Comanche News!

Darrell Kosechequetah Responds to April 2012 Recall

MAY 3, 2012

Six Recall Petitions were taken out and circulated by Eleanor McDaniel against every Business Committee member, except Chairman Wauqua.  The Comanche Petition Ordinance requires a special meeting of the Business Committee to validate any petition prior to the Chairman calling a Recall Meeting of the Tribal Council.  Chairman Wauqua set six Tribal Council Recall meetings (three on April 19 and three on April 26) before the special Business Committee petition validation meeting.  This was out of order.  The Business Committee declared each of the six petitions invalid on April 14, 2012.

Chairman Wauqua presided over three illegally convened Recall Meetings on April 19.  Those attending voted to recall three Business Committee members.  If valid, this action crippled the Comanche Nation government by eliminating the possibility of having a quorum of five Business Committee members to conduct business.

At the annual Tribal Council meeting on April 21, 2012, Chairman Wauqua was nominated to be hired as the Tribal Administrator.  Of 492 members voting, Mr. Wauqua received the 226 votes (46%) and Mr. Komacheet received next highest number with 160 votes (35%).  After Chairman Wauqua announced he had been hired on the plurality vote, he continued to chair the meeting and denied two separate motions to hold a run-off selection vote for the Administrator position.

Article V § 9 of the Constitution states the Tribal Council “hires” the Tribal Administrator, the Business Committee supervises the Administrator, and that “members of the Business Committee shall not be an employee of the tribal government.”  The Tribal Administrator is not an elected office created by the Constitution.  The Administrator is an “employee” of the tribal government supervised by the Business Committee.  The Constitution expressly forbids Mr. Wauqua from serving as both Tribal Administrator and Chairman at the same time.  When Mr. Wauqua accepted the Tribal Administrator position, the Constitution made his office as Chairman vacant, as though he was recalled on April 21.

Mr. Wauqua presided over the three illegally convened Recall Meetings held on April 26 after the Constitution made his office vacant.  Those attending the meeting voted to recall three more Business Committee members.  If valid, this action destroyed the Comanche Nation government.

After having accepted and assumed the Tribal Administrator position on April 21, Mr. Wauqua maintains he is still the Chairman until a successor is elected.  Immediately prior to convening the recall meeting April 26, Mr. Wauqua stated multiple times that he was the Chairman and had also assumed the duties of Tribal Administrator.  Thus, he declared himself to be serving as a CBC member and employee, simultaneously, in direct violation of the Constitution.  Mr. Wauqua acting as Chairman has now declared a former employee, Willie Owens, is the Tribal Administrator, contrary to the vote of the Tribal Council April 21.  However, Willie Owens was not nominated for Administrator on April 21 and his employment as Administrator ended on April 21 when the Tribal Council hired Mr. Wauqua.  Again, the Constitution places the hiring of Tribal Administrator in the hands of the Tribal Council, and forbids the assumption of dual roles. .

As a result of this unconstitutional assumption of power by Mr. Wauqua, he has consolidated and exerted authority over the Comanche Nation Law Enforcement, the Comanche Nation Election Board, the Comanche Enrollment Department, and the Comanche IT Department.  He has assumed physical control over the Comanche Nation Complex and may be attempting to access bank accounts and order payment of tribal funds without proper authority.  Tribal programs, tribal funds, and the enforcement of law and order within the Tribe’s jurisdiction have been compromised.

