Di-ga-no-tsa-li-di (News)
Current Independent Councilors on the Cherokee National Council
Part 1 - Sept. 22nd article
A story about the 2011 budget on the Cherokee Nation website prompted us to do a series on the budget. Chief Smith states that when we voted against the budget, we were voting to shut down the entire Cherokee Nation. We being Tina Glory-Jordan, Bill John Baker, Jodie Fishinghawk, Joe Crittenden, Curtis Snell and Chuck Hoskin, Jr. He went on to say we were voting against scholarships and school clothing vouchers. That since we voted no, we wanted to put 3,000 people out of work, closing down clinics and pre-schools and well, you get the picture, absurd as it is. He said a lot more and we will address that in the coming weeks. We voted no to make our displeasure at the chief’s budget known. Why were we against it? Because he should have looked first at other ways to cut the budget, rather than cutting programs that provide direct services to the people.
By his own reasoning, since he cut their budget, he is against the school clothing voucher program. He must be for not helping families’ cloth kids, since he cut $100,000 from its budget. He failed to tell you, that when four of the six councilmembers he mentioned, took their seat on the tribal council, the voucher was $75. When we sat in on our first budget hearing, Jodie Fishinghawk made a motion to raise the amount and Curtis Snell or Janelle Fullbright or both seconded the motion. The voucher went from $75, passed $100 and on to $125. However, what we gave, he took away this year. Shame on you Chief Smith, for being against clothing for children. Why are you against clothing kids, when you have some of your own?
We received the budget with an $185,000 reduction to our rural fire stations. Hey, all you volunteer firemen; he cut your budget by 61%, which means he is against your volunteer work. Jodie found some money in a budget that goes underspent and Tina Glory-Jordan suggested putting $150,000 back in the rural fire station budget. Hmmm, he is against you firefighters and we are for you? Yes, that is good, solid reasoning and I will give you more information to back up this statement. Your council representatives from Adair County listened to the suggestions of fire fighters and made a request/suggestion to administration. Every year we have a Volunteer Firefighter Awards Banquet. It is September 28 at the Hard Rock Casino in Catoosa. Our volunteer for the year for 2010 came from Adair County—David Jones. However, he missed his dinner and presentation due to work and the location of the dinner. The suggestion we made was to have the dinner and presentation at our capitol in Tahlequah or perhaps have the Southern and Eastern Counties presentation at our West Siloam Springs casino. We were told no. The reason given was that we get more media coverage if it is held at the Hard Rock. By the Chief’s own reasoning, I could deduce that he cares more about being in the news than what the “unpaid” fire fighters preferences are. Volunteer fire fighters, we are sorry but we tried. And fire fighters, to let you know where you stand, he cut your budget $185,000, but only cut one of the at-large community activites $25,000. Could I take his reasoning one step further and say he likes the at-large voters, I mean citizens, about $160,000 more than you?
Since we voted no on the budget, Chief Smith claims we were against clothing vouchers, the day work program and scholarships. Everybody that believes that stand on their head. Which are you more inclined to believe now–that six of us want to put 3,000 people out of work or that Chief Smith likes the at-large citizens better than he does our volunteer fire fighters?
Next week we will show you how he wants to cripple Boys and Girls Club of America, take support away from the food pantries, doesn’t want the council to help the Angel Tree any more than what he decides and totally did away with help to our contribution to county fairs, FFA’ers and livestock auctions. To paraphrase Michael Douglas—when you stop telling lies on me, I will stop telling truths about you.
By his own reasoning, since he cut their budget, he is against the school clothing voucher program. He must be for not helping families’ cloth kids, since he cut $100,000 from its budget. He failed to tell you, that when four of the six councilmembers he mentioned, took their seat on the tribal council, the voucher was $75. When we sat in on our first budget hearing, Jodie Fishinghawk made a motion to raise the amount and Curtis Snell or Janelle Fullbright or both seconded the motion. The voucher went from $75, passed $100 and on to $125. However, what we gave, he took away this year. Shame on you Chief Smith, for being against clothing for children. Why are you against clothing kids, when you have some of your own?
