LTBB for Truth and Accountability

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Wow...

Wow! It is November already! I have so many things that I want to place on this blog but I have been very busy. I went to Council this past weekend (6^th). Councilor Keshick was sworn in. In the afternoon session the lobbyists’ from Lansing, Noel LaPorte, and Washington D.C., Lydia Hoffner, were here and gave a reports. The reports were very interesting and I will post some of the items that were discussed on my blog in another section.

Yuck! I hit a deer on my way to Harbor Springs between Kalkaska and Mancelona. Did major damage to my vehicle, but it is drivable. I am just glad I did not get hurt and the car behind me was able to avoid hitting it as well..he swerved and just missed the body of it!

I am also pleased to announce that I wrote a Statute that was accepted by all 9 Councilors and is being placed on the legislative calendar. It is for legal aid for all Tribal Citizens. This service will not take anything criminal and cannot be used or against the Tribe (ie. Wills, divorces, custody, DNA testing, real estate transactions etc.) I am going to post the full copy of the Draft Statute here as well.

There were several Citizens there in the morning session I suspect for the swearing in of Councilor Keshick, but in the afternoon, there was only me and one other person.

I am still tallying up stipend amounts from 2009 and 2010. As soon as I finish, I will post them. In my opinion it is ridiculous to send the same people over and over to the same conferences. You will see that a few of the Councilors do not attend many at all. It seems to be the same few that go, go, go.

Well, I had better sign off for now. I have many Christmas projects to work on as well.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Mandated Compensation for Tribal Council #2010 - 017

Hello,
Recently the State of Michigan Legislators took a 10% pay cut across the board from Representatives to Senators because of the economy.

Our Tribal Council gave themselves a 10% raise. To attend 2 worksessions and 2 Council meetings they are making a bit over $52.00 an hour. Now this figure is for a 8 hour workday. I know for a fact that many of the Workshops(on Saturdays) and Council Meetings (Sunday) are not 8 hours long. Sometimes Councilors are late, leave early or do not show...yet they get their check. They also get stipends again..(Please go to this link when you get time...http://www.ltbbodawa-nsn.gov/OdawaRegister/Legislative/Statutes/2010/W.O.S.%20No.%202010-017%20Constitutionally%20Mandated%20Compensation%20for%20Tribal%20Council%20Members.pdf )

They are entitled to retirement benefits that are the same as Tribal Government employees. Do we want lifetime politicians running our government?

We elected them, we are paying them, we need to make them accountable...They need to show attendance records(when they arrive and leave) and get paid for the hours they are there. They need to be docked pay for not showing at all. Councilor's that live out of the area should only be compensated for their mileage and hotel (if needed) and not a per deim at $2.15 an hour from the time they leave home until they return home.

What do you think?

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Welcome!

I hope we can all use this site in a positive and construcive way. I hope that you will tell all your friends and family members about this site.

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We will be sending information out in the next several months on where you can sign referumdums and we will be having meetings on occassion, hopefully throughout the state. Remember, if you mail this site link to one relative and they send it to another and so forth.......we will have many more citizens aware and willing to vote on decisions that will effect them. If you do not want your email address posted on here...just send it to me at vonnie456@gmail and I will not post it on here, but I will send you information.

Council Travel from 2010

The following is the traveling and training.

3 Councilors attended the NCAI in April They averaged over $3000.00 each for the 5 day conference that included airfare registration, hotel, mileage and luggage fees. So for over $6000.00 these are the reports that are on record...

"This trip was informative and I met many people. A more detailed report will be given to Council at a later date"

"I attended the 67th Annual NCAI Conference, "Strong Tribal Nations, Strong America." This 5=day conference focused on carrying on the tradition of strengthening nations by becoming more effective citizens, leaders and governments.

I attend daily general assemblies hosting several speakers on various issues pertinent in Indian Country and also attended various breakout session and the "youth" and "Elder" Honor Luncheons."

I did not receive any information about " a more detailed report to Council at a later date" I looked up the agenda and there were over 50 different areas of discussion and several break out sessions. Was this conference discussed in more detail at work sessions? How did the Tribe benefit?

Did we really need to send two Councilors to this meeting for over $6000.00 and only receive the infotmation in the reports they provided?

I am looking at other information and I will post it soon.