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By Eleanor McDaniel
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Recall petitions are initiated and processed through the Enrollment Department of the Comanche Nation.  The Enrollment Director is responsible for administering the process in accordance with the adopted Petition Ordinance.  Upon receipt of a completed petition the Enrollment Director shall provide certification as to the validity of signature…s on the petition in accordance with the Petition Ordinance.  The Comanche Business Committee shall decide only on the matter concerning signatures which cannot be resolved by the Comanche Enrollment Director and decide whether a petition does or does not comply with all provisions of the Petition Ordinance.  I completed 6 recall petitions that had well over 200 valid signatures.  The Enrollment Director certified that all six were valid petitions in accordance with all provisions of the Petition Ordinance.  Only non-compliance with any provisions of the Petition Ordinance would cause the petitions to be null and void.  The six CBC members voted to null and void their own recall petitions.  The enrollment director certified that the recall petition were in compliance with all provisions of the Petition Ordinance.  The CBC had no grounds of non-compliance with any part of the Petition Ordinance.  The CBC cannot null and void a recall petition simply because they don’t want to be recalled.  The Tribal Attorneys and the recalled CBC have tried to interpret our laws to suit their own personal agendas.  The six recalled CBC members are in denial and continue to create turmoil like what caused them to be removed.  The Comanches were fed up and they voted to recalled them all. The Comanche Tribal Constitution simply provides that upon receipt of a valid petition for a recall the Comanche Tribal Chairman shall call an official meeting of the Comanche Tribal Council within 30 days.  The constitution further states that a majority vote of the meeting shall be sufficient to effect the recall providing a quorum is present.  Under the constitution a quorum shall consist of one hundred and fifty (150) eligible voters.  On April 26, 2012, when the vote was taken well over 200 tribal members were present even after those that did not want to participate left the building.  All provisions of the Comanche Constitution and the Petition Ordinance were met and the recall shall stand.  The tribal attorneys Hobb Strauss Dean and Walker are taking sides with the recalled CBC members against the Nation and are interfering with our tribal government.  They have incited turmoil by misleading the CBC to believe they have grounds to protest the recall and have misinterpreted the actions of the Chairman which are definite grounds to be removed as tribal attorneys for the Comanche Nation.  A motion and majority vote of the General Council shall be sufficient to effect removal of HSDW as tribal attorneys. Under the constitution ARTICLE XII, Section 1., the Chairman shall be the Chief Executive of the Comanche Nation exercising the authorities and powers as delegated to his office by the constitution and the Comanche Tribal Council.  He shall preside at all meetings of the Tribal Council unless he is being recalled.  Therefore it is the same for all other CBC.  They cannot preside over their own recall.  Robert Tippconnie could not preside over his own recall meeting.  Tippeconnie had no authority to adjourn the meeting just because he did not want to face his own recall.  HSDW cannot get it right.  HSDW made Tippeconnie, Komahcheet and Kosechequetah believe they had authority to deem the recall meetings invalid. William Norman of HSDW has publicly misinterpreted our Constitution by stating we have a one meeting on one day rule.  The Comanche Tribal Constitution clearly states that the recall of only one officer or committeeman may be initiated per meeting called for this purpose.  We had three recall meetings on one day.  Each recall meeting was called to order after establishing a quorum was present, we voted and the meeting was adjourned.  We went through the same process three times on the 19th of April and on the 26th of April.  There is no rule that prevents us from have three meeting in one day.  Again, HSDW just cannot get it right.  The chairman’s position shall not be vacated until after the election process is completed.  Under the constitution should an incumbent of the CBC accept a nomination for a different office he shall resign his office.  The resignation shall not be effective until the completion of the election process.  Now that all CBC members are recalled the Chairman is in command of the Comanche Nation until all vacancies are filled to include the Chairman’s position.  Johnny Wauqua is still the Chairman until after the elections. Under the constitution the Chairman is the CEO and at one time was over all areas of the government.  Our constitution was amended on April 28, 1994 to provide for a Tribal Administrator elected by the Tribal Council.  Under the advice HSDW the six CBC members violated the constitution by wrongfully suspending Willie Owens as TA and hiring Darla Sankadota as Acting TA.  The exclusive authority to hire a TA belongs to the Tribal Council.  By the constitution and the Tribal Council, the Chairman is still the CEO and has the authority to act in the best interest of the Nation.  Under the circumstances, as Chairman and CEO of the Nation he has made a command decision to place Willie Owens as Tribal Administrator until such time that Chairman Wauqua can assume the position of TA as elected by the Tribal Council. Comanche Law Enforcement failed to adhere to any direction to remove Komahcheet, Kosechequetah and Tippeconnie for disruption of the meeting.  Law Enforcement failed to intervene while Chairman Wauqua was being attacked by Komahcheet, Kosechequetah and Tippeconnie.  I walked up to the microphone to deliver my bill of particulars and Tippeconnie tried to grab the microphone out of my hand so he could announce the meeting was over.  After those that did not want to participate left the building the recall meetings continued and Komahcheet, Kosechequetah and Tippeconnie were recalled by a majority vote of the Tribal Council.  Any future acts of insubordination by Law Enforcement should be immediate grounds for termination.  I spoke to Lonnie Emahoolah of Bureau of Indian Affairs, Tribal Government regarding the actions of Law Enforcement.  Mr Emahoolah stated that Law Enforcement shall be under the direction of the TA just like any other program contracted through the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Because we are a sovereign nation and this is an inter-tribal dispute the Bureau of Indian Affairs will not intervene.  Only by our constitution and our adopted ordinances shall we find our own resolve.  I took out the petitions but a lot of Comanches agreed with me. The Comanche People were fed up with our leadership and lost trust in the CBC.  The CBC members are responsible for their own recalls due to poor leadership.