We received the budget with an $185,000 reduction to our rural fire stations. Hey, all you volunteer firemen; he cut your budget by 61%, which means he is against your volunteer work. Jodie found some money in a budget that goes underspent and Tina Glory-Jordan suggested putting $150,000 back in the rural fire station budget. Hmmm, he is against you firefighters and we are for you? Yes, that is good, solid reasoning and I will give you more information to back up this statement. Your council representatives from Adair County listened to the suggestions of fire fighters and made a request/suggestion to administration. Every year we have a Volunteer Firefighter Awards Banquet. It is September 28 at the Hard Rock Casino in Catoosa. Our volunteer for the year for 2010 came from Adair County—David Jones. However, he missed his dinner and presentation due to work and the location of the dinner. The suggestion we made was to have the dinner and presentation at our capitol in Tahlequah or perhaps have the Southern and Eastern Counties presentation at our West Siloam Springs casino. We were told no. The reason given was that we get more media coverage if it is held at the Hard Rock. By the Chief’s own reasoning, I could deduce that he cares more about being in the news than what the “unpaid” fire fighters preferences are. Volunteer fire fighters, we are sorry but we tried. And fire fighters, to let you know where you stand, he cut your budget $185,000, but only cut one of the at-large community activites $25,000. Could I take his reasoning one step further and say he likes the at-large voters, I mean citizens, about $160,000 more than you?
Since we voted no on the budget, Chief Smith claims we were against clothing vouchers, the day work program and scholarships. Everybody that believes that stand on their head. Which are you more inclined to believe now–that six of us want to put 3,000 people out of work or that Chief Smith likes the at-large citizens better than he does our volunteer fire fighters?
Next week we will show you how he wants to cripple Boys and Girls Club of America, take support away from the food pantries, doesn’t want the council to help the Angel Tree any more than what he decides and totally did away with help to our contribution to county fairs, FFA’ers and livestock auctions. To paraphrase Michael Douglas—when you stop telling lies on me, I will stop telling truths about you.
Part 2 - Sept 29th
Here are some numbers from the 2011 budget. The council spent roughtly 16 hours allocating a $580 million budget for fiscal year 2011. That comes to $36 million per hour or $600,000 a minute.
Community Gardens was budgeted for $21,000 this year and was projected to spend $26,000. When administration sent the budget over, Community Gardens was zeroed out. Cherokee Sports Teams was budgeted at $50,000 in 2010, but was zeroed out in the 2011 budget. County Livestock Auctions had a budget of $39,000 this year, but was also zeroed out in the budget. Boys and Girls Club had a $145,000 budget this year, but the budget cut it to $100,000. Individual Water and Sewer had a budget of $555,000 this year. Moreover, our citizens have reported being told we are out of money for this program since July, that we know of. The budget came over with only $300,000 in it. The line item for stoves, heating and air conditioning assistance was zeroed out. The At-Large Community Activities budget was projected to spend $130,000 this year and was budgeted at $164,000 next year, a $34,000 increase. At-Large refers to those that do not live inside the 14-county jurisdictional area. The clothing voucher program was budgeted at $600,000 this year, but was cut to $500,000 when the budget was sent to the council.
This Thursday in Rules Committee we will look at several controversial pieces of legislation. One has been on the table for several months. It prohibits elected officials from appearing or participating in media advertisements conducted or paid for by Cherokee Nation or its entities during election periods. Two more are amendments to our Election Legislation. One would allow employees of Cherokee Nation or its entities to file for an elected office without having to resign their jobs. They could stay employed and run for office at the same time. The other would require any elected official to resign if their current term would overlap the term of the office for which they file. This one has been in the papers and has caused great discussion. It was authored by administration and sent to the council house. Also on the agenda is a resolution proposing an amendment to the constitution. If the resolution passes, a question would be put on the ballot in the 2011 election. It would require all balloting to be in person and to take place within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Cherokee Nation. The only exceptions would be service in the U. S. Military or a temporary or permanent physical disability. In a nutshell, you got to come home to the 14-counties to vote. Council members Crittenden, Fishinghawk and Snell are sponsoring this piece of legislation. Another piece of legislation by the councilor from Rogers County deals with the location of precincts and affects Adair County because it does away with Bell as a voting precinct. Last but not least, the Jobs Growth Act is up for discussion. Some want to see us diversify and create jobs throughout the Cherokee Nation not just casinos in metropolitan areas.
In the coming week we will discuss the health budget, education budget and attorney fees, but they will require a column entirely devoted to them.
