Suquamish Tribe reelects three incumbents at 2012 General Council meeting

SUQUAMISH -- The Suquamish Tribe General Council reelected all three Tribal Council incumbents at the annual General Council meeting and election March 18 at Kiana Lodge.

Each member of the Tribe is a member of the General Council.

Irene Carper was reelected to Council Position No. 1, receiving 187 votes to challenger Bennie Armstrong’s 139. Bardow Lewis was reelected to Council Position No. 2, receiving 123 votes to Nigel Lawrence’s 94, Lois Sullivan’s 75, and Bill Stroud’s 38. Luther “Jay” Mills Jr. ran unopposed for Council Position No. 3.

Tribal Council members serve three-year terms; terms are staggered and positions are on the ballot each March at the General Council meeting. Tribal Council members serve three-year terms. There are four officers and three at-large council members. Council members are Chairman Leonard Forsman, Vice Chairman Chuck Deam, Treasurer Angel Hill, Secretary Randy George, and Carper, Lewis and Mills.

The General Council meets the third Sunday in March every year, and the Tribal Council meets on alternate Mondays and as needed.

The Tribal Council adopts budgets and laws and sets policies related to tribal government, including administration, community development, education, fisheries, human services, law enforcement, natural resources, and youth services.

The Suquamish Tribe is one of the largest employers in Kitsap County. Port Madison Enterprises, the Tribe’s economic development arm, operates Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort, White Horse Golf Club, Kiana Lodge, PME Retail, and a property management division. PME Construction Corporation is a subsidiary of Port Madison Enterprises.

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