New topic, as requested.

Moderator, please start a new topic with these attached Links...
I am very happy with Chief Ellis new policy of responsibility and accountability started for 2010.

http://premium.fileden.com/premium/2008/2/18/1765574/CitizensFeedbackJan2010.pdf

http://premium.fileden.com/premium/2008/2/18/1765574/VotingNotes(QrtlyMtg).pdf

Moderator, please start a new topic...

http://premium.fileden.com/premium/2008/2/18/1765574/2009-AppropriationBills.pdf

VOC is putting this topic out, although it would be just another policy or  law that would simply be ignored or trashed.  A Code of Conduct is a self-policing of actions, mostly based on ethics and laws, possibly with common sense thrown in.  That is the reason we think any such code would be ignored or trashed.

New Topic Subject Suggestion, as requested by Anonymous 2/5/2010 - 5:44AM.

The . I'd like to see a laundry list of the conditions within the buildings where employees (in theory) spend 8 hours a day, five days a week.

AGENDA ITEMS --- ReScheduled Quarterly Meeting originally 1/30/10
1.   Re-Confirmation of Brant Beaver to the Gaming Board
2.   Re-Confirmation of Judge Patrick Moore as judge.
3.   NCA 10-019.  Intro. & sponsored by Shirlene Ade:  Repealing MCNCA Title 31, ss2-102.  It is outdated and improperly authorizes
      one branch of government to expend funds out of another branch of government's budget. 
      Present legislation authorizes the Chief to expend the amount of $864.00 from NC budget, travel line item, for purpose of
      purchasing 12 outdoor CN flags at a cost of $72.00 each.
4.   NCA 10-001  Expenditure of USDOJ funds for:  Sex Offenders:  Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registration & Tracking, by
      Dornan/G. Tiger --- $88,874.900
5.   NCA 10-004  For Twin Hills Ind. Community - $2,132.495.00  by  Keeper Johnson/James Jennings
6.   NCA 10-006  for Checotah, Duck Creek and Eufaula Communities -- $154,615.00  by Dornan/Medina & G. Tiger.
7.   NCA 10-018  for Holdenvile Ind. Community - $178,343.00  by Shirlene Ade
8.   NCA 10-022  For King Coal Depot/Museum  - $611,139.00  by Bill Fife/ S. Alexander and Keeper Johnson.


NOTE:  NC Meeting to be held after scheduled 6:30PM Planning Committee Meeting.

New topic, as requested by not equal,  1/28/2010   7:42 AM

VOC is putting this new topic as requested by ANONYMOUS - 1/25/2010 - 12:32pm, although we believe this website is not the right avenue for any action.

It probably belongs with the management, GOAB and ultimately the Council.

New topic, as requested.

NOTE:  We have been through this a lot in the past.  Let's keep it from being hear-say only.  We do know of a few other facts, which will stay tabled for now.

In looking up the "Status of Legislation" on the Council's webpage, we note that the last record posted was the B & G Meeting of September 17, 2009. 
What has happened to October, November and December legislations?

We have heard talk that the new speaker has stated that the citizens will not hear anything until the council has voted on any legislation or has made their decisions. Is this what is happening, although those have been voted on?  What is the Speaker's personal agenda if he has made that decision.  No transparency?  Don't want us citizens to know or find out what he's up to?

NEW TOPIC, AS REQUESTED --- 1/21/2010 @ 9:52PM.


Reminder from VOC that there are 2 or 3 other topic areas relating to this subject.

B & G has a meeting tonight at 6:30pm
Agenda item, from the CN webpage:  GAMING & TOBACCO.

Now we hear that all communities with smoke shops have been asked to be in attendance.  Have you all been notified?

NEW TOPIC AS REQUESTED by Anonymous - 1/20/10  @2:36PM.

NEW TOPIC: What kind of systemic changes are required for the Nation?

During one of our elections, I asked candidates if they thought it a good idea to run on a populist platform They thought it was a good idea but none did. Populism is defined by the Cambridge dictionary as "political ideas and activities that are intended to represent ordinary people's needs and wishes."

Last evening in Massachusetts, Republican Scott Brown, disguising himself as an Independent and Populist defeated the Democrats in a run-off election to replace Ted Kennedy’s vacant seat by tapping into the voters’ anger and dissatisfaction over what they believed is an out of touch Obama administration.

It seemed to me at the time that I asked the question that candidates were worried that a run for office was expensive and they had one shot at winning and didn’t want to take a chance on running on any issue that didn’t promised voters more of what they expected from their candidate which is someone to insure for their physical necessities.

There is plenty of voter anger in the Creek Nation over what citizens feel is an unfair distribution of tribal resources and an out of touch tribal government that thinks of preserving its rights and continuing the state of affairs that currently exists. It would seem to be an opportune moment for someone to appeal to the finer instincts of the human spirit by promoting proper social values and moral principles.

So I ask these questions: Is there such an individual among us who could run on a populist platform? If so, what kinds of things would we want her/him to promise to do as a populist candidate?


(VOC:  We would be very interested in whom you may think could qualify to run on such a platform.)

COMMENT HAS BEEN MOVED TO THIS TOPIC (From Clock-In-Times Poster)

1/19/2010 9:14 AM hoktalat wrote:
This question is for any one who may be able to give me a legal opinion or answer. Are Mutual Help Homebuyers covered under the HIPPA law? If information is given out from housing and one of the top people are aware of it, what can a person do when when this housing person says "I don't know". This is not a good enough answer for a elder who is dependent on Creek Nation program to protect her rights. Are they aware of the Authorization for the release of information/Privacy Act in the NAHASDA.
Reply to this

New Topic as requested.  We ask that comments be civil.

We have heard that Travis Scott is now trying to get rid of Terry Fish, Council Secretary. 
We have to ask what is his grievance with her?
Remember, he did the same identical thing with Rita Williams?
Is he taking orders from higher powers?

New Topic, as Requested    (This is not a comment from VOC.  It was posted in wrong place by a non-computer litterate member.)
1/13/2010 8:11 AM Anonymous wrote:
The VOC Model

There is one thing that works in the Creek Nation that directly serves citizens and that is the Voices of Courage website, and the reason for that is straight-forward-- there is nothing that stands between the VOC and citizens. Citizens do not have to fight through a puzzle of rules and regulations to get their voices heard. It’s a straight shot from citizen to citizen, with no bureaucracy between them.

Not so with the Language Program. It’s the usual story that after five years of its existence the Language Program has not come close to laying the groundwork for restoring our language. It has like so many other programs in the Creek Nation that began with grand expectation is now existing for its own purpose, which is to exist. It has become a casualty of its bureaucracy -- an organization whose employees are arranged in ranks of power and seniority and who duties have crystallized into established routine. It has the look of something fixed and comfortable and defined, just like what might be expected in a bureaucratically inclined nation like ours produces.

The Language Program is just one example that we should not give our good ideas -- those things that are important to citizens -- to the Creek Nation to implement. The Creek Nation as the biggest bureaucratic daddy of all produces little ones of its own, of which the latest is the Language Program. Bureaucracies can’t solve problems or make things work. The Creek Nation operating as a bureaucracy proves that.

Citizens would do well to emulate The VOC Model. The idea to create the VOC website began in the minds of people like you and me -- citizens who we probably see all the time, and by people who were frustrated and angry, like you and me. There may have been bitching and moaning among them, but it didn‘t stop there -- it began there! --unlike what you and I do. The VOC Model expresses the exact opposite to a bureaucratic way of doing something. Bureaucrats think in terms of rules and regulations, and that if their bureaucracy is not working, that more rules and regulation are required to enforce the original rules and regulations.

