Chickasaw Times Official publication of the Chickasaw Nation Vol. XXXIX No. 4 April 2004 Ada, Oklahoma Jared Willis latest Chickasaw Purple Heart recipient Chickasaw soldier survives attack, completes Iraq duty After nearly a year in Iraq, themselves, trying to make their beginning to improve. To protect against future at- operate normally. where he survived an explosion, own lives better.” “When we got there, they were tacks, they replaced the standard Those reinforcements almost suffered through sandstorms, Spc. E-4 Willis was among throwing money at us,” said Spc. issue window with a metal one certainly saved Spc. Barrett weathered intense heat and the members of the 1245th Willis. “The Iraqi dinars with and placed a metal cage around made the best of difficult liv- Transportation Company that Saddam’s picture, they’d just the gunner’s area, making sure See Jared Willis, page ing conditions, Jared Willis, a was deployed Feb. 10, 2003 give them to us. They’d get tired the gun could still rotate and 14 22-year-old Chickasaw soldier and returned to Ardmore, Okla., of them and it was like ‘Here.’ from Mannsville, Okla., returned March 19 of this year. “Now their money is starting home feeling U.S. efforts helped “Jared makes us all very to be worth something, since make a difference for the people proud,” said Chickasaw Na- they came out with the new di- of Iraq. tion Governor Bill Anoatubby. nars without his picture on it.” “I think their life over there is “We commend him, and all the Spc. Willis, who was a gunner getting better,” said Spc. Willis. members of the 1245th, for their on a Humvee in Iraq, earned a “I hope we made a change. bravery, devotion to service and Purple Heart for his service after “I don’t really know, but peo- willingness to sacrifice their own his truck was hit by an impro- ple have talked about how it was safety for the sake of others.” vised explosive device (IED) in when Saddam was there and In addition to the difference in early September. how everybody was scared of attitude among the Iraqi people, After that experience, he and him. Everybody was working to Spc. Willis said he also saw signs other members of his platoon make him happy. And now they that infrastructure, municipal made the decision to harden their seem like they’re working for services and the economy were trucks in case of future attacks. KADA recognized for excellence A D A , Promotion. The final award is to KADA competes in the Ada O k l a . - be given KADA for the station’s market, which is home to five KADA, the highly successful “Cancun Trea- independent stations and one Ada AM and sure Hunt,” conducted last sum- cable provider. FM station mer. KADA was purchased by owned by “Being recognized by your Chickasaw Enterprises in 1996. Roger Harris Chickasaw peers, including the big Okla- KADA’s FM is a country music Gov. Bill Anoatubby and Oklahoma Gov. Brad Enterprises, homa City stations, is a great station whose signal is found at Henry shake hands following the recent state will be hon- honor,” KADA general man- 99.3. KADA-AM, at 1230, is a legislature approval of the gaming compact. Both ored this month for its excel- ager Roger Harris said. “These sports talk format. governors supported the legislation. lence in broadcasting. awards say a lot for the great The station has been notified staff we have here at KADA.” by the Oklahoma Association Winning four Achievement of Broadcasters (OAB) that it Awards, Harris said, represents OU students learning government will receive four Achievement a personal best for KADA. Awards at the OAB annual con- “We have been fortunate in ference April 7. the past to win one, maybe two KADA will receive awards for in a year,” Harris said. “We’ve Best Sportscast, Best 30-Second never won four before. We’re Commercial, Best Station Im- elated.” age Promotion and Best Event Oklahoma City, OK 731 OK City, Oklahoma Permit No.1 Permit Ada, OK 74821 OK Ada, Governor Anoatubby recently met with several University of Oklahoma PAID Post Office Box 1548 Box Office Post US Postage US students to help them better understand the workings of tribal government. The Chickasaw Times Chickasaw The PRESORTED STANDARD PRESORTED From left to right are Scott Templin Tara Damron, Stacy Pero, Governor Anoatubby, Barbara Hobson, Robby Jack and Steve Owens. 