2009 Tribal Election Results
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Eddie Cypress Billie Students Tour Colleges in Preschool Playground Fellowship Hall Dedication Arizona, New Mexico Turns Into ‘Safety City’ COMMUNITY 4A EDUCATION 4B EDUCATION 7B Thehe Volume XXX • Number 5 May 29, 2009 Mother’s Day Festivities 2009 Tribal Election Results Abound in Big Cypress BY MARISOL GONZALEZ Staff Reporter BIG CYPRESS — The Big Cypress community commemorated Mother’s Day with various activities during the week of May 7-12. The festivities com- menced on the evening of May 7 when the seniors trav- eled to the Coconut Creek Casino with Senior Center Site Manager Cecelia Guz- man. More than two dozen attendees enjoyed a special dinner along with President Richard Bowers Jr., who pre- sented gifts to the mothers as a token for Mother’s Day. Most of the seniors stayed at the casino for the time allotted. Others took a detour and went shopping nearby. Marisol Gonzalez On May 8 the com- Mya Cypress shows her Hula tech- munity gathered at the Big nique during the Hula dance presen- David Cypress Andrew J. Bowers Max B. Osceola Jr. Cypress Gymnasium for a tation at the Community Center Moth- luncheon, sponsored by the er’s Day dinner. Tribal Council and Board of Tribal Council Representatives Directors’ offi ces. Big Cypress/Immokalee Brighton/Tampa Hollywood/Ft. Pierce Chairman Mitchell Cypress and Big Cypress Tribal Council David Cypress: 162 Andrew J. Bowers: 102 Max B. Osceola Jr.: 185 Rep. David Cypress attended the festivities with the employees, Manuel M. Tiger: 71 Roger Smith: 101 Moses B. Osceola Jr.: 86 community members and Tribal citizens. Paul “Cowbone” Buster Moses “Bigg” Jumper Jr.: 28 James Tommie: 40 Mark Billie: 29 and the Cowbone Band provided entertainment for the afternoon Wovoka Tommie: 26 event. Families took home fl ower arrangements and dozens of Mother’s Day balloons. Please see MOTHERS on page 2A Tribal Citizens Swim, Bike, Run in Triathlon BY RACHEL BUXTON Staff Reporter BRIGHTON — The Brighton reservation was turned into a battleground on May 2 as Tribal community members teamed up to test their physical limits at the second annual Triathlon Relay Race, sponsored by the Brighton Recreation Dept. “We are really excited because we are trying to get these people out here living healthier and more active lifestyles,” said Fitness Program Di- rector Natasha Kesoglou-Perez. The triathlon was divided into three divisions: youth, adult and se- nior. Competitors swam, biked and ran, vying for top honors and brag- ging rights. Paul Bowers Sr. Johnnie Jones Sr. Marcellus W. Osceola Jr. Youth, ages 13-17, had to swim 200 yards, bike 3.1 miles and run 1 mile. The adults had a 300 yard swim, Board of Directors Representatives 3.1 mile bike ride and a 2 mile run, Big Cypress/Immokalee Brighton/Tampa Hollywood/Ft. Pierce whereas the seniors, ages 55 and old- Paul Bowers Sr.: 145 Johnnie Jones Sr.: 225 Marcellus W. Osceola Jr.: 91 er, swam 137 yards, biked 3.1 miles Cicero Osceola: 138 Christopher Osceola: 84 and walked or ran 1 mile. Gloria Wilson: 67 Teams consisted of three indi- Milo Osceola: 29 vidual competitors with the teams Franklin Moore Jr.: 19 further divided into male and female David DeHass: 9 categories. Some seniors weren’t even sure they would make the event. But this age group ended up with the most teams participating. Rachel Buxton “I didn’t know if I was going to Brighton Board Rep. Johnnie Easter Bunny Springs His Way to Naples Jones Sr. crosses the fi nish Please see TRIATHLON on page 2A line to take fi rst place. BY JUDY WEEKS Freelance Reporter NAPLES — The residents of the Naples com- munity congregated at the home of Doug and Sandy Tribal Council Holds Osceola on the afternoon of April 11 in anticipation of catching a glimpse of the fabled Easter Bunny. Much to their delight, both adults and children Special Meeting did not have long to wait. Their furry, white friend with big fl oppy pink ears peeked out from behind a BY SHELLEY MARMOR large oak tree and then hopped across the lawn to Assistant Editor greet them. Wearing a Seminole patchwork vest and HOLLYWOOD — The Seminole Tribal Council convened a big smile, he distributed hugs and hand shakes to at the Hollywood Headquarters for a special meeting on April 21. everyone. They unanimously passed 18 items from the consent agenda and As many know, the Easter Bunny can’t talk. 11 from the regular agenda. However he did a terrifi c job of delivering his mes- The consent agenda items were as follows: sage with appropriate gestures. It wasn’t long before Resolution 7: Issuance of a homesite least to Anthony Lee he had a large group dancing and hopping with him Osceola – Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation; around