The VOC Model is a citizen initiated project that did not wait for the Creek Tribe to do anything and that is why it is established and working. How unfortunate that citizens squander their personal abilities and put their Nation in jeopardy by relying on a government that has demonstrated colossal ineptness in place of doing something they could be doing themselves.
Reply to this

New topic as requested by NDN - 1/10/10  7:45PM 

NDN's Comments:  I would like to start a subject on the upcoming "Confirmation of the re-nominee for MCN District Judge - Moore". I have heard several rumors that he may not be re-confirmed to serve as Judge. I personally believe he is a greater asset to our nation that a lot of our elected officials. He has a true heart for his people. I hope that his works are not overlooked. He has made very difficult decisions - decisions that I am sure would be difficult for an average person. I believe he is one of a few knowledgeable and helpful people left in our tribe. I could be wrong but I also believe he has our tribe in his heart and soul. I hope he is re-confirmed to the position of District Judge; I will pray for him and his family - as again I believe he serves in a very difficult position and has made difficult decision. And at the end of the day - he has done his best to serve our nation and our people.

Please make note:

We have topic headings.  We are getting too many comments totally unrelated to the topics.
We ask that you make an effort to stay within the topic, else request that a new topic be created.

Added commentary:  In going back through past topics & comments, we are lucky to receive some really good input from most of you, and can be discerned as well thought-out.  It's good to go back and re-read them.  We don't always agree but that is why we are here, to get other's thoughts and ideas.  We hope you all do this.  You can enhance prospective of issues.  We thank you all.

HERE ARE THE ELECTED OFFICERS:

ROGER BARNETT ---- SPEAKER
SAM ALEXANDER ----- 2ND SPEAKER
DAVID HILL ------------- SERGEANT-AT-ARMS

All three had very good opponents.

Cherrah Ridge ----- Lost to Roger  13 to 11 in run-off.
Travis Scott --------- Lost to Sam  16 to 8 in run-off.
Paula Willits -------- Lost to David Hill  13 - 11 in run-off.

(This comment moved to new topic: Tobacco Compact.)

COMMENT ON THE TOBACCO COMPACT MEETING!!!

The Extraordinary Meeting Tuesday, December 29, 2009 was held in Executive Session as expected.

What was not expected is that the National Council allowed all smoke shop employees, managers, attorneys and anyone associated with a smoke shop to stay in the EXECUTIVE SESSION. 

There were two - FULL BLOOD MUSCOGEE CITIZENS that were asked to leave the Executive Session by the National Council.

How dare they allow non-Creeks to stay and ask Creek Citizens to leave.

Does this Council feel that if we don't work for a Smoke Shop that we don't have a vested interest in what happens to the tobacco compact with the state?

The Smoke Shops belong to us all (except the ones that belong to individuals) and that is another subject.

Any topic having to do with our Nation should never be placed into EXECUTIVE SESSION by the all knowing and powerful National Council. Shame on the National Council of Muscogee Nation.

I remember when Executive Session was called only for personnel issues, now they are called because of the power play the Council needs to feel above us all.

Per your request, a new topic.

Now here comes Robert Trepp when we thought the crap was over....

http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/2/18/1765574/Now%20here%20%20comes%20Robert%20Trepp.pdf

Are we paying for this one? Your money!

New Topic - As requested by Anonymous 12/13/09 - 6:29PM. 

Where you would like to see the Nation in the coming new year. Lets be positive, lets forget those who we cant stand on Council or the Executive Branch. Without blaming others.

This is what the IRS can do to tribal lands --- This just happened to the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe in So. Dakota (12/3/09).
They auctioned off about 7,100 acres, owned by Crow Creek Tribal Farms, a corp formed under tribal laws. 
The tribe owed over $3 million in back taxes, penalties & interest.  Estimated value of land:  Over $4.6 million.  Sold for a little over $2.5 million.
The crime:  Apparently delinquent in Federal employment taxes since 2003.
Tribe maintains they received erroneous tax advice from the BIA, and were also told that since it was a federally recognized tribe, it was not necessary to pay federal employment taxes.
Supposedly, land will not change hands yet, until after a tentative trial date has been set for March 29-30, 2010.
.......................................................

I just wonder if our Creek communities, smoke shops, Trade & Commerce, etc. are adhering to the laws of employment taxes.  This could happen to us or any other tribe.  There are some taxes we do have to pay.