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RECALL COMPLETE:  All CBC members voted out (except for Chairman Johnny Wauqua):

APRIL 26, 2012

Robert Komahcheet Jr.
Committeeman No.4     148 yes    50  no.   Voted out

Darrell Kosechequetah
Committeeman No.3      162 yes   59 no.   Voted out

Robert Tippeconnie
Secretary/Treasurer       156 yes  72 no.   Voted out

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NOTICE OF ELECTION
March 15, 2012

Dear Comanche Nation Voter:

The Comanche Nation Election Board sends this Notice of Election to ensure that all eligible voters receive an opportunity to vote in the upcoming General Election scheduled for May 19, 2012. Prior to the Election, a General Council Meeting will be held on April 21, 2012. At the General Council Meeting, nominations will be accepted for candidates for:
Comanche Nation Chairman and Vice-Chairman, also Election Board At-Large Member

THERE WILL BE NO POLLING LOCATIONS FOR THIS ELECTION. A BALLOT WILL BE MAILED TO EACH ELIGIBLE COMANCHE NATION VOTER ON April 27, 2012. YOUR VOTED BALLOT MUST BE RECEIVED AT THE LAWTON OKLAHOMA POST OFFICE NO LATER THAN 12:00 PM ON SATURDAY, MAY 19, 2012. BALLOTS MAY NOT BE DELIVERED IN PERSON.

Voters requiring information regarding the election may contact the Election Board office at the Comanche Nation Complex between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.

• By calling the Election Board at (580) 492-3701 or toll free at 1-(877) 492-4988.
• By fax at (580) 492-3702.
• By writing to: Comanche Nation Election Board, P.O. Box 1289 Lawton, OK 73502.
• By going to www.comanchenation.com

Ballots must be received by mail in the Lawton Post Office no later than 12 Noon on Election Day. Ballots will not be accepted In-Person by the Election Board.
The Comanche Nation Election Board encourages you to exercise your right to vote.

Comanche Nation Election Board

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Comanche Media reports from Eleanor McDaniel:
The unofficial count of signatures on all six petitions is:
Ed Eschiti – 281
Yonny Terry – 270
Robert Komahcheet – 271
Darrell Kosechequetah – 273
Ron RedElk – 275
Robert Tippeconnie – 275
I promised my daughter to do everything I could to recall the six CBC that close the funeral home. Her father passed when the funeral home was closed. Comanche Nation Funeral took him the night he passed and when the family went to the funeral home to make his final arrangements they were told that the funeral home was closed and they had to take him somewhere else. More pain and suffering was imposed on the family because our leadership allowed our funeral home to be closed. Putting our loved ones away with dignity is the greatest service that we provided to our Comanche People. There is not excuse for the wrong that was done to close the funeral home and terminate Toby Blackstar and all Tribal employees from the funeral. Toby Blackstar was terminated and Maryilyn Hathaway and Sharlene Eschiti were left to run the Comanche Nation Funeral Home. Maryilyn Hathaway was put in charge with an expired license and the State of Oklahome had to shut down the funeral home.
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CLINTON DAILY NEWS
Comanche Member Kristopher Wermy wins Bronze Star and decorated for role in six combat engagements
He is the son of Roberta
and Glenn Wermy of Clinton Okla.
To read more here is the link:

http://www.clintondailynews.com/daily_pages/2012-02-08.pdf

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USMC Lt. Col. Dave S. Portillo is the son of the late Raymond C. Portillo, also USMC Lt. Col.  Raymond C Portillo was the son of Anacleto “George” Portillo, who was the son of Ygnacio Portillo, who was the son of Cruz Portillo–Bad Eagle.  Raymond had five sisters:  Virginia, Edna Marie, Norma Juanita, Amanda Louise, and Ernestine.  Norma (d. 2005) was the mother of David A. Yeagley.  David Yeagley and Dave Portillo are cousins.  Dave Portillo has two brothers and three sisters:  Bruce, Randy, Denise, Renee, and Nanette.  Randy also served in the Marines.   Dave and all his siblings are enrolled Comanches, together with all their children.
Raymond C. Portillo, 1945, as young Marine officer.

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ARTICLE X – BILL OF RIGHTS

(Pursuant to Amendment XXII, adopted September 29, 1984, and Amendment XXIV and Amendment XXV, adopted June 29, 1985)

Section 1. All members of the Comanche Nation shall enjoy without hindrance freedom of worship, conscience, speech, press, assembly and association.

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Comanchemedia interviews Grandfield okla city manager Randy Clark
comanchemedia interviews Grandfield okla city manager Randy Clark
www.ustream.tvComanchemedia interviews Grandfield okla city manager Randy Clark:Randy Clark Grandfield okla city manager interviews and gives information regarding up co…
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Comanche Business Committee:  A New Dictatorship?
According to the Lawton Constitution, The Comanche Nation’s business committee (CBC) ruled that all future elections would be conducted by absentee ballot.  The nation’s Election Board disputed the ruling, but, apparently the CBC overruled.  This is the story from the newspaper.  This CBC decision was the implementation of a resolution that was passed during the January 7 CBC meeting.

The question to be asked pertains to “passing” of the resolution.  The members of the Comanche nation, the people, are apparently presently uninformed of this resolution, and certainly were not given opportunity to vote on it.  There is a natural mistrust in the absentee ballot system, and always has been.  It is not at all likely that the Comanche people, the Tribal Council, would ever have passed such a resolution.  The Lawton Constitution’s headline reads: “Tribe votes to switch to all absentee voting.”  No such vote ever occurred.  The issue was never brought before the Tribal Council.