Community Gardens was budgeted for $21,000 this year and was projected to spend $26,000. When administration sent the budget over, Community Gardens was zeroed out. Cherokee Sports Teams was budgeted at $50,000 in 2010, but was zeroed out in the 2011 budget. County Livestock Auctions had a budget of $39,000 this year, but was also zeroed out in the budget. Boys and Girls Club had a $145,000 budget this year, but the budget cut it to $100,000. Individual Water and Sewer had a budget of $555,000 this year. Moreover, our citizens have reported being told we are out of money for this program since July, that we know of. The budget came over with only $300,000 in it. The line item for stoves, heating and air conditioning assistance was zeroed out. The At-Large Community Activities budget was projected to spend $130,000 this year and was budgeted at $164,000 next year, a $34,000 increase. At-Large refers to those that do not live inside the 14-county jurisdictional area. The clothing voucher program was budgeted at $600,000 this year, but was cut to $500,000 when the budget was sent to the council.
This Thursday in Rules Committee we will look at several controversial pieces of legislation. One has been on the table for several months. It prohibits elected officials from appearing or participating in media advertisements conducted or paid for by Cherokee Nation or its entities during election periods. Two more are amendments to our Election Legislation. One would allow employees of Cherokee Nation or its entities to file for an elected office without having to resign their jobs. They could stay employed and run for office at the same time. The other would require any elected official to resign if their current term would overlap the term of the office for which they file. This one has been in the papers and has caused great discussion. It was authored by administration and sent to the council house. Also on the agenda is a resolution proposing an amendment to the constitution. If the resolution passes, a question would be put on the ballot in the 2011 election. It would require all balloting to be in person and to take place within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Cherokee Nation. The only exceptions would be service in the U. S. Military or a temporary or permanent physical disability. In a nutshell, you got to come home to the 14-counties to vote. Council members Crittenden, Fishinghawk and Snell are sponsoring this piece of legislation. Another piece of legislation by the councilor from Rogers County deals with the location of precincts and affects Adair County because it does away with Bell as a voting precinct. Last but not least, the Jobs Growth Act is up for discussion. Some want to see us diversify and create jobs throughout the Cherokee Nation not just casinos in metropolitan areas.
In the coming week we will discuss the health budget, education budget and attorney fees, but they will require a column entirely devoted to them.
Part 3 - Oct. 6th
While going over the budget, we were asked about the pay for boards and commissions. You read in the papers so-and-so was nominated to this commission or someone was appointed to that board, but you never hear what the compensation actually is. The following is the information we received on the boards and commissions and their compensation.
Administrative Appeals Board (3 members) $200 monthly + $500 per case
Cherokee Nation Businesses (13 members) Chair-$72,000 annually, others $24,000 to $54,000
Cherokee Nation Community Association Corporation (3 members) No compensation
Cherokee Nation Education Corporation (6 members) No compensation
Comprehensive Care Agency Board (5 members) No compensation
Economic Development Trust Authority (5 members) No compensation
Editorial Board (4 members) $350 monthly
Cherokee Nation Waste Management (3 members) Chair-1,500, others $1,000 monthly
Election Commission (5 members) $500/stipend, $100/mtg, $30/hour–non-meeting extra work hrs.
Environmental Protection Commission (3 members) No compensation
Gaming Commission (5 members) Chair-$2,000, others $1,500 monthly
Home Health Services, Inc. (4 members) No compensation
Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation (3 members) $400 + mileage or $375 + mileage
Registration Committee (3 members) No compensation
Sequoyah High School Board (5 members) $150 + mileage
Tax Commission (3 members) Chair- $700 monthly, others $500 monthly
The CNB board’s compensation varies based on committee membership. The $24,000 base includes one committee, each additional committee is another $12,000, a chair receives another $6,000 and the executive committee members are paid another $12,000. Yes, it is confusing to us also.
Are all of these people Cherokee Citizens? That is exactly what we started asking. We wanted to know if they were Cherokee Citizens, lived in the 14-county jurisdictional area and just how many boards they sat on. We remember one or two not being Cherokee, a couple not living inside Cherokee Nation and yes, some sat on several boards/commissions and got paid for all of them. We believe that until you go through all 230,000+ members, you cannot tell us there are no Cherokees to fill these slots. We don’t want to hear that. We have Cherokees that can do the job. Isn’t that what we are here for? The furtherance of the Cherokee Nation and its people? Without Cherokee Nation, there would be no reason for the boards, commissions or entities.
Administrative Appeals Board (3 members) $200 monthly + $500 per case
Cherokee Nation Businesses (13 members) Chair-$72,000 annually, others $24,000 to $54,000
Cherokee Nation Community Association Corporation (3 members) No compensation
Cherokee Nation Education Corporation (6 members) No compensation
Comprehensive Care Agency Board (5 members) No compensation
Economic Development Trust Authority (5 members) No compensation
Editorial Board (4 members) $350 monthly
Cherokee Nation Waste Management (3 members) Chair-1,500, others $1,000 monthly
Election Commission (5 members) $500/stipend, $100/mtg, $30/hour–non-meeting extra work hrs.