NEW TOPIC PLEASE.

http://www.cobellsettlement.com/


For those Individual Indian Beneficiaries:
For more information on the Settlement or if you believe you are an individual Indian beneficiary, including an Individual Indian Money (IIM) Account Holder or heir of an IIM Account Holder, view Settlement Information for American Indians.

New topic, as requested.

VOC does agree that some sort of consequence could be put into place.

THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF THE OTHER --- SAME TOPIC.  Other got too long with too many comments, and its not time to delete any of it yet.

So put any new comments on the casino here.  Thank you.

New topic as requested.

RE:  NCR 09-009 and more.

Hope you all read suggested website addresses, as submitted, and acquaint yourselves or refresh your memory on the subject matter.

New topic as requested.

Already several names are being bandied about.  Some of the names we have heard are:
George Tiger ---  of course, nothing less
Cherrah Ridge-Quiett --- Wonder what George thinks
Roger Barnett --- We don't think he is of the caliber.  Rumor is that if George wins, he will try hard to make Rober 2nd Speaker.
Travis Scott --- Do we really know this guy

Haven't heard a word about Steve Bruner, who is now 2nd Speaker.

We hear some behind-the-scene deals are going on.  What is really needed is someone WHO DOES NOT NEED THE MONEY, and none of the 4 named qualify under that argument.

Give us your thoughts on who the most effective person would be.  Someone who sincerely wants to protect our tribe.

VOC believes all these tests should be required of all Creek Nation employees and all Elected & appointed Officials.
We have been told in the past that it is a requirement for CN members, but it is not carried out.

Topic as requested.

VOC would be interested is how the other tribes attain the capability.  We have often heard that as long as our press is funded by the tribe, it is an impossibility.  We have also heard the Executive Branch has attempted to censor some information, but noone has ever come up with anything besides accusations.

New topic, as suggested, specifically for Okemah, but there may be others needing upgrades.

 Folks, this is one of four new topics, as requested by different commentators.  We really want good comments along with posible solutions.  Topic is not for personal prejudices.

Folks, this is one of four new topics, as requested by different commentators.  We really want good comments along with posible solutions.

Folks, this is one of four new topics, as requested by different commentators.  We really want good comments along with posible solutions.

Folks, this is one of four new topics, as requested by different commentators.  We really want good comments along with posible solutions.

Educational goals for our youth. 
Who will set the goals?  What would be included in the goals to help our tribe?  When does goal-setting begin?
 
This is not a goal, but we can't allow 'history to repeat itself''.  Continue teaching and relating our tribal history of why and how we are here.  Include our beliefs, customs and traditions.
  
Better housing & medical assistance for our elders. 
One of our most cherished traditions is the manner in which we have always treated our Elders.  We are not passing that on to our younger generations.

About the topics that are now on this site, they have all been beaten  to death.

Please submit suggestions for new topics. 

New Topic, as requested, by Anonymous 11/19/09.

I want to start a subject about the River Spirit Casino Business.

The hiring practices of the casino is built around supporting non-Indian people.

Creeks have no chance of advancement!

New Topic --- as requested by "Upset" - 11/16/09
VOC please print this.  (VOC:  We too are wondering about things going very wrong, and we need to know how those responsible are handling this and if they are accepting responsibility, and what they intend to do from now on.  This cannot happen again.  Let's get this out in the open and make the entire Social Services a transparent department, as all departments should be.)

