Bob Shiles
Staff writer
PEMBROKE — Lumbee Tribal Chairman Paul Brooks will have to come up with a new nominee for tribal administrator, according to Pearlean Revels, speaker for the Lumbee Tribal Council.
Brooks, however, said Tuesday through tribal spokesman Alex Baker that he has no intention of withdrawing his nomination of Steven Hunt as his choice to fill the position.
Late last month, Brooks submitted to Tribal Council members his candidate for tribal administrator, asking that Hunt, a 46-year-old Pembroke resident, be confirmed as “soon as possible and put to work.”
Brooks told the council when making his nomination that Hunt, manager of the Tredegar Film Products plant in Red Springs, is the only person he plans to recommend for the position that is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the tribe.
Revels said that during an interview with Hunt on Feb. 26 there were several council members who had “some problems” with the candidate. Although Revels would not be specific about the concerns of council members, she acknowledged that the issues raised would most likely prevent Hunt from receiving enough votes to be confirmed as administrator.
Numerous attempts to reach Hunt for comment for this story were unsuccessful.
Although the tribal chairman has the authority to hire the administrator, the tribe’s constitution requires that the 21-member Lumbee Tribal Council approve that individual. Revels said that Brooks now has 45 days under tribal law to bring another candidate for administer before the council for its consideration.
But Ed Brooks, the tribe’s attorney, told The Robesonian last year that a tribal chairman meets the tribe’s constitutional requirements for filling the administrator’s position as long as he makes a nomination and then does not withdraw his candidate’s name.
The tribe has been without a tribal administrator for about two years. Rose Marie Lowry-Townsend, whose contract was not renewed by the council following allegations that she and former Tribal Chairman Purnell Swett mismanaged tribal money, was the last to hold the position.
Hunt is the second candidate that Brooks has brought to the council for confirmation as tribal administrator since taking office in November 2011. The council last year twice denied his nomination of Gervais Oxendine, a Lumberton businessman, for the position. The council at that time told Brooks to bring forward more than one candidate for their consideration.
Hunt told council members when nominated for the administrator’s position that it would be his top priority to get the chairman and council to “work as one unit” so that the negative perception the public has of the tribe and its leadership can be changed.
But these clowns "had problems"... Who cares if they were not going to follow your beckoning call.. I should be based off of qualifications.. Not what can he or she do for you, or what political favors it will do for you.... Marie Townsend was only confirmed unanimously, so that she wouldn't run against Walters for senate, placing Roger Oxendine in some of the councils back pocket.. It's sad how so many can have influence on key decisions and they are not even tied to or even needed in that capacity. The politics of this county are horrific to say the least. Perhaps one day or younger ones will not fall victim to these pressures and take over the rolls of good ole boy system, and actually put others before themselves like the good book says, and place the tribes best interest at heart.. After all, it's what we elected these clowns to do.. But where is proof any of them has.... My last meeting I attended was the budget hearing in feb.. There we a lot people there. A lot of educated people, yet no one of any "old" political clout spoke.. It was the younger generation that stepped on the toes and had actual valid points, instead of the petty small minded thinking that most of our people and this county are accustom to.
Clearly you do not know your history of the Lumbees. Unfortunately they are an official government, council of the Lumbee Tribe.. Read your constitution..your words are as if you are an actual council member...juvenile and riddled with self abosorpton... Rather you want to wrap your arms around the 1888 state recognition, or the 1956 Lumbee Act. RECOGNINZING us, but denial of federal benefits...either one upholds and validates this imbecilic bunch, and they can not ask for your card back.. That's a right bestowed upon tribal members to choose to do so freely. No where to close, do these baffons conduct themselves in a respectable or an elected official capacity, but its what we have to work with...for now.. I hear strong talks and of reduction in numbers of council seats, from aged political figures to radical youth. A change is in the midst.
You used a quotation mark at the beginning of the statement that you say Hunt made but you didn't close the quotation. You should really hear things firsthand from a person if you are going to quote them!
If Hunt did actually make that remark to that audience then he obviously didn't want the job to start with or else he didn't think things through very well.
To make significant changes you need to get the job first and then become a change agent! Don't reveal your plans for that kind of change before you have the authority to do anything!
I feel that anyone going into this role should seek first to understand and then map out the changes that need to be made to improve the organization. Going in with a full head of steam and a lot preconceived notions is not a good idea!
Make this organization EEOC compliant and hire someone based on merit...
Hey bosom, why not agree with me now, and lets demand they close it down, it's no longer needed. The lumbee people have advanced into some of the most prosperous people around here. A hand-out is no longer needed or wanted. Ask around, everbody wants it de-funded and dismantled.
You have a good eavining my new friend Bosomchief!
oH, WELL..........
Cody Eagle Horse Godwin
Who has been running the day to day operations for the past 2 years?
Is that person doing a good job?
It seems like there would be someone inside who would make a good administrator. If not, then maybe there should be some staff development efforts going on to prepare people for advancement and take care of succession planning.
There are definitely qualified candidates out there. If looking internal is not an option then Brooks needs to provide a list for the council to look at. Otherwise, it appears that he is trying to have all the say in who gets the position.
Two years without an administrator makes me wonder if there is a real need for one or if they already have the right peron running things and just aren't giving them the credit they are due!
Just a question, Mr. Hunt lacked the experience to manage the tribe adminsitration. As Chairman you were willing to pay him over $125,000. What are you going to offer to someone who actual has experience? $150,000, $175,000 may be $200,000. Remember Mr. Chairman, this is not some big company. Even the superintendent of the local school system is only paid $175,000 and he is actually qualified to handle the job. Time to stop trying to hire friends, hand out political favors or yes, even hire a yes man.
Contact other tribes in this country and ask how they select a tribal administrator or anyone in an executive position. Either a selection committee interviews candidates or the Chairman submits a group of people to be interviewed. Either way, the best candidate will come forward. There is a reason why the tribe needs transparency and watching "you" handle this process is the reason.
It is no secret that you rule the tribal administration with an iron hand and apply terror tactics. It is common knowledge the "Chairman" does not listen to the career people who know their jobs. I hope you are watching the events unfolding in Lumberton at the Housing Authority.
Mr. Chairman you may have the tribal constitution to wave in front of you, but HUD controls the money. Continue with your reckless behavior in trying to run the administration. "You" may wake up one morning and HUD will be dictating to you what you are going to do.
Mr. Chairman, you expect everyone to jump when you say jump. Well HUD may start telling you to jump and the only thing they will what to hear from you is, "how high"!!!