It could be that the CBC is attempting to simplify the tribal decision-making process.  However, this is debatable, and should be brought before the “supreme governing body” of the tribe—the Comanche Tribal Council, that is, the Comanche people, the voting members of the tribe.  See Comanche Constitution, Article IV, Section 1.   Section 7 a. (of Article IV) indicates that the Tribal Council has the authority over expenditure of funds.   If the CBC thinks which absentee ballots would save the tribe money, that is their opinion, and it may be true.  But it is the Tribal Council which has the authority to decide whether to spend money on voting polls.

Judging from the events of the 2010 General Council Meeting, during which time the Comanche people were denied opportunity to vote, or to even discuss many critical issues, such as the budget items, it would seem that the CBC is moving toward the elimination of the established proceedings of the General Council meeting.  This, of course, is without the consent of the General Council.

 

Submitted by ComancheMedia

Nick Tahchawwickah

David Yeagley

 

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CALLING THE PRAYER WARRIORS!!!
 Friends and family,please be in prayer for my Cuzzin Glenda,her Husband Joe is at lAWTON SouthWestern Hospital in ICU. Also be in prayer for my relative Rodney Tahchawwickah hes fighting a bad case of pneumonia and is not doing well,hes in the ICU at Lawton Memorial Hospital.Thank you!

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March 28, 2012:  From Eleanor McDaniel                  PETITION STATUS

The unofficial count of signatures on all six petitions is:

Ed Eschiti – 281

Yonny Terry – 270

Robert Komahcheet – 271

Darrell Kosechequetah – 273

Ron RedElk – 275

Robert Tippeconnie – 275

I promised my daughter to do everything I could to recall the six CBC that close the funeral home.  Her father passed when the funeral home was closed.  Comanche Nation Funeral took him the night he passed and when the family went to the funeral home to make his final arrangements they were told that the funeral home was closed and they had to take him somewhere else.  More pain and suffering was imposed on the family because our leadership allowed our funeral home to be closed.  Putting our loved ones away with dignity is the greatest service that we provided to our Comanche People. There is not excuse for the wrong that was done to close the funeral home and terminate Toby Blackstar and all Tribal employees from the funeral.  Toby Blackstar was terminated and Maryilyn Hathaway and Sharlene Eschiti were left to run the Comanche Nation Funeral Home.  Maryilyn Hathaway was put in charge with an expired license and the State of Oklahome had to shut down the funeral home.      

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March 16, 2012   from Eleanor McDaniel

Asa Attocknie the voice of the Comanche Nation Administration called me this morning at 9:40 am to let me know that I will NOT be able to hold the Community Meeting that was planned for Monday at Watchetaker Hall. The dictatorship is taking away our right to cast our votes in person and is now denying our right to assembly. The Comanche Constitution under ARTICLE X – BILL OF RIGHTS, Section 1., provides that: All members of the Comanche Nation shall enjoy without hindrance freedom of worship, conscience, speech, press, assembly and association.
A protest rally will be held Saturday from 9:00 am to whenever in the Cache City Park. All 6 recall petitions shall be available for for signature. Donations of food and drinks for the day would greatly be appreciated

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A community meeting

will be held at the Comanche Nation Headquarters on Monday, March 19th at 6:00 pm in Watchetaker Hall. The topic of discussion will be the CBC Resolution #108-11 with attached proposed amendments to the Comanche Tribal Constitution. CBC Resolution #108-11 was submitted by the CBC to the BIA without the knowledge and consent of the Comanche People. Proposed amendments include changing the blood quantum to 1/4, CBC shall have the authority to hire (Tribal administrator, controller, chief financial officer), no term limits for CBC and 400 signatures required for recall petitions. The CBC included in the propose annual budget a line item of $240,000 for CBC Salaries. The CBC passed resolution #150-11 that includes action to take away the rights of tribal members to go …to the polls to cast their vote in person and adoption of an Election Ordinance. The new Election Ordinace contains numerous punishments for voting violations that will fine tribal members up to $1,000 and 1 year incarceration. The CBC passed resolution #150-11 to require an “All Mail In Voting” without the knowledge and consent of the Comanche People. The CBC acted to illegally supend TA Willie Owens and without proper authority hired Darla Sankadota as Acting TA. CBC allowed Acting TA to harrass and terminate many employees and allowed the Acting TA to hire without going through proper Human Resources procedures. 6 petitions to recall Robert Tippeconnie, Ed Eschiti, Ron RedElk, Yonavea Terry, Darrell Kosechequetah and Robert Komahcheet are circulation. To sign petitions contact Eleanor McDaniel at (580) 429-3430 or 483-6864. You can go to comanchetribalcouncilforum.com for details.

