New Year Marks New Election - Make It Count

We're coming upon a new year, an odd numbered year, which means one thing of significance for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. It's an election year. Tribal voters will go to the polls to cast ballots for school board in some communities, council members in all communities.
Thus far, the poll on this site shows that some of the incumbents still have some support. Yet the majority results of the poll (Of course I realize it isn't scientific.) show that most people are dissatisfied with the incumbents.
As the pay for council members has continually risen over the years, almost with nearly every council term, what has resulted is more people have been seeking these positions for the wrong reasons. They're looking for a job. That shouldn't be what we're looking for.
We need people who know what the role for council members is. It's to serve as the legislative branch of tribal government. It's not to go on lavish trips. It's not to mingle with big shot politicians. It certainly isn't to dance to the chief's organ grinding. It's to make laws and serve as a check on the power of the executive and judicial branches.
So far, this is the most ineffective Tribal Council in years. The majority of them seem to have no guts at all, cowering to the chief or to any preacher telling them they're going to hell if they don't vote they way he thinks they should. There's no independence. Most of the time, Council can't even make a decision. Everything's tabled to the point that most people have forgotten about it.
We've got tough times ahead. If there's ever a time to have ethical, wise and educated decision makers in office, now is the time. We can't have people who believe that laws don't apply to them. Nor can we have the stumbling ignorant buffoonery that we've had for the past six years. Cherokee County/Snowbird Council Member Abe Wachacha, when put on the spot by my wife over his vote in support of a terrible ordinance proposed by Chief Hicks, even told her that he had no idea what he was voting on. That's unacceptable, and unfortunately it's par for the course for Tribal Council.
People in these positions will be making decisions on gaming compact negotiations, possible casino management contract negotiations, budgets and proposed laws. We can no longer afford to make decisions based upon who's family or other such nonsense. We have to have the best individuals for these positions. Get yourselves informed and choose wisely.