Picking Apart the Chief's Report

I was always sickened by the community reports from Principal Chief Michell Hicks. They often glossed over reality and were nothing more than self-serving horn tooting. I resisted his demands to place them on the front page because to do so blurs the line between public relations and journalism. Had I had qualified supervision who was truly interested in protecting the One Feather's credibility instead of helping her King of Utopia grandstand, that supervision would've stood behind me.
Anyway, with the One Feather's new tabloid, magazine-styled format, the placement of the latest chief's report amounts to front page coverage.
Here's point by point debate (something he hates) on his report. His statements are in italics. My answer is in regular font.
Chief Hicks - I hope everyone enjoyed the July 4th Holiday, and took the opportunity to give thanks to those that have fought and continue to fight for our freedom.
I did, and I actually honor what they fought for. Thus far, the chief has only paid lip service to those ideals.
Chief Hicks - (Referencing the 2010 annual report to come)I am very concerned about keeping enrolled members informed about the position the Tribe is in, and what projects our tribal programs are working on.
How about asking the Attorney General's office to follow the access to information law. I made a request for information that is now two years old. Just because the office "is too busy" is not an excuse, nor is the fact that information I requested may have been embarrassing to elected officials. And I hope this report will be more informative than reports of the past, which tended to report information selectively. Part of keeping enrolled members informed is allowing them to access what should be public information independently. The chief, who opposed the freedom of information law, isn't known for being a proponent of sunshine.
Chief Hicks - (Referencing his presentation to the Governor's Economic Development Task Force, which significantly featured the casino) Approximately 39 % of the workforce at Harrah’s is from Jackson County and 36% is from Swain County and all profits from the Casino are re-invested in the community and the region.
He fails to mention the portion that's tribal members. He's also vague about how those profits are "re-invested." Some tribal members who are unemployed may be using their per capita payment to make ends meet, which hardly boosts the economy. I also wouldn't be bragging too much on the theater and golf course and other tribally-funded projects that could've been done by private enterprises at no cost to the tribe.
Chief Hicks - The EBCI Jail Committee met recently to discuss the progress being made on the jail project and to work through potential roadblocks to our success.
I actually support a tribal jail, which has been needed for a long time. It actually can be a revenue driver for the tribe should it provide space to accommodate prisoners from the counties.
Chief Hicks - I recently had a meeting with the Golf Course Committee members to discuss their financial situation and how things are progressing on the course. The overall drop in the economy has affected Sequoyah National just as it has affected all other businesses. However, they are still doing well despite any problems experienced.
Of all the executive branch's pet projects, none irritates me as a tribal member and stake holder than this one. A private developer proposed just such a project. It would've been done at no cost the tribe. It would've been a revenue driver for the tribe. Instead the chief, vice chief and tribal council felt it would be better to take out a loan and the tribe fund it and run it. The chief says it's doing well; I say show me the books.
Chief Hicks - I hope everyone enjoyed the Tribal picnic last week.
Not that I think things done for tribal employees are a bad thing, but some employees may feel that bonuses for good performance would be preferred, that could happen if some of these events were scaled back.