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Remember the Money night meeting the Election Board called? Please see this link: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/20804181

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ELECTION BOARD CHAIRMAN

 

NICK PLATA RESIGNS

 

Tribe votes to switch to all absentee voting

 

FROM THE LAWTON CONSTITUTION
The Comanche Nation Business Committee and tribe’s election board butted heads Friday night over a resolution that all future voting is done by absentee ballot.

Election Board Chairman Nick Plata said that, after hearing from him and other members of the board, the CBC approved implementing a resolution it passed during its Jan. 7 meeting. In it, the resolution changes the tribe’s election ordinance to make future balloting, including the upcoming officer and line-item budget election in May, all absentee.

All CBC members except Chairman Johnny Wauqua were present before the meeting’s start. The Constitution was provided with minutes from the meeting by the Comanche Election Board. The election board was present to object to the resolution’s implementation

 

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MEMBERS OF THE COMANCHE NATION PROTEST!

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March 11, 2012

COMANCHEMEDIA  Wire:

As of yesterday, March 10, Saturday, the Comanche Nation Funeral Home was closed.  This is the word called in to ComancheMedia.

We note:  last month, around the third week in February, there was an official announcement from the Comanche Nation Economic Development Board of Directors that the Economic Development department would be shut down, but that this shut down “will not affect the Comanche Nation Funeral Home, which will remain open, but down-sizing has been implemented there.”

Current reports say that the Funeral Home:

1) failed to renew its license to operate

2) failed to pay the licensing fees

3) simply ran out of money

These reports suggest serious questions.

First of all, why did the Board of Directors specifically say that the Funeral Home would remain open?   The Home has been in operation for many years now.  Those in charge of the Home surely knew the required licensing laws and fees.  It could not be negligence or oversight on their part to fail to renew the license or pay the fees.  They have been doing this for many years.  This is not a mistake or an error.

If the Home simply ran out of money, then the question is how and why?  What has happened between that announcement in February, which said the Home would stay open, and these recent reports that say the Home is closed?

ComancheMedia has received reports that the Comanche Nation has purchased two golf courses in the area (The Hummingbird and another course).  ComancheMedia has been told by two unrelated sources that The Comanche Nation has given $250-300,000 to the son of Robert Tippiconnie for the production of a documentary film on Quanah Parker.  We have not confirmed which Comanche Nation department provided the money for these golf courses and documentary production.   We merely observe that the Funeral Home is far more important to Comanche people than either golf or movies.  We also observe that the Comanche people were not consulted in either case—except for the movie.  At General Council (April 2011), the people vehemently voted “no funding” for the specific movie in question.

ComancheMedia receives calls and emails on a regular basis regarding news of the tribe.  We cannot process all of them, but these recent matters, the shut down of the Funeral Home, the golf courses, and the movie, demand our attention.  The full facts are not evident, nor available for the asking.  We lack details because details are not released, not shared with the people, and not made available to the peoples’ news.

Contact ComancheMedia:

Nick Tahchawwickah

n_tahchawwickah@yahoo.com

469-360-9874

Dr. David Yeagley

badeaglefoundation@yahoo.com

405 942 1636

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The Comanche Nation News
Official Statement from the Comanche Economic Board of Directors:

The Comanche Economic Development Commissioner’s Board of Directors has taken the necessary action to basically close down Economic Development due to a financial deficient we inherited. Delphine Nelson has been laid off as President/CEO.
This will not affect the Comanche Nation Funeral Home, which will remain open, but downsizing …

has been implemented there. Some other businesses may continue to work to fulfill job commitments and contracts.
This has been a very difficult decision on the part of the Directors, as we know it affects many Comanche families. We also know this was not the fault of the employees, as most had no idea the financial situation was so dire. This decision was made to stop the huge profit losses that were accruing.
We were appointed to our position by a legally called CBC meeting with a legal quorum present. At our first meeting we vowed to be good stewards of Your Comanche Money. We hope we have your support.
The Board of Directors:
Gary Tahmahkera, Chairman; Charles Wells, Vice Chairman; Jarrett Jackson, Secretary/Treasurer; Susan Cothren & Barbra Goodin
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Eleanor McDaniel: Recall Robert Tippeconnie

ComancheMedia is for all Comanches members to use.  It is a simple communication network for all tribal members.  ComancheMedia takes no sides, but seeks to present all sides, without prejudice.  EDITORS.

From:  Eleanor McDaniel

Bad Leaders will do bad things no matter how good the laws are.  Our constitution may need some changes but what is needed right now is to rid our government of Bad Leadership.  VOTE TO RECALL Robert Tippeconnie for a better tribal government.

