Viewpoints
KIC election rules
By Elroy C. Edenshaw, Jr.
January 20, 2006
Friday AM
This is my opinion and interpretation of the current KIC election
rules.
I wanted the KIC membership to know that changing the nominaton
procedures/ qualifications for candidates during and/or with
the KIC election calendar in motion is a violation of state election
rules and is unethical in practice. A KIC member might say, "What
does that matter to us, we are a tribe and we make our own tribal
laws and we don't have to follow state rules". That type
of thinking or perception is short sighted to the current KIC
election rules. In the current KIC election ordinance, state
election laws are mandated by language. State law defines "pre-clears"
as a critical function to a properly held election.
A review of election rules is an important function of government
and to have a time frame for review and a process or policy for
proposed election rule/rules changes is what KIC's election ordinance
is lacking. With this language not in KIC's election ordinance,
my opinion is that the door is kept open for conflict and future
abuse of leadership to the election process at KIC.
I don't want to place blame or even contest the election because
I respect our members voices. But also want to point out this
simple fact that this is not the first time this has happenced
at KIC. I am disappointed with those that ran on a platform of
strong ethics and pointed fingers at others in past conflicts
at KIC, and made promises of fairness and reform. Not only with
this election but recent past elections. What I am saying is
that these very same tribal council members have become what
they said they feared the most. Leaders that are self-serving
and ego driven and unwilling to admit a mistake. I think these
tribal council members including Health Board members need to
step back and really take an honest look and see if they are
walking their talk. Remember this simple rule of perception,
"Actions speak louder than words".
Elroy C. Edenshaw, Jr.
Ketchikan, AK - USA
About: Elroy C. Edenshaw, Jr.
is a long time resident of Ketchikan, a veteran and a member
of KIC.
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