The Chukchansi tribal council election has been upheld after appeals were filed by four candidates who were not among those who will be seated.
While some on a losing side vow to keep appealing the results, one Chukchansi leader says it is time to move forward so the tribe’s casino in Coarsegold can reopen. It has been closed for more than a year after an armed takeover attempt led authorities to shutter the facility.
The Oct. 3 election favored seven candidates from the Morris Reid faction. Three of those elected were on the federally recognized “interim council” from 2010, which was named by the federal government to oversee council business since earlier this year.
Two members of the 2010 council, Nancy Ayala and Reggie Lewis, filed appeals of the election. Two other candidates, Melvin Espe and Donna Featherstone, who have served on councils in the past few years, also filed an opposition to the results.
One of the major grounds for appeal was the voter rolls. Lewis was opposed to the tribe allowing voter rolls from the 2010 election. He said the rolls from 2012, which removed about 150 voters from 2010 because they were disenrolled, should have been used.
The tribal council voted 4-3 earlier this year to use the 2010 voter list.
Lewis said Friday that the council historically had never allowed people to vote who weren’t members of the tribe. He said he thinks they were the difference in the Reid faction’s victory.
Read more: FRESNO BEE CHUKCHANSI
Me: Magic 8 ball, will this casino ever, ever reopen?
ReplyDeleteMagic 8 Ball: My sources say "no".
Chaos and violence is the only thing that will keep the casino closed. The losers may try more violence but I think they're too afraid to go to jail. We have a meeting Monday, and we will know if all the signing for the opening is compete.The bondholders put a lot of money into the opening lol. They want it open more than us Chuks.
ReplyDeleteChaos and violence is the only thing that will keep the casino closed. The losers may try more violence but I think they're too afraid to go to jail. We have a meeting Monday, and we will know if all the signing for the opening is compete.The bondholders put a lot of money into the opening lol. They want it open more than us Chuks.
ReplyDeleteNancy and Reggie can't just let go of all that money and power their days are done just accept it
ReplyDeleteI am so tired of hearing about this tribe and its casino, just shut it down for good and be done with it; get'er done NIGC.
ReplyDeleteUndoubtedly, appeals are being filed with the BIA in regards to the election. Just because the proctors of the election, Indian Dispute Resolution Services (IDRS) found the appeals received unjustified doesn't mean the election is not open to appeal. If the BIA rejects appeals, they will then most likely be appealed by those who filed them, and their attorneys, to the IBIA. The division at Picayune, sad to say, is far from over. Only time will tell the story, and it would be unlikely that the NIGC and the California Attorney Generals Office wwould sign off on agreements to open Chukchansi Gold until the dispute is visibly and convincingly no longer a factor.
ReplyDeleteI agree with for ALL nations... This is not just something that a band aid can fix. There is a real issue of accountability. As for the note holders they are accruing interest daily. This could take years of appeals to the different judicial bodies. I think when it makes it to the Supreme Court the court is going to defer it with the recommendation that the court does not want to legislate from the bench. We know congress will not act quickly if they act at all. Last the last applet decision will be binding on the tribe and all who are concerned. If the tribe is smart they should find some lackey passion for those who are disputing the current decision. If they are members of the tribe they would show the real spirit the creator would see them have. Get rid of your pride and greed and act like a good member of the community. Listen to the wise by humbly accepting the counsel of your elders.
ReplyDeleteI have been through this many times over. So has my grandmother way back in the late 60's and 70's. She has been gone for many years now. If she were alive, she would of kicked the bucket after seeing what has become of our tribe.
ReplyDeleteI remember having a sense of pride that i was part of a proud people. Now that pride has come and gone. My grandmother always spoke to us in our native tongue when we were kids hoping that we would pass it on to our kids. She also said that one day we will have a casino and receive plenty of money. Ha! What a joke. Maybe if i were a tribal council member and had a chance to steal money as the past leaders of the tribe.
I wonder why they had these expensive Bentley's and huge SUV's came from. After hearing 49.? million missing. I now know. What a shame. I hope these people that stole will pay the price here on earth and well as when they see their maker.
Adorning oneself in expensive clothes and trinkets, and amassing collections of material possessions that would be the envy of any 19th century monarch has become a substitute for genuine prosperity.
ReplyDeleteAs more people come to perceive material goods as the form of self-identification in this culture, we slip farther and farther away from the experience of true prosperity.
I hope this place never reopens.
ReplyDeleteRoberts trying to take away people's water rights now!! Macarro tried at Pechanga and failed. He needs to be reported. Also reported to NIGC for withholding some percap to members for not following his rules.
ReplyDeleteIM SOOOO TIRED OF EVERYONE ON HERE TALKING AND DOING NOTHING BUT TALKING! IM CHALLENGING YOU ALL TO STOP TALKING AND STEP UP!! DONT LET ROBERT SMITH AND THERESA NIETO AND THE EC GET AWAY WITH THEIR CRIMES AGAINST OUR TRIBE! THEY STEAL SOOO MICH MONEY FROM US AND USE IT FOR THEIR OWN BENEFIT! WELL ITS TIME TO PUT A STOP TO IT!! "REVOLT" THIS IS A CALL TO ARMS!! THE COURTS,NIGC,FBI, AND ESPECIALLY THE BIA ARE NOT GOING TO HELP US SURVIVE AGAINST THE EC AND WILL CONTINUE TO ALLOW THE EC TO RUN PALA LIKE THEIR OWN LITTLE KINGDOM. ITS A TRIBAL MATTER SO LETS HANDLE IT AS ONE!!!!
ReplyDeleteI would like to know what has Rick Cuevas accomplished? Weather you like Rick Cuevas or not, what has he accomplished?? His own family barely supports him. why do you? Thanks
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