Community Presidents Updated on Election, Law Enforcement
April 8, 2017
By Vi Waln
ROSEBUD - A Special Election to fill a vacancy on the Rosebud Sioux Tribal Council is likely to be held in May, according to an update provided by the Election Board.
The election will be held to fill the Ring Thunder council representative vacancy. The position became available after the March 28 removal of Patti Douville. The Election Code, Ordinance 86-10, requires a special election because there is more than 1 year remaining in the term.
“The Tribal Council has to set a special election within 30 days,” stated Ronald Neiss, Election Board Chairman. “We are recommending the election be scheduled for May 25.” He spoke at a meeting of the Community Presidents Association (CPA). The final date for the election will be determined by the Tribal Council.
88 judges will oversee 21 polling sites for this Special Election. Sites will be located in each of the 20 communities and the Sicangu Village. Community officials were reminded to get their local election committees in place.
The Election Board will soon open their office at the Tribal Utility Commission building in Mission. In addition to Neiss, other board members include Myrtle Lafferty, Angie Fast Horse, Bernadette Oliver and Tonia R. Marshall.
Rachel Kent, REDCO Food Sovereignty Initiative, also spoke to the CPA members. She asked for help in identifying local elders who carry traditional knowledge about food to assist with the project. She also announced the availability for several local youth to work as summer interns with the community garden and upcoming farmer’s markets. Participants must be at least 18 years of age. Interested persons can contact her or Mike Prate at 856-8406.
An important topic on the agenda was crime. “Grass Mountain has had an epidemic of break-ins,” stated Calvin “Hawkeye” Waln, RST Police Captain. Law enforcement is currently investigating several tribal citizens for their alleged involvement in area break-ins.
Meth use on the Rosebud was also addressed. “If you hear of someone dealing meth, please let us know,” stated Officer Waln. He stated that law enforcement will investigate every individual who is named. When a meth dealer realizes they are being looked at, “either they will continue to sell meth or they will stop,” he said.
During the week of March 13-20, Rosebud’s officers answered 516 calls for service and made 62 arrests. A disturbing report by the Captain Waln addressed the number of bogus calls the department gets. “It’s one of the biggest obstacles [to public safety] that we are fighting now,” he said.
Another issue law enforcement must contend with are juveniles out at all hours of the night. There was once a time when Rosebud’s police officers would notify parents to get their teenagers off the street at night or face charges. Today, “we don’t have the cooperation to file Child Neglect charges” he reported.
CPA members also listed to a report on recent violence involving several families. A motion excerpt from an April 3 community meeting was referred to the CPA concerning ongoing violent instances in Antelope. Law enforcement was present at a recent community meeting in Antelope which involved public threats between people in attendance.
Captain Waln urged tribal citizens to report crimes. He can be reached on his cell phone at 840-8221. You can also report criminal activity by dialing 747-2266 or 747-5928.
April 8, 2017
By Vi Waln
ROSEBUD - A Special Election to fill a vacancy on the Rosebud Sioux Tribal Council is likely to be held in May, according to an update provided by the Election Board.
The election will be held to fill the Ring Thunder council representative vacancy. The position became available after the March 28 removal of Patti Douville. The Election Code, Ordinance 86-10, requires a special election because there is more than 1 year remaining in the term.
“The Tribal Council has to set a special election within 30 days,” stated Ronald Neiss, Election Board Chairman. “We are recommending the election be scheduled for May 25.” He spoke at a meeting of the Community Presidents Association (CPA). The final date for the election will be determined by the Tribal Council.
88 judges will oversee 21 polling sites for this Special Election. Sites will be located in each of the 20 communities and the Sicangu Village. Community officials were reminded to get their local election committees in place.
The Election Board will soon open their office at the Tribal Utility Commission building in Mission. In addition to Neiss, other board members include Myrtle Lafferty, Angie Fast Horse, Bernadette Oliver and Tonia R. Marshall.
Rachel Kent, REDCO Food Sovereignty Initiative, also spoke to the CPA members. She asked for help in identifying local elders who carry traditional knowledge about food to assist with the project. She also announced the availability for several local youth to work as summer interns with the community garden and upcoming farmer’s markets. Participants must be at least 18 years of age. Interested persons can contact her or Mike Prate at 856-8406.
An important topic on the agenda was crime. “Grass Mountain has had an epidemic of break-ins,” stated Calvin “Hawkeye” Waln, RST Police Captain. Law enforcement is currently investigating several tribal citizens for their alleged involvement in area break-ins.
Meth use on the Rosebud was also addressed. “If you hear of someone dealing meth, please let us know,” stated Officer Waln. He stated that law enforcement will investigate every individual who is named. When a meth dealer realizes they are being looked at, “either they will continue to sell meth or they will stop,” he said.
During the week of March 13-20, Rosebud’s officers answered 516 calls for service and made 62 arrests. A disturbing report by the Captain Waln addressed the number of bogus calls the department gets. “It’s one of the biggest obstacles [to public safety] that we are fighting now,” he said.
Another issue law enforcement must contend with are juveniles out at all hours of the night. There was once a time when Rosebud’s police officers would notify parents to get their teenagers off the street at night or face charges. Today, “we don’t have the cooperation to file Child Neglect charges” he reported.
CPA members also listed to a report on recent violence involving several families. A motion excerpt from an April 3 community meeting was referred to the CPA concerning ongoing violent instances in Antelope. Law enforcement was present at a recent community meeting in Antelope which involved public threats between people in attendance.
Captain Waln urged tribal citizens to report crimes. He can be reached on his cell phone at 840-8221. You can also report criminal activity by dialing 747-2266 or 747-5928.