Environmental Protection Commission (3 members) No compensation
Gaming Commission (5 members) Chair-$2,000, others $1,500 monthly
Home Health Services, Inc. (4 members) No compensation
Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation (3 members) $400 + mileage or $375 + mileage
Registration Committee (3 members) No compensation
Sequoyah High School Board (5 members) $150 + mileage
Tax Commission (3 members) Chair- $700 monthly, others $500 monthly
The CNB board’s compensation varies based on committee membership. The $24,000 base includes one committee, each additional committee is another $12,000, a chair receives another $6,000 and the executive committee members are paid another $12,000. Yes, it is confusing to us also.
Are all of these people Cherokee Citizens? That is exactly what we started asking. We wanted to know if they were Cherokee Citizens, lived in the 14-county jurisdictional area and just how many boards they sat on. We remember one or two not being Cherokee, a couple not living inside Cherokee Nation and yes, some sat on several boards/commissions and got paid for all of them. We believe that until you go through all 230,000+ members, you cannot tell us there are no Cherokees to fill these slots. We don’t want to hear that. We have Cherokees that can do the job. Isn’t that what we are here for? The furtherance of the Cherokee Nation and its people? Without Cherokee Nation, there would be no reason for the boards, commissions or entities.
Part 4 - Oct. 20th
We are asked many questions about our higher education scholarships. Whether we can serve more people or will we be cutting the number we do serve? Are we going to keep scholarships at $2,000/semester, decrease them or increase them? Who is eligible for scholarships? Here is some information obtained during budget hearings.
A PowerPoint of the 2011 budget was presented by Cherokee Nation’s Treasurer and Secretary of State. The budget included using the Motor Fuel Tax Scholarship Encumbrance Reserve to continue funding scholarships at the current level ($2,000/semester) thru the Spring 2011 semester. The amount was roughly $4 million. We will continue the current criteria for scholarship awards thru the Spring 2011 semester, but the fall semester is in the budget to use new criteria developed by the higher education group. We were told the following criteria were developed: GPA, tier funding, actual cost of the school attended and an income cap (not sure of that amount yet). There are 398 full time employees budgeted for education and 32 vacant positions
Callie Catcher, (the Treasurer) sent over the Principal Chief’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2011. These numbers are from it. Funding sources for the 2010 budget totaled $50,092,103 and $51,431,666 for 2011, an increase of $1.3million. Salaries and fringe benefits for that department increased $1.3 million.
The legislative review of the budget was presented by the council Executive Director of Financial Oversight, Mr. Doug Evans. Here is the information gleaned from the review. In 2004, we funded the students in the 14-county area, and then the contiguous counties and Arkansas. We were told around 2005 or 6, we started to fund the at-large students. In committee, education stated there were 218 out of area Pell-eligible students we fund. Take this times $2,000/semester for 2 semesters (which is one year’s budget) and you have $872,000 for these students. These at-large students. This is important because there are going to be criteria set on the scholarships. The guidelines are just about guaranteed to change.
Administration presented us the above-mentioned criteria: tier funding based upon other federal aid the student receives, setting an eligible GPA, awarding different amounts based on what school you attend or setting an income cap. We are for funding our Cherokee students within the 14-counties first, then Oklahoma, then the rest of the world. In committee meetings, Bill John Baker stated the State of Oklahoma was promised motor fuel tax dollars would be used for education and health care within the state. If these funds go out of state, is the compact being broken?
A PowerPoint of the 2011 budget was presented by Cherokee Nation’s Treasurer and Secretary of State. The budget included using the Motor Fuel Tax Scholarship Encumbrance Reserve to continue funding scholarships at the current level ($2,000/semester) thru the Spring 2011 semester. The amount was roughly $4 million. We will continue the current criteria for scholarship awards thru the Spring 2011 semester, but the fall semester is in the budget to use new criteria developed by the higher education group. We were told the following criteria were developed: GPA, tier funding, actual cost of the school attended and an income cap (not sure of that amount yet). There are 398 full time employees budgeted for education and 32 vacant positions
Callie Catcher, (the Treasurer) sent over the Principal Chief’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2011. These numbers are from it. Funding sources for the 2010 budget totaled $50,092,103 and $51,431,666 for 2011, an increase of $1.3million. Salaries and fringe benefits for that department increased $1.3 million.
