Armenta Wins Fifth Term As Chumash Chairman: 4 Members of Business Committee Re-Elected

Armenta wins fifth term as Chumash chairman: 4 members of Business Committee re-elected NORA K. WALLACE, NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER March 20, 2007 7:33 AM

During a private election late last week, Vincent Armenta was re-elected for his fifth term as chairman of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.

Mr. Armenta ran unopposed for his two-year term. The tribal election took place on March 15. The tribe released the results of the election on Monday.

"I am honored that our tribe demonstrated confidence in my ability to lead our tribal nation," Mr. Armenta said in a statement. "I was very appreciative of our tribe's trust in me by naming me as the only candidate on the ballot for tribal chairman."

Four incumbent members of the tribe's Business Committee also earned re- election to two-year terms. They are: David Dominguez, Richard Gomez, Kenneth Kahn and Gary Pace.

The men were all nominated during a tribal general council meeting in February, according to Frances Snyder, tribal spokeswoman. Ballots were mailed to all eligible tribal members age 21 and older. Members were also allowed to vote in person last week at the Tribal Hall.

The Chumash disclose little about private council meetings, and would not discuss the number of votes cast or the turnout.

As chairman, Mr. Armenta, 44, is the leader of a sovereign nation of 152 enrolled members and many more descendants. The tribe owns and operates a casino resort in the valley, and recently purchased the Royal Scandinavian Inn, as well as the former Federico's Restaurant and a small private gas station in the valley. The Chumash Resort Casino employs about 1,500 people.

Mr. Armenta was elected to his first term in 1999. Before assuming the post, he was a welder in Santa Ynez. He is one of eight children, and has lived on the Chumash reservation land since 1979. He is a graduate of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School. His brother, Raul, serves on the tribal Gaming Committee and his father, Manuel, was involved in tribal activities.

Last week, the Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge named Mr. Armenta as its Citizen of the Year.

The Business Committee is a powerful board within the tribal government. Its members are responsible for overseeing the legal and business matters of the tribe, including managing and directing tribal revenue. According to the federal government, each of the enrolled tribal members last year received approximately $429,000 as profits from the casino.

Mr. Gomez was re-elected to a sixth consecutive term. Mr. Kahn and Mr. Pace will start their third terms. Mr. Dominguez, who led the Chumash as tribal chairman for almost a decade prior to Mr. Armenta, was re-elected for a second term on the Business Committee.

"We have experienced tremendous progress as a tribe in the past two years and have much to show for our collective efforts," Mr. Gomez said in a statement. "Our leadership team works well together and, based on the election results, the general membership of the tribe agreed." e-mail: [email protected]