subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Sun, Nov 22 2009 

Resources

print this story   Print this story
  Post to del.icio.us

Published April 13, 2009 10:43 am - April 13, 2009

Let the people decide



Editor, Daily Press:

This is in response to the April 1 letter, “Keep tribal term limits.”

I sponsored two ballot issues for the regular 2011 Cherokee election. One question is to eliminate term limits for the executive branch: the chief and deputy chief. The other is to eliminate term limits for the legislative branch: the Tribal Council.

In the current 1999-2003 Cherokee Nation Constitution, both branches have a maximum of two terms or eight years. Chief Smith filed a lawsuit, asking the Cherokee courts to decide whether term limits began in 2003 or 2007. The court case decides the timing of the existing term limits and not the ballot issue.

The Cherokee attorney general issued a decision determining term limits did not begin until the 2007 term, since the constitution was not implemented until mid-term 2003-2007, and no Cherokee law can be retroactive. The people voted on the constitution in the 2003 runoff election.

Many folks across the tribe were not happy with the all-or-nothing constitution and asked me to bring forward several ballot issues. The term limit issue took more than six months to pass, while other amendments did not make it out of committee. In addition, a ballot issue to amend the constitution regarding replacement of council members has already been placed on the 2011 ballot by the council.

If the courts decide that I and others elected in 2003 are term-limited out this term, I and others are unable to run for our current seats in 2011. If the courts decide term limits did not begin until 2007, everyone is eligible to run in 2011. Regardless of the court’s decision, the people will decide term limits. The regular election ballot does not interfere with the Cherokee courts.

If you have questions, issues or concerns about this issue, please e-mail me at cara@caracowan.com or write me at P.O. Box 2922, Claremore, Okla. 74018.

Cara Cowan Watts, District 7

Cherokee Nation Tribal Council



print this story    email this story   






autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premier Guide
Premium Jobs

Help Wanted
LPN/ Wound Care Nurse: We need a LPN for a full-time position for our Wound Care Nurse. Experience in Long Term Care a...>MORE

Help Wanted
RN Quality Manager We are looking for a RN to fill a position in our Long Term care Nursing Home as part of a Quality Ma...>MORE

Help Wanted
Medical Technologist needed in Tahlequah, OK to, under limited supervision, perform blood tests in all areas of the labo...>MORE

Help Wanted
LPN: 10pm To 6am position open for our Long Term Care/ Medicare Facility. We offer competitive salary, 401k, health be...>MORE

Help Wanted
Skelly School- Accepting applications for an Elementary Physical Education Teacher for the remainder of the 2009-10 scho...>MORE

See all ads

Premium cars

Used Trucks for Sale
1992 Dodge Dakota $2,200. Call 207-2270...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Homes

Duplex for Rent
1730 sq FT. of luxury the new town homes of Wisteria Lane on Grand Ave. 4bdrm, 2ba, 2 car garage. A must see!! Now le...>MORE

House for Rent
2bdrm, furnished, Satellite TV and water included. Chicken Creek $500 monthly, 740-0039...>MORE

House for Rent
3bdrm, 1ba $500 Deposit, $600 Month. 207-2899...>MORE

Mobile for Rent
3bdrm, 2b, large covered porch, $375. month, $250. deposit, 918-637-6182, 918-772-0792...>MORE

Mobile Home For Rent
3bdrm 2ba Rent $550 deposit $500 456-0782...>MORE

Mobile Homes For Rent
2,3,4bdrm, 1219 West Choctaw, accept HUD, 708-5889...>MORE

Mobiles for Rent
2-3bdrm 2B, Mobile Keys Area. 456-6813...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Extras

Acreage For Sale:
3Acres +/- , Available for site built or new mobile home. Several tracts to choose from 6 miles +/- NW of Tahlequah H...>MORE

Camper for Sale
Camper Truck asking $3,500.00 call 918-207-9740...>MORE

Acreage for Lease
apx 15 acres in town call 918-822-7084, 918-456-9424....>MORE

Commercial Property
Ed’s Service Station, 901 E. Downing, available for lease January 1, 2010. Contact Jim McSpadden (918)931-0227 or (918)...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index