Office of Citizens Legal Assistance

WAGANAKISING ODAWAK STATUTE OFFICE OF CITIZENS LEGAL ASSISTANCE

SECTION I. SHORT TITLE; PURPOSE

A. SHORT TITLE

This statute shall be entitled “The Office of Citizens Legal Assistance.”

B. PURPOSE

The purpose of this statute is to establish the “Office of Citizens Legal Assistance”, hereinafter called the “Office”, in the Enjinaaknegeng (Legal Department). The Office shall assist Tribal Citizens with non-criminal legal issues. The Office shall maintain the attorney-client privilege relationship with respect to all communications between it and any Citizen it services. The Office cannot appear in court with a Tribal Citizen or assist with issues that involve the Tribe, but can assist with providing legal guidance and drafting of documents.

SECTION II. DEFINITIONS

A. “Tribal Council” means the legislative body created under Article VII of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Tribal Constitution.

B. “LTBB” or “Tribe” means the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians or the Waganakising Odawa.

SECTION III. AUTHORITY AND DUTIES

A. The Office of Citizens Legal Assistance is authorized to employ an attorney to provide Tribal Citizens the professional services of legal issues that are not criminal in nature or involve the Tribe, but can assist with providing legal guidance and drafting of documents, including, but not limited to, the following:

· Estate Planning - the drafting of Wills, Power of Attorneys, Medical Power of Attorneys and Trusts;

· Real Estate - assist with the purchase, sale, or transfer of real estate, including foreclosures or forfeitures;

· Landlord/Tennant - assist with evictions or any other issues with a landlord or tenant;

· Divorce/Custody/Support - assist a Tribal Member that is involved in a divorce, has issues with child custody, visitation, or child support;

· Probate of Estates - assist with probating a Will in state or tribal court;

· Criminal Matters – is limited to explaining the legal process;

· Civil Matters – is limited to giving legal advice if the Tribal Citizen is involved in a civil lawsuit, including accusations of abuse or neglect of a child against a parent;

· Paternity, DNA testing, Birth Certificates - can assist Tribal Citizens in establishing paternity, including the use of DNA testing, and making changes to birth certificates;

· Guardianships and Conservatorships - can assist in obtaining Guardianships and Conservatorships for minors or for persons who are unable to care for themselves;

· Driver’s Licenses - can assist Tribal citizens who are trying to get their driver’s license restored through the Secretary of State; and,

· General Legal Advice - can give general legal advice for any type of legal issue that a Tribal Citizen may have except for issues that involve the Tribe.

SECTION IV. STAFFING

A. Tribal Council is authorized to employ an attorney, support staff, and such other positions as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of the Office of Citizens of Legal Assistance at a negotiated salary and shall serve at the pleasure of the General Counsel. The attorney shall hold law degree to fulfill the purpose of the office.

B. All other personnel shall be hired and compensated pursuant to LTBB policies and procedures relative to qualifications, experience, Odawa preference, salaries, etc., and subject to workload requirements and appropriate constraints while answering to the General Counsel.

SECTION V. SAVINGS CLAUSE

In the event that any phrase, provision, part, paragraph, subsection or section of this statute is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to violate the Constitution, laws or ordinances of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, such phrase, provision, part, paragraph, subsection or section shall be considered to stand alone and to be deleted from this statute., of entirety of the balance of the statute to remain in full and binding force and effect.

SECTION VI. EFFECTIVE DATE

Effective upon signature of the Executive or shall be deemed enacted if not expressly vetoed by the Executive within thirty (30) days of submission. The Tribal Council may, by an affirmative vote of seven (7) members of the Tribal Council, override a veto by the executive.

CERTIFICATION

Where is the money coming from? Think about this...All of our Departments would be able to refere a citizen to this advocate often. Family Services--Abuse, Divorce, DNA testing etc. Child welfare -- Guardianships, Foster Care issues to get our children back, Adoptions. Elders -- Wills, estate issues and Conservatorships to help those who are unable to care for them selves...There are many issues that could come up with any department where a citizen may need help. I say that all of the Departments write a percentage of this "Office's" fees in their grants and we could use some of the 638 funding that is left over. (Prior funds?)

This attorney could start out part time or when needed by appointment...there is much that could be worked out. This is something that has been needed for a long time and I was happy that all 9 council members accepted it and put it on the legislative calendar. I am excited that a Statute that I wrote may effect all of us for a long time.