Wanda Jackson, who is married to Vice Chief Larry Blythe, who is seeking reelection, resigned, supposedly because of a question of ethics, and there is. After all, how can she have maintained an appearance of objectivity given her relationship with a candidate? I have however received information that leads me to believe that her resignation had nothing to do with her relationship to the vice chief.
Internal audit found irregularities in her time noted for her job at the Youth Center in Snowbird and her time spent carrying out her duties with the Election Board. In other words, alleged embezzlement.
I know that Tribal Council, along with the chief and vice chief, have been notified of this. Why are there no charges? Why does she still have her job with the Youth Center? Had this been someone who isn't married to the vice chief, that person would've been fired in a heartbeat.
I've questioned Jackson's professionalism and competence during her time with the election board, as well as her objectivity, and I still do. Had internal audit not found what they did, I honestly believe that Jackson would've stayed on the board and the see-no-evil majority of Tribal Council would've done nothing.
Mary Lou Quinlan: Asking for It (or Positive Thinking About Negative Feedback)
-
Afterwards, I sit onstage and ask, "How did you really feel?" It's not called a "talkback" for nothing. Suddenly, hearing their opinions isn't as much fun, ...
29 minutes ago
2 comments:
I, too, am not in favor of the current administration, but the tactics that you use and allowing yourself to be a lackey for Teresa McCoy, and others like her, prove the ineptitude and ignorance which confuse many tribal members today. I recently attended a Meet the Candidates forum and continue to be disappointed at how most of the candidates do not address political issues facing our Tribe, but prefer to continue their personal attacks on the opposition and their families.
If you knew the inner-workings of how the Election Board works and the election process, you would know that one person cannot influence the outcome of the election. Each community has five poll workers who each verify the vote total and call it in to the Election Board. Whoever answers the phone at the Election Board takes the count and reports it. After all communities have called in, it is then verified by the board with community poll judges and police present. I'm not sure how it is in Cherokee County, but I'm positive that all poll workers, poll judges, police officers and election board members would not share support for the same candidate, so your assessment that Ms. Jackson could sway an election in favor of her husband is ridiculous and naive. Further, Ms. Jackson did not seek re-appointment to the Election Board, she did not resign.
Now, as for your second allegation of "embezzlement", I am still incredulous that Teresa McCoy (from whom you received the information regarding Internal Audit's investigation) has to stoop to such a low level in hopes of FINALLY winning the Vice-Chief's chair. If you would continue to investigate further, you would find that Ms. Jackson was cleared of all allegations by her immediate supervisors. If you would have investigated any of it, you would have found that there was no merit to the report and it was a political ploy by your esteemed candidate.
If you truly see yourself as a voice for the underdog and oppressed and a martyr for misunderstood people, why don't you investigate how Teresa McCoy has not done anything for her community? Investigate how her own astronomical water bills mysteriously disappeared, how her and her husband and his family are notorious for growing their own marijuana, how she is allowing her community members to apply for grants for Big Cove and drinking up the grant monies, how the Gaming Commission remains unchecked, how the Casino does not practice cost containment across the board and how their managers (I think one was your wife) receive exorbitant bonuses every year.
With your immense journalism experience and stellar education, it would seem that you would practice unbiased reporting and getting both sides of a story before going off on tangents which are not credible. Failure to incorporate these vital aspects just makes it clearly apparent why you really didn’t deserve your position of editor at the One Feather. Prior to reading your blog, I actually supported your stance against political leaders, but you have proven to everyone that your views are just as misguided and maligned.
You want to take a jab at me that's fine. How about showing enough decency to leave my wife (and anyone else not connected to this issue) out of it. I think since I "lost" my position at the One Feather my side was already chosen. I've made it abundantly clear that this is an opinionated blog. That means I present one side. Don't like it, cry me a river.
Oh, and you're more than welcome to start your own blog to present an "unbiased" view. However, that means you have to step outside of the shadow of anonymity with the rest of us.
And I'm not crying any tears for Wanda either. I've witnessed her lack of objectivity and professionalism first hand. The audit was an audit. If it wasn't a legitimate audit, prove it. Oh and I know at least one of the individuals who conducted this audit, who probably wouldn't appreciate your character assassination either.
Don't underestimate the ability of an election board to sway things (all it takes is one). Look at the Cherokee Nation.
Don't assume you speak for everyone. Michell Hicks does just that, and we all know what happens when you assume.
BTW, there are a number of sources for which I could've received that audit, and I refuse to state that source.
Post a Comment