TARAHΆT
THE P EOPLE
FEBRUARY
N E W S L E T T E R 2015 Non-Profit
New Pukuu Board
Revising Bylaws The Tribe’s charitable nonprofit organization, Pukúu Cultural Community Services
has elected new board members and a new chair to lead the organization. Gregory Spencer, Navajo and Tohono O’odham and Robert Vasquez, Tataviam recently joined Pukuu’s board of directors. Sylvia Mendivil Salazar, Tohono O’odham, was appointed to lead Pukúu as their chairperson and she quickly established committees from fundraising down to reviewing of the organization structured. The policy committee began reviewing and editing the organization bylaws as well as the office policy for both Pukuu and Haramokngna American Indian Cultural Center. Pukuu’s bylaws were written in the early 1970’s and slightly revised in 2004. Today the board is drafting the bylaws to extend the reach of Pukuu’s programs and services. The board is planning presenting the draft bylaws to Tribal Senate in March at the general senate meeting. The Board meets every first Wednesday of each month at the Administration building from 6:30pm to 9pm.
2015 Tribal Election
New Tribal Leadership
Announcing candidates who will be sworn into office
T
he Tribe is pleased to announce the candidacy results and our new leadership that will take office this April. This election included Tribal President, Treasurer, 5 Tamit District senatorial seats, and 2 Toto District senatorial seats. The Administration received 1 filing per available seat, resulting uncontested and no ballot. The newly elected representatives will serve a 4-year term, expect for 1 senatorial in Tamit District. Please join us in welcoming: Tribal President Rudy John Ortega Jr. Treasurer Elisa Diane Ornelas
Tribal Senate District Seats (DS) are label per election district and seat number that reference their availability. Odd number seats are available during tribal president election. Even number seats are available mid-president election. Elections under the Chapter 8, Article 43 of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians constitution shall take place every four years on the first Sunday in April. Half of the Senatorial election seats shall take every two years. In this election there were one vacancy in the Tamit District that resulted with 4 seats available. The vacant seat (DS 1-3*) has only 2 years left in its term that was open by a senator resigning early.
Tribal Senate Tamít District – Five (5) Seats DS 1-1 Raymond Russell Salas DS 1-2 Cathy B. Salas DS 1-3* Arturo Paredes DS 1-4 Mark Joseph Villaseñor DS 1-5 Darlene Marie Villaseñor
Under Section 5-404 of tribal code states that if only one candidate files for an office, no ballots shall be sent regarding that candidacy. Also that candidate shall be elected by a onevote margin for filing for office.
Tótó District – Four (4) Seats DS 2-1 Steve Ortega Sr. DS 2-2 Michael Eric Ortega DS 2-3 David Ortega DS 2-4 Francine Salas Salas
Tribal Senate did not place any ballot items nor have the citizens of the Tribe filed any items for election. Therefore no ballot will be distribute to all registered voters for 2015 election.