the bushes and trees. Mimicking his actions, Resolution 10: Issuance of a homesite least to Wanda Faye the youngsters giggled and laughed while attempt- Bowers (FKA Wanda Faye Bowers McCall) – Hollywood Semi- ing to duplicate the shake of his fl uffy white tail. nole Indian Reservation; The Easter Bunny’s helpers hid eggs in the Resolution 11: Release of interest in a homesite from Sarah bushes, fl owers beds, on the lawn and even up in the Marrero McDonald – Hollywood Seminole Indian Reservation; trees. Forming a line behind their favorite rabbit, the Resolution 12: Issuance of a homesite least to Ricardo Fortino children did the bunny hop onto the grass and then Hernandez – Hollywood Seminole Indian Reservation; broke into a run to gather as many eggs as possible. Resolution 13: Service line agreement (1,244’ X 5’) between Even Grandma Tahama Osceola collected her share Embarq and the Seminole Tribe of Florida for location of a tele- and encouraged the little ones in their hunt. phone line to the homesite of Jacob Osceola Jr. – Big Cypress While having their pictures taken with the Seminole Indian Reservation; Easter Bunny, each of the boys and girls received Judy Weeks Please see EASTER on page 2A (L-R) Pedro Zepeda joins the Easter Bunny in wishing his grandmother, Tahama Osceola, a Happy Easter. Please see COUNCIL on page 2A COMMUNITY: A EDUCATION: B SPORTS: C Big Cypress.........4A Health ............... 6B ANNOUNCEMENTS: D INSIDE: Immokalee ..........6A Healthy Senior ... 6B 5th Annual Watermelon Fest 6E Tampa ................7A Casino ............... 2D 2A • The Seminole Tribune • May 29, 2009 TRIATHLON From page 1A make it because it is Satur- day and you do what you want to do,” said Tribal se- nior Mable Haught. “But I’m here to support the group and do things for myself and my health.” First place in the male senior division went to teammates Willie Johns, Parker Jones and Jack Smith Jr. They fi nished with an amazing time of 33:44. Rachel Buxton The senior males had Michele Thomas paces herself in the swimming event. nothing on the fi rst place female senior team, how- ever. Team members Connie Whidden, lenge but both male and female teams fi n- Patty Waldron and Edna McDuffi e, all rep- ished with impressive times. resenting the Seminole Tribe’s Health Dept., Brighton Board Rep. Johnnie Jones Judy Weeks crossed the fi nish line barely breaking a Sr., Reno Osceola and Robert Youngblood Judy Weeks sweat in a time of 28:28. snagged the fi rst place fi nish for the adult Jessica Osceola samples the tomato gravy at the male division with a time of 1:03:12. The The children watch as the Easter Bunny mimes instructions for the egg hunt. Easter lunch. Seniors Louise Gopher, Onnie Osceola and Mable Haught followed soon after at fi rst place adult female team of Michele 35:30. Thomas, Amy Johns and Kay Braswell EASTER The fi rst place youth male team was were right on the male’s heels coming in at From page 1A comprised of Isaac Bettelyoun, CW Ortiz 1:11:58. and Royce Osceola, with a fi nishing time “The genuine camaraderie, team spirit a beautiful basket loaded of 22:59. The fi rst place youth female team and overall support for each other during with treats and age appro- fi nished just 7 seconds behind the males in this event was a heartfelt experience,” said priate toys. Young at heart, a time of 23:06. Members included Jessi triathlon organizer and Fitness specialist Kai the adults quickly took Osceola, Alissa Dorgan and Kristina Osceo- Setty. “It has opened the door to new possi- their turns for family and la. bilities for this event in the future.” group photos. The adults had a bit of an extra chal- A traditional Semi- nole dinner had been pre- pared over the fi re and included such favorites as venison, chicken, squash, cabbage, rice with tomato gravy, sweet potatoes and fried bananas. Served with an abundance of fruits, vegetables and dessert items, the meal left the adults content to spend a leisurely afternoon relax- ing under the chickees. The boys and girls entertained themselves playing Water Tag, Laser Battle and enjoying the Judy Weeks Judy Weeks assorted swings hanging (L-R) The Osceola-Lugo children, Dominic, Angelina and Jo- Lola Veliz climbs among the Easter baskets looking for from the oak trees. seph, give the Easter Bunny a big hug. one with her name on it. Resolution 22: Charlotte Burgess ap- Davie Too, LLC, (lessor) and Seminole COUNCIL plication for a loan to build a home on the Tribe of Florida (lessee); From page 1A Brighton Seminole Indian Reservation; Rat- Resolution 32: Approval of fi rst amend- Rachel Buxton ifi cation of pre-approval of the loan; ment of business lease between Seminole Parker Jones (R) hands off the bracelet to teammate Jack Smith Jr.