Cheryl Donoven, election board chair, said shortly before Friday’s 2 p.m. swearing-in ceremony, one of the incoming board members announced he wouldn’t be able to take his seat.
Donoven said Delmar Falcon, Trenton, announced he wouldn’t be able to serve his four-year term representing District II, citing health reasons as well as some personal reasons.
“Just a little bit earlier with his peers, he’d had a discussion and said he couldn’t accept serving the term. He said he knew he’d let the voters down and especially himself,” said Donoven.
A message left at Falcon’s residence seeking comment was not returned Monday. With Falcon’s sudden announcement of being unable to serve his term, Donoven then contacted the regional Bureau of Indian Affairs office to determine what should be done. She was told when someone says they can’t serve, the next highest vote-getter can be notified and offered the position in the other person’s place.
Donoven then contacted Shane Moran of Williston, who had been defeated by Falcon in the July 17 election for the District II spot by a vote of 88-54. Donoven said he accepted the offer, left work, and arrived about 30 minutes later to be sworn in.
A message to Moran at his home Monday seeking comment also wasn’t returned.
Donoven said she and the board members each expressed their best wishes to Falcon.
“Everybody’s reaction was ‘I hope he’s okay’, as health was a reason he’d mentioned,” said Donoven.
Donoven said outside of the District II situation, the swearing-in ceremony was a pleasant afternoon for everyone in attendance.
She said between 40 and 45 people showed up for the ceremony, which took about 20 minutes.
There was a wait afterward for Moran to arrive, but after he was sworn in there was a brief social where people visited with the new members.
“It went pretty well. They’re all looking forward to getting in and looking to serve the people for the TISA.”
Comments
TISA Member wrote on Aug 8, 2009 8:42 PM:
Educated Indian wrote on Aug 6, 2009 3:26 PM:
Are we at war with someone? What are we fighting for? I believe we do need to stand together in certain instances, but we do need to remember the history especially our own at TISA. What happened in the 1970's when funding came into TISA? I can remember some tribal members being looked at for criminal charges. Is this not right? Is this not our history too? Who do you think some of those people are? That is the reason behind these questions now, its not ignorance or an attempt to sling mud. It is bringing up our history, a history that needs to be remembered so past failures are not continued today. "
Proud Tribal Member wrote on Jul 31, 2009 11:00 AM:
For TISA wrote on Jul 31, 2009 9:54 AM:
District II Enrolled Member wrote on Jul 30, 2009 9:28 PM:
Corrine Johnson Election Board Member wrote on Jul 30, 2009 8:42 PM:
There is no regulations in the By-Laws or the Election Code that denies family members to run or be elected by the voting members in the same election of the Trenton Indian Service Area. Yes Mr. Shane Moran has a Williston address that he was assigned by the state of North Dakota, he does reside in District II Trenton, and has resided in District II for more than 15 years. The District II boundaries are West of the Williston by-pass to the Mt border, therefore a number of our enrolled district II voting members do indeed live in Williston, but vote and are considered residents of District II TISA. The voting public of TISA had many opportunities to speak up on the Election Code. Several open meetings were held in 07-08 to make changes, were you present at any of these meetings?
Sincerely
Corrine Johnson
Election Board District II "
TSIA Member wrote on Jul 30, 2009 8:04 PM:
another enrolled tribal member wrote on Jul 30, 2009 7:40 PM:
concerned citizen wrote on Jul 29, 2009 3:29 PM:
Enrolled Tribal Member wrote on Jul 28, 2009 11:38 PM: