PEMBROKE — The Lumbee Tribe’s Elections Board has a new office and all that’s left to ensure a November election is money to pay for it, according to the tribe’s Elections Board chairwoman.
Sheila Beck-Jones said that an agreement was made Monday among the tribal administration, Tribal Council and Elections Board that will provide an office for the board’s staff in a building at COMtech that now houses the tribe’s Veterans Services office. She said that the office will cost $300 a month to rent and, except for phone service, is already set up with all necessary equipment and supplies to operate an office.
Beck-Jones said security is good at the site for storing election records, equipment and supplies.
“I’m going to be on top of the game when it comes to security of confidential records,” she said.
The Elections Board has been without a home for several months after tribal administrators made the board move out of its office behind the tribe’s Housing Complex on N.C. 711. The administration said the board had to relocate because the tribe cannot use federal housing money to pay for an Elections Board office or conduct elections.
The Tribal Council in May had agreed to give the board $15,000 to find another location and provide for office equipment and supplies needed to operate the office. But late last month, Paul Brooks, the tribe’s chairman, vetoed the council’s action.
Under the agreement reached Monday during a meeting at the Lumbee Lodge in Philadelphus, the council will override the chairman’s veto. Brooks has agreed not to further challenge the board’s receipt of the $15,000.
Beck-Jones said she is satisfied with the agreement that will ensure that there will be an election for chairman and council members come November.
“I’m satisfied because we are going to have an election on time,” she said. “It’s going to be an election that is efficient and effective for the Lumbee people. It’s going to be an election with integrity.”
Beck-Jones added, however, that money will still have to be found to provide for an election. Earlier this year she estimated that this year’s election will cost about $45,000. Seven council seats and the chairman’s position are up for election this year.
“We can’t have an election without funding,” she said. “Several of the council members at the meeting talked about ways to possibly find the funds necessary. The money is going to have to come from non-restrictive funds because federal housing funds can’t be used.”
