 5 (Rick Young), Dist. 6, Dist. 7 and Dist. 13. These individuals voted for the best interests of their Lakota people, not the good ol' boy mentality.
Dinah Crow Dog stated she is "proud of our young Lakota warriors who stand up and speak out against the system." What the rest of you are doing on the council is the real question. I know I'm not happy with Dist. 10 council reps for the way they voted or not voted. I have expressed my feelings toward them and hope they will vote in the tribe's best interests in the future.
All council reps voted to close the hog farm except Dist. 1 and Dist. 11. No surprise there. All the people should personally thank your council reps for working hard to correct the past mistakes that your elected officials made. Such a high price the Lakota people almost had to pay for those individuals selling their souls!
Todd Fast Horse
Great-grandson of Chief Stranger Horse
Rosebud, SD
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