The legislative review of the budget was presented by the council Executive Director of Financial Oversight, Mr. Doug Evans. Here is the information gleaned from the review. In 2004, we funded the students in the 14-county area, and then the contiguous counties and Arkansas. We were told around 2005 or 6, we started to fund the at-large students. In committee, education stated there were 218 out of area Pell-eligible students we fund. Take this times $2,000/semester for 2 semesters (which is one year’s budget) and you have $872,000 for these students. These at-large students. This is important because there are going to be criteria set on the scholarships. The guidelines are just about guaranteed to change.
Administration presented us the above-mentioned criteria: tier funding based upon other federal aid the student receives, setting an eligible GPA, awarding different amounts based on what school you attend or setting an income cap. We are for funding our Cherokee students within the 14-counties first, then Oklahoma, then the rest of the world. In committee meetings, Bill John Baker stated the State of Oklahoma was promised motor fuel tax dollars would be used for education and health care within the state. If these funds go out of state, is the compact being broken?
Part 5 - Oct. 27th
We will continue our discussion of the budget next week. We thought we would inform you of some important pieces of legislation. This Thursday, Executive & Finance and Rule Committees meet and the legislative acts and resolutions will be voted on then. In Rules Committee, there is an act on the agenda that prohibits elected officials from appearing in or participating in advertisement paid for by The Cherokee Nation or its entities 6 months prior to an election. Basically, you can’t campaign on The Nation’s dime.
Another act sponsored by Joe, Jodie and Curtis Snell is to place a constitutional question on the ballot next year and allow the people to decide. It will require that all ballots cast in Cherokee Nation elections to be done in person and at polling stations within the 14 counties. The only exception would be for military service or disabilities. In other words, you would have to drive, fly or swim to a polling place to vote, no absentees but for the previous two exceptions.
“An act amending legislative act 06-10, as amended by LA#22-10; revising title 26 (“Elections”) of The Cherokee Nation code annotated: amending Chapter 4 §§31, 36 and 37: adding provisions for overlapping terms: and declaring an emergency” is also on the agenda. It is being sponsored by Jack Baker & Julia Coats (the 2 at-large councilors) and Chris Soap, the chief’s running mate picked to replace Joe Grayson. We have been asked numerous times the same question and here is the answer—this act will affect only Bill John Baker, not Chris Soap. Councilman Baker will be required to give up his seat on the council to run for chief but Chris will not have to give up his seat to run for deputy chief. This is due to how the sponsors/authors worded the act.
When the Tulsa World announced “the Smith/Soap ticket” back in January of this year, we all should have known the direction of the election. After all, the announcement was a year and a half before the election. A year and a half!!
Next week back to the budget. Oh, before we forget, a district dinner is being tentatively planned on November 11, Veterans Day. We plan on dedicating it to and honoring our Veterans and their families. All Veterans and families are invited. Any suggestions, help or requests are welcome.
Another act sponsored by Joe, Jodie and Curtis Snell is to place a constitutional question on the ballot next year and allow the people to decide. It will require that all ballots cast in Cherokee Nation elections to be done in person and at polling stations within the 14 counties. The only exception would be for military service or disabilities. In other words, you would have to drive, fly or swim to a polling place to vote, no absentees but for the previous two exceptions.
“An act amending legislative act 06-10, as amended by LA#22-10; revising title 26 (“Elections”) of The Cherokee Nation code annotated: amending Chapter 4 §§31, 36 and 37: adding provisions for overlapping terms: and declaring an emergency” is also on the agenda. It is being sponsored by Jack Baker & Julia Coats (the 2 at-large councilors) and Chris Soap, the chief’s running mate picked to replace Joe Grayson. We have been asked numerous times the same question and here is the answer—this act will affect only Bill John Baker, not Chris Soap. Councilman Baker will be required to give up his seat on the council to run for chief but Chris will not have to give up his seat to run for deputy chief. This is due to how the sponsors/authors worded the act.
When the Tulsa World announced “the Smith/Soap ticket” back in January of this year, we all should have known the direction of the election. After all, the announcement was a year and a half before the election. A year and a half!!
Next week back to the budget. Oh, before we forget, a district dinner is being tentatively planned on November 11, Veterans Day. We plan on dedicating it to and honoring our Veterans and their families. All Veterans and families are invited. Any suggestions, help or requests are welcome.
