UKB Candidates Vie for District Representative Positions

Tahlequah, Okla. -- Filing has closed for candidates running for United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma's district representative positions on the UKB Tribal Council. The election will be held on the first Monday of November, or November 1. Candidates must win by getting 50% plus one vote. If one candidate in a district does not receive a majority, a run off election will be held on the first Monday of December, or 6th. Winners will be sworn in the first Saturday in January.

The UKB Tribal Council is comprised of four officers - Chief, Assistant Chief, Tribal Secretary, and Tribal Treasurer, who serve four year terms and nine District Representatives who serve two year terms.

Sixteen Candidates have filed to fill nine UKB district representative positions, pending review of qualifications which will be completed later in the week. Four incumbents will run uncontested including Eddie Sacks in the Canadian District; Jerry Hansen in the Delaware District; Joyce Fourkiller Hawk in the Goingsnake District and Barry Dotson in the Sequoyah District. One new candidate, Peggy Girty of Vian, Oklahoma who is running in the Illinois District, drew no opposition.

In the Cooweescoowee District, incumbent Clifford Wofford of Claremore, Oklahoma will face opponent Clifford Arneecher of Catoosa, Oklahoma.

The Flint District has the largest number of candidates filing with incumbent Woodrow Proctor of Bunch, Tom Duncan of Stilwell, Oklahoma, Harlene Green of Stilwell, Oklahoma, and Frankie Still of Stilwell, Oklahoma all running to represent UKB members in the Flint District.

In the Saline District, incumbent Charles Smoke of Salina, Oklahoma will run against Carolyn Chumwalooky, also from Salina, Oklahoma.

In the Tahlequah District, incumbent Betty Holcomb of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Danny McCarter of Tahlequah, Oklahoma and J. Kristene Scraper of Tahlequah, Oklahoma will vie for Tahlequah District Representative.

"I'm pleased with the election board staff and the professional way they handled the filing process. Our polling locations are set, and after a background check on the candidates, we will begin printing the ballots and arranging for the voting machines to be delivered", said Election Board Chairman Leroy Adair. "I encourage all registered tribal members to get out and vote." The Keetoowah Cherokee election will be held on Monday, November 1. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the following locations:

Cooweescoowee District
Pryor, Oklahoma
Location: First Christian-Presbyterian Church
Address: 301 N. E. 1st Street
Phone: 918-825-2396

Flint District
Stilwell, Oklahoma
Location: Stilwell Satellite Office
Address: On the Corner of Young and Section Line Road
Phone 918-696-7672

Saline District
Salina, Oklahoma
Location: First Indian Baptist Church
Ph 918-434-2084
Address: 702 East Brewer St.

Tahlequah District
Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Location: VFW Post 3707 Building
Directions: Near the Intersection of Downing and Water Street
Phone 918-456-0595.