CBC Oath of Office Comanche Tribal Constitution ARTICLE XVI – OATH OF OFFICE
Section.  Each member of the business committee and each officer or subordinate officer elected or appointed shall take an oath of office and pledge himself to support and defend the constitution of the Comanche Nation of Oklahoma prior to assuming the duties of his office.  The following form of oath shall be given.
“I,_____________________________________________________________do hereby
Solemnly affirm before Almighty God and mankind that I will support and defend the constitution of the Comanche Nation, and will carry out faithfully and impartially the duties of my office to the best of my ability and will promote and protect the best interests of the Comanche Nation in accordance with the tribal constitution.
Comanche Constitution ART II – PURPOSE
Section 1.  To define, establish and safe guard the rights and powers and privileges of the tribe and its members.
Section 2.  To improve the economic, moral, educational and health status of its members and to cooperate with and seek the assistance of the United States in carrying out mutual programs to accomplish these purposes by all possible means.
Section 3. To promote in other way the common well-being of the tribe and its membership.
We must immediately recall Robert Tippeconnie for numerous violations of the constitution to including his oath of office, taking action to violate the rights of tribal members and gross failure to improve the economic, moral, educational and health status of members of the Comanche Nation.  The greater majority of the Comanche People are unemployed, homeless, hungry, sick and dying like flies yet Robert Tippeconnie continues sign checks for unbudget costs and then cuts direct service to tribal members.  He approves millions of gaming dollars in capital improvement at the complex and makes numerous cuts in the HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.  While the complex looks pretty our tribal members have to hope their homes don’t fall apart.  Millions and Millions are budgeted for Economic Development, Land Acquisitions, Comanche Enterprise and Law Enforcement and yet our leadership fails to adequately fund a Work Program and put our People to work.  ONLY a select few benefit from the millions and millions of dollars spent on worthless ventures.  Not one penny in return.
Under a bogus Election Ordinance Robert Tippeconnie acted to deny me my powers and privileges and acted to violate my rights under the law.  I suffered a great injustice by having been unjustly denied the right to run for office in last years election.  I participated in previous elections as a certified candidate.  Nothing in my background records ever changed.  With approval from Robert Tippeconnie the Acting Election Board Chairman Nick Plata did wrongfully and acted maliciously to remove me as a candidate.  Nick Plata failed to run a credible election by running the election under a direct conflict of interest that hired Hobb, Staus, Dean and Walker (HSDW) as the tribal law firm.  John Plata is Nick Plata’s Son.  John Plata is an attorney for HSDW.  Also, Nick Plata allowed me as a voter to be accosted and acted to deny me the right to take my own ballot.  I was unjustly brought to court for criminal charges of Unlawful Balloting by Comanche Nation Prosecutor Rylan Rivas who acted on a complaint from the Election Board and members of the CBC.  They were bogus and unlawful criminal charges under a bogus election ordinance created by HSDW.  Prosecutor Rylan Rivas’s first cousin is John Plata, Attorney for HSDW.  It was a conflict of interest for him to try to inforce bogus laws created by the firm that employs his relative and trying to impose an ordinance that did not comply with the CFR court he is employed with.  They kept me in court for 7 months.  A very vicious attempt to railroad me but I prevailed.  I’m back!
This goes back to Election Day May, 2011.  On Election Day I went to the Comanche Nation polling site in Cache, Oklahoma at the Cahoma Building .  I walked in and signed for my ballot.  I sat down at a table to fill out my ballot.  I saw several discrepancies.  I decided not to vote.  I folded up my ballot and was walking out.  Sandra Chasenah asked if I voted.  I said no.  She wanted my ballot.  I said no it’s my ballot and I have questions.  Sandra Chasenah followed me out the door.  Enda Pahcheka came at me and wanted my ballot and I said no.  I stated that I have questions.  As I was getting in my car I didn’t know Edna had come up behind me.  I was getting in my car to leave and I put my purse and my ballot in the passenger seat.  Before I could close my car door Edna was right on me.  Edna tried to forcefully take the ballot.  I said no and leave me alone.   She had pushed herself on me and over me to try to get the ballot.  I had to push her off and away from me and out of my car.  I had to pry her hands off my steering wheel so that I could leave.  Assistant Chief of Law Enforcement, Ron Niedo stood by and watched and did nothing to get her off of me.  I told Edna several times to get away and leave me alone.  I told Edna what is wrong with you, just leave me alone.  I finally got her off of me and I left.  I had to push and push to get her off of me but I did not hit Edna.  Edna Pahcheka lied and stated I hit her.  Ron Niedo had to admit that I did not hit Edna Pahcheka.  As an Election Board member she used very poor judgement.  Edna should have been cited for accosting me and for disorderly conduct.  Edna did not know her job.  I had asked her for another ballot and she refused.   If she knew her job she would have known that there are sample ballots that can be given to anyone that wanted one.  She would not give me a sample ballot.  According to the Election Ordinance adopted on February 25, 2005 there is nothing that prevents a tribal member from taking their ballot from the polling site.
Article VI Section 7, (d), (1) The proposed annual tribal operating budget shall be disseminated to the tribal members 45 days prior to the annual meeting.  This Article of the Constitution was put on the budget every time it was published.
I knew something was wrong and I wanted to compare what was in the General Council Book and what was on the ballot.  I came home to look at the ballot.  I am so glad I decided to bring my ballot home because I found so many discrepancies.  The ballot was wrong.  2012 Budget was published 45 day prior to the April 2011 General Council meeting.  It was published in the Comanche Newsletter, Lawton Constitution and in the General Council Annual Report.  Many of the line items on the ballot were changed from what we got in the newspapers and changed again from what we got in the Annual Report.
Last year the Tribal Council was not allowed to discuss the budget.  The budget was put on the Election Ballot without the consent of the General Council which violated Comanche Nation General Council Resolution 07-16-01.
Comanche Nation General Council Resolution No. 07-16-01 READS:
WHEREAS, the Comanche Nation General Council is responsible for authorization of the expenditure of funds which may be deposited to the exclusive credit to the Comanche Nation.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT “RESOLVED”, That the Comanche Nation General Council permits the CFR COURT OF INDIAN OFFENSES act as the Comanche Tribal Court System in regard to the Tribal Revenue Allocation Plan until a court system is adopted by the Comanche Nation.