2 Chickasaw Times April 2004 CHICKASAW TRIBAL\ LEGISLATURE Wilson Seawright, Steve Woods, Linda Briggs REGULAR SESSION 12 yes votes David Stout Building The motion to approve GR21-039 carried unanimously. Ada, Oklahoma Mr. Woods concluded his report. February 20, 2004 (B) FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT by Chairman Scott Colbert AGENDA ITEM #1 CALL MEETING TO ORDER General Resolution Number 21-040, Approval of Revised Consolidated Tribal Chairperson Linda Briggs called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Budget - Fiscal Year 2004 AGENDA ITEM #2 ROLL CALL This resolution approve the revision to the Consolidated Tribal Budget in the Members present: Beth Alexander, Linda Briggs, Melvin Burris, Scott amount of $3,512,710 and approves the revised Consolidated Tribal Budget in the Colbert (Late arrival, 9:06), Tim Colbert, Holly Easterling, Mary Jo Green, Dean amount of $1,284,368,100. McManus, Judy Goforth Parker, Wanda Blackwood Scott, Wilson Seawright, Steve A motion was made by Mr. Scott Colbert to approve GR21-040. Ms. Wanda Woods Blackwood Scott seconded the motion. Member absent: Donna Hartman Mr. Seawright stated he opposed the dollars for the salary increases, however, Staff present: Doretta Sellers, Recording Secretary, Harold Stick, he would vote in favor of the resolution because of the $1.2 million increase for Sergeant-At-Arms, Robert Cheadle, Legislative Counsel, David Mitchell, Legislative education. Legal Assistant Members voting yes: Guests present: Lizette Stephens, Mike Watson, Wilma Watson, Beth Alexander, Melvin Burris, Scott Colbert, Tim Colbert, Holly Easterling, Mary James A. Humes, Mary Johnson, Kathleen Stoner, Melvin Stoner, Ramona McKee, Jo Green, Dean McManus, Judy Goforth Parker, Wanda Blackwood Scott, Wilson Cindy Johnson, Misty Barker, Tony Choate, Robert L. Cole, Jessie Kemp, Rita Loder, Seawright, Steve Woods, Linda Briggs Tim Rhynes, Summer Stick, Rachel Wedlow, Paul Wilson, Anna Cole 12 yes votes AGENDA ITEM #3 INVOCATION The motion to approve GR21-040 carried unanimously. Invocation was given by Mrs. Green. Mr. Scott Colbert concluded his report Special Presentation (C) HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE REPORT by Chairman Dean Chairperson Briggs presented Monette Richardson, Legislative Administrative McManus Assistant, a plaque for 20 years of service to the Chickasaw Nation. General Resolution Number 21-030, Gubernatorial Appointment to the Chickasaw AGENDA ITEM #4 READING OF MINUTES Tribal Utility Authority, Brian Campbell January 16, 2004 Minutes This resolution approves Governor Bill Anoatubby’s appointment of Mr. Brian A motion was made by Mrs. Green to approve the January 16, 2004 minutes. Dr. Campbell to the Chickasaw Tribal Utility Authority Board of Trustees. Mr. Campbell Goforth Parker seconded the motion. is filling the seat vacated by Mr. Guy McElroy, filling the remainder of Mr. McElroy’s Members voting yes: term which would have begun on October 1, 2003. Beth Alexander, Melvin Burris, Scott Colbert, Tim Colbert, Holly Easterling, Mary A motion was made by Mrs. McManus to approve GR21-030. Dr. Goforth Parker Jo Green, Dean McManus, Judy Goforth Parker, Wanda Blackwood Scott, Wilson seconded the motion. Seawright, Steve Woods, Linda Briggs Mr. Seawright stated he did not have an opposition with Mr. Campbell, however, 12 yes votes he did serve on several other boards and committees. He felt there were others that The motion to approve the minutes of January 16, 2004 carried unanimously. could serve the Chickasaw Nation adequately, and those people should be considered. December 19, 2003 Mr. Seawright commented that he has asked how many other boards Mr. Campbell A motion was made by Mrs. Alexander to approve the December 19, 2003 minutes. serves on, but has not received an answer. Mr. Seawright seconded the motion. A motion was made by Mr. Seawright to table GR21-030. The motion was sec- Members voting yes: onded by Mrs. Alexander. Beth Alexander, Melvin Burris, Scott Colbert, Tim Colbert, Holly Easterling, Mary Chairperson Briggs gave the chair to the Secretary to make comments. She stated Jo Green, Dean McManus, Judy Goforth Parker, Wanda Blackwood Scott, Wilson that she serves on this board, and there were only two members on the board, other Seawright, Steve Woods, Linda Briggs than the Governor. She commented it was difficult to find people who understood 12 yes votes electricity to serve on this board. They are in hopes the next seat would be filled The motion to approve the minutes of December 19, 2003 carried unanimously. September 19, 2003 See Minutes, page 38 Chairperson Briggs noted a typographical error on page six of the minutes. Mrs. Alexander made a suggestion to table the September 19, 2003 minutes due to citizens comments being excluded. A motion was made by Mrs. Alexander to table the September 19, 2003 minutes. Mr. Seawright seconded the motion. Bill Anoatubby Jefferson Keel Members voting yes: Governor Lt. Governor Beth Alexander, Melvin Burris, Scott Colbert, Tim Colbert, Holly Easterling, Mary Jo Green, Dean McManus, Judy Goforth Parker, Wanda Blackwood Scott, Wilson 107 S. Constant, Ada, OK 74820 Seawright, Steve Woods, Linda Briggs or Box 1548, Ada, OK 74821 12 yes votes Chickasaw Times: (580) 332-2977 ; Fax: (580) 332-3949 The motion to table the minutes of September 19, 2003 carried unanimously. e-mail: [email protected] AGENDA ITEM #5: UNFINISHED BUSINESS Chickasaw Headquarters: (580) 436-2603 There was no unfinished business.