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www.heraldandnews.com Threats (by Klamath tribal members) delay tribal meeting
By LACEY JARRELL Herald and News 5/16/14
Threats of physical harm, intimidation and harassment lodged
against Klamath Tribes officials have forced a tribal
council meeting scheduled for Saturday to be postponed.
“We are taking the threats seriously. We need to take
appropriate action to make sure members are protected,” said
Klamath Tribes Chairman Don Gentry.
According to a press release, some Klamath Tribes members
have been campaigning to organize a hostile takeover of the
meeting. Threats included chaining and padlocking doors to
force the Tribal Council and meeting attendees to remove
Gentry from the council and to overturn the results of a
recent referendum vote.
The referendum vote under attack was certified by the
Klamath Tribes election board as in-favor of a water
settlement, known as the Proposed Upper Klamath Basin
Comprehensive Agreement, between the Tribes and upper Basin
irrigators.
The referendum was certified April 9, the day mail-in
ballots were due, in accordance with the Tribes’ referendum
procedures, Gentry told the Herald and News.
Actions planned during the takeover are a violation of the
Constitution of the Klamath, the release said.
Taylor Tupper, the Klamath Tribes public information
officer, said tribal officials have known for weeks that
allegations about the referendum vote’s validity have been
spread through social media platforms such as Facebook,
Twitter and Snapchat, a photo messaging application for
smartphones.
Tupper said tribal officials are working with police, but
she declined to elaborate further.
Chairman Gentry called Saturday’s meeting agenda “benign.”
The council was scheduled to discuss the Tribes’ economic
development plan, tribal motions and minutes, and present
committee updates, he said.
He said council members have listened to members’ concerns
about the referendum vote in several council meetings;
however, “It is our responsibility to uphold the rights of
the full 4,400 members, not just a select few,” he said.
The vote passed when 564 Tribal members voted yes, in favor
of the agreement, and 419 voted no.
The tribal council meeting has been rescheduled to 10 a.m.,
Saturday, May 31, the release said. According to Tupper, the
meeting will be at the Klamath Tribes administration
building, 501 Chiloquin Blvd., in Chiloquin if security
measures are in place to ensure the safety of council
members and attending tribal members.
“The tribe is optimistic that we can move forward in a
progressive manner, in a way that is safe and benefits not
only the tribe, but the entire community,” Tupper said.
“We’re not willing to jeopardize anyone’s safety.”
ljarrell@heraldandnews.com; @LMJatHandN
Contact Lacey Jarrell by email or follow her on Twitter @LMJatHandN.
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