If the Comanche People are not allowed to freely and openly discuss our annual budget and any business deemed necessary during the April 2012 Annual General Council meeting then charges should be filed in the CFR Court against those who will not allow for an open and free meeting which is a violation of the Comanche Nation General Council Resolution No. 07-16-01.
As Secretary/Treasurer, Robert Tippeconnie failed to implement the new revenue allocation plan as voted and approved by the General Council.  The new revenue allocation plan would provide tribal members an increase of per capita payment from 40% to 60% of the budget.
Comanche Nation General Council Resolution No. 07-16-01 is attached to this message for your information.
As per Comanche Nation General Council Resolution 07-16-01.  The Comanche Nation General Council is responsible for authorization of the expenditure of funds which may be deposited to the exclusive credit to the Comanche Nation.
I saw that there was no YES or NO vote for the 20% funds.
This item was not allowed to be addressed at annual meeting.
I saw that there was no YES or NO vote for KCA Operating Budget.
This item was not allowed to be addressed at annual meeting.
This mistake had to be covered up by the CBC and Election Board under the direction of Nick Plata by a bogus election held on August 20, 2011.  An unnecessary cost to the Tribe.
See July 27, 2011 Letter
The Comanche People have a right to vote Yes or No on these items.  I suspect Secretary/Treasurer Bob Tippeconnie will invest the 20% funds in his son’s movie and scam the KCA funds.  Bob Tippeconnie is member of the KCA Land Use Committee.
KCA Funds was $131,000                            on the ballot $317,600.
Capital Improvement was $1,866,606            on the ballot $1,966,606.
Economic Development was $700,000          on the ballot $750,000.
EPA was $208,824                                       on the ballot $250,000.
Land Acquisitions was $1,550,000                on the ballot $1,200,000.
Work Force $333,295                                  on the ballot $433,295.
Total Economic Development was $9,635,153
Total Economic Development on the ballot $9,326,329.
Higher Education was $1,148,105                 on the ballot $1,578,105.
Education-Elementary was $60,000               on the ballot was $50,000.
Youth Program was $400,000                       on the ballot to $380,000.
Total Community & Education was $9,540,394
Total Community & Education on the ballot $9,940,394
Total 2012 proposed budget was $24,289,547
Total 2012 proposed budget on the ballot was $24,380,723.
How many time has the budget been change with out our knowledge.  Make sure you check your ballot before you vote.  Why was Bob Tippconnie moving money around and lying to the Comanche People?  Bob Tippeconnie tried to be slick at General Council and put his son’s movie on the budget but the People caught it and demanded it be removed.
What was printed on the ballot is NOT what was provided to the Comanche People and was NOT in accordance with the Comanche Constitution.  There were 5 different versions of that budget published in the tribal newsletter, local newspapers and in the annual report.
Under the Comanche Constitution Article VI, Section 4, no business shall be taken by the CBC except when a quorum is present.  A quorum shall consist of five committeemen.
It is the duties and responsibility of the CBC to develop annual budgets for the financing of Comanche Tribal operations and to present such budgets to the tribal council for final consideration as to adoption or rejection.  The Secretary/Treasurer does not have the authority to act on his own and in his own interest.
On May 24, 2011 Comanche Nation Law Enforcement Officer Navarro was banging on my front door.  I answered the door and he said are you Eleanor McDaniel.  I said yes and he stated he had a citation for me and that I had to appear before the CFR Court on May 31, 2011.  The citation was for unlawful balloting.  I was told I could be fined $1,000 or incarceration in a Comanche Tribal Detention Facility for 1 year.  The Comanche Nation has no detention facility.  Law Enforcement sent Officer Navarro out to harass me and try to impose a law that no one knew existed.  This Bogus Election Ordinance has 910 sections in it and includes 10 offenses that impose $1,000 fines and incarceration for 1 year.  This Unlawful Election Ordinance was created by Hobbs , Straus, Dean and Walker for which I am sure they were well paid.  The old ordinance adopted under resolution 53-05 may have needed a few changes but this bogus Election Ordinance with 910 sections with $1,000 fines and a year incarceration is extreme over kill and beyond.  Even Terry Bruner of the BIA didn’t know his job.  Terry Bruner approved the Bogus Election Ordinance under a Bogus resolution and approved the Election Ordinance even though it did not comply with the Code of Federal Regulations.  This should never be allowed to happen again to any member of the Comanche Nation.  The CBC must protect tribal members according to the Comanche Constitution they swore to uphold.
I was cited with criminal charges and had to deal with court proceeding every month from May 2011 to November 2011.  At last on November 9, 2011 the whole thing was dismissed because the punishments written into the Election Ordinance by the tribal attorneys were unlawful under the Code of Federal Regulations.  This unlawful Election Ordinance must be made null and void.  When Mike Burgess tried to adopt this ordinance the minutes of that CBC meeting show that a quorum was lost.  In the minutes posted on Comanche Nation Website Bob Tippeconnie as Sec/Treas states that they lost quorum making any action null and void without a quorum of the CBC.
Under Article VI, Section 7, (b)  the duties, responsibilities and authorities of the CBC shall be to determine qualifications of candidates nominated for office and to conduct election of tribal officers and business committeemen.  Under the bogus Election Ordinance the Election Board certified the candidates which is in violation of the Comanche Constitution.  The Election Board does not adhere to term limits.  Some election board members have been on the Election Board since 2005.
Under General Council Resolution and Resolution 53-05 Adopted 2005, the Election Board shall remain a subordinate body under the direction of the Business Committee.  The CBC is responsible for the actions of the Election Board.  The CBC must exercise Election Board oversite to ensure for the credible election and safeguard our most important right as tribal members our right to vote for who will lead us and the right to decide how our gaming dollars will be spent.  This coming April as per Comanche Nation General Council Resolution 07-16-01 tribal members should be allowed to openly and freely address the budget and conduct any business it deems necessary.  Under Roberts Rules of Order the will of the People must rule
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Letter to the Editor, LawtonConstitution                                                    Submitted April 10, 2012

