Response to Recall against James Miles and David Bean
This entry was posted on 9/9/2008 10:26 PM and is filed under Comments.
"If it's not broke, don’t fix it." A simple sentence with much
meaning. I have an issue why this recall is even happening. I look
at the individuals who took out the recall and I listen to them but all I hear
is their anger and rage and about what? James and David have done nothing
wrong, illegal or immoral. They are in their offices daily taking care of
business. If there are any feasible complaints why isn't it coming from
all the council members who work with James and David on a daily basis? It seems
to me like they are all working together in the best interest of the entire
tribe. Even if they disagree on some issues they work it out as intelligent
individuals. The council is more stable now then it has been in over 20
years. I appreciate the entire council. They make some serious
decisions for the entire tribe but remember these individuals were voted into
office by tribal members who believed I them.
I respect the individuals right to utilize their constitution rights to
take out a recall but with good reason. I remember several recalls and
even participating in a couple of them. There was solid evidence that the
certain tribal council members were, in fact, in violation of our
constitution. The recalls stood up due to the facts and were
recalled. The issues brought out in the current recall are not true,
reasonable and are more vindictive than "in the best interest of the
tribe." Every time there is a meeting these individuals add more
rhetoric. I am raising two grand daughters and one great grand
daughter and when I listen to the individuals who took out the recall it really
reminds me of how my children accuse, fight, threaten and blame each
other. Drama we call it. And these same children (and others)
sit and listen to the recall individuals and they, too, don't hear the words but
rather the anger and rage in their actions and voices. My children ask me
"Why is she so mad?" I have to just ask them to be quiet and listen.
Is this the example we set for our children?
James and David are very involved with children. David works
tirelessly among our children. A couple of weeks ago he slept only two
hours coming back from Florida and was up early and stayed up to call the bingo
games. He speaks to all of our youths and knows that as long as someone is
keeping them busy they CAN'T be out getting involved in drugs, alcohol and gang
activities. Both he and James approved the Language committee and that is
bringing about so much change it's unbelievable. The children are hungry
to learn and learn they do. In a year most of our children will be
speaking our language and speaking it fluently. We are finding our cultural
values and it makes the children feel good about their selves. They are
extremely happy to be other children and speaking their language. It's one
of the best things to happen within our tribe in the past 30 years.
James cares for foster children and often times is up all night with them
when they are ill. He is nonjudgmental toward the parents but rather
reaches out and helps them put their family back together. It's these kind
of issues that bring us together as a tribe. Nancy is raising a
toddler. She has raised all of her children and is always helping her
family as well as extended family members and many tribal and non-tribal
members. These are individuals who I would like to have as role models if
I were a child. My children know them and are always looking forward to seeing
them. My children aren't happy with the individuals who get up at
memberships meetings and display their anger and rage.
As for myself. I will not sign the recall against David and
James. It's in the hands of our Good Lord and He will make the right
decision.
Verna Marie Bartlett