by Lanny Asepermy, Former CBC Member

In recent weeks I am saddened and embarrassed reading “negative” news about the Comanche Nation in this newspaper and from what I understand the Oklahoma City newspaper and on KSWO-TV.

Recalling (removing from office) six of the elected members of the Business Committee (CBC) because 270+ members of the Nation signed a petition with a Bill of Particulars (charges), which I have read, are beyond my belief.  I guess the people who signed the petition didn’t have much to read as 5 of the Bill of Particulars are almost exactly the same except for the names – didn’t know we had quintuplets in the Nation.  The charges, too me, are half-truths, rumors, unsubstantiated, made up, gossip and in some case down right lies.  Recall them if they lied to, stole from or cheated the Comanche people or broke the laws of the land not because of a personal vendetta.

If the recall process proceeds and a quorum of 250 Nation members are present to vote, the vote isn’t about the charges, it’s about who has the most family and friends present.  Comanches know that.  If ever we need a Constitutional amendment this would be a priority.

I don’t believe these 5 men and woman are guilty of the bogus charges. What the CBC has done collectively over the past year is righted many wrongs (especially the procurement and contract process), made changes where needed (when millions of dollars are being mismanaged), and enforced our laws to give all Comanches equal standing not just a select few.  Uncovering and correcting past governmental mismanagement practices seems to be one of their goals.

I received a joint informational letter, in the mail, from the CBC explaining the current status of the Nation.  Facts and goals were reported.  The petitioner says their letter is propaganda.  I think her information is the propaganda as she has encouraged a particular synthesis and used loaded messages to produce emotional rather than rational responses to her information.  A perfect example, in an email, from the petitioner states “the greater majority of the Comanche people are unemployed, homeless, hungry, sick and dying” which she says is the fault of the CBC – this is a totally unqualified statement that holds no substance yet readers will believe what she has written.  During the past year and a half this same rogue petitioner has filed ten recalls on seven members of the Business Committee (past and present).   

Numunu (Comanches) think really hard about this – if these recalls go through it could lead to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to deem our tribal government dysfunctional and order the government to cease operation.  Many of the 638 programs will suffer while this happens.  In addition, this would put our gaming operations in jeopardy.  According to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and Minimum Internal Control Standards regulations if a tribal government is deemed dysfunctional the National Indian Gaming Commission can order our gaming operations to be shut down.  They will be closed until the BIA states the Comanche Nation’s tribal government is in a functional working condition. This has happened to other tribes, do we want that?  I certainly hope not.

Submitted by Lanny Asepermy Former CBC member

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