I agree they think they always make the right decisions then lets talk about what happened to the precious little girl last week. My heart is hurting for her and her family, the Director over the Child Welfare program is none other than D. McIntosh, how could she have allowed this to happen, she is too busy denying people for services that are much needed because she says she can and no one can stop her. What has she done since she came to the tribe, everyone look back at the programs she is over they are what are bringing a bad name to the tribe and the Chief and Sumner overlook it. She has proved more than once that she doesn't care for the creek citizens. How many kids were turned down for child care assistance and school clothing, funeral assistance, commodities. It is a shame that she can treat people the way she has and get away with it. If she was doing her job and checked into the background of this alleged perpetrator she may have saved this sweet innocent child. The council, chief should send her out the door before something else happens and the tribe gets another black mark against them. I just bet that the ones she wanted to be approved were approved, this is not her money nor her people. Sumner knows what she is doing but backs her all the way, what is her excuse for denying all these people for assistance, wasn't the money alloted by the council. When I was on the council we gave all the children school clothing and I remember that Mrs. Cherry said go ahead and approve them even if they didn't turn receipts in or if they were late don't punish the children. Social Services helps who and when they want to, I have been told they help this one family every time they get evicted helps them get a nother house until they are evicted again and this person works for the tribe, one man came here and was single and they paid his whole months rent at a motel as well as a check, but they can only help some people once a year, this is a shame. Somebody out there go to your council members, the chief and whoever will listen and try to stop this nonsense before we lose all the programs she is over. Let's take a moment to pray for this little child that was taken away much before her time and ask why did the child welfare staff approve someone with a felony.If this foster parent had problems she should have gave the children back not continue drawing money.

Watch out all of you who voted on 11/7/2009

New Topic Please
National Council sues the tribe once again....now who the hell is gonna pay for this one!
And the nerve of them talking about how many people voted....it was less than a thousand who said you can sit on the Council for 4 LONG years...you want to give that up?


http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/2/18/1765574/SC_09-10(CouncilVSElectionBoard)MemorandumofSupport.pdf


http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/2/18/1765574/SC_09-10(CouncilVSElectionBoard)DeclarationofCouncilAttorney.pdf


http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/2/18/1765574/SC_09-10(CouncilvsElectionBoard)Declaration.pdf


http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/2/18/1765574/SC_09-10(CouncilVSElection)ExParteApplication.pdf

Folks, I know what my first petition is gonna be...."NC members will have to pay for their own personal lawsuits that affect them directly.....anybody want to sign it.....my point, you can sue all day long for as many times as you like, but, but, but you will have to pay for them your self....stop wasting our money.

NEW TOPIC .   Please keep your comments civil.  VOC has had this issue up more than once, and comments tend to get out-of-hand, so be civil or be deleted.  However, this is NOT an issue the tribe can do anything about at this time.

AS REQUESTED by Anonymous 10/31/2009
"Do you mean full member (1/4 blood or above) or full blood? ...Question: What is so magic about the 1/4 blood rule (Full Citizen)?

New topic request? Why do we have a 1/4 blood rule for full citizenship in our Constitution when the right to our nation's membership is bases on blood entered upon the Daws Roll as Creeks by Blood?"

WE NEED TO READ UP ON ALL THE AMENDMENTS, & DO OUR DUTY and VOTE.  VOC especially would like to see approval of Amendment #'s A59,  A67  and  A113. 

Our reasons for those 3, and our stand on all the other amendments will be posted soon.

THIS ENTRY IS FOR "INFORMATION ONLY" comments you wish to impart.


VOC will be deleting this topic as it has not turned out to be for what it was intended.  Too much chat has been submitted.  We may try it again some other time.

REMINDERS:  VOC is  again posting this request.  We are making attempts to monitor comments, and deleting,  which are simply complaints, although we have been very liberal in this.  As has been suggested previously, please offer suggestions to remedy your situations, and that will benefit us all.  You did submit suggestions for topics, and we have put those out there too, and we are again requesting co-operation from everyone. 

(VOC periodically posts these reminders:  Sorry some of you are disappointed in our intent and comments.  From the beginning, it has been to inform the citizens of how the council has performed and the problems they have created by not adhering to our tribal laws and Constitution, especially the Constitution.  Since you are aware, you know that most of the problems which are plaguing our nation are directly related to Council's actions, and that is the reason VOC opened this website.  We don't belong to the chief, council or the A. G., and some of us are employees, but we're all Creek citizens doing what we can to help inform other citizens, and we do this with our own money, doing this because we believe in our original intent )

(VOC:  This is a forum offering MCN citizens the opportunity to explain his/her side of the story or to state their opinions, and is intended to focus on the facts. Some of you are all losing sight of the purpose of this blog and have been using mean-spirited names in your comments. Don't let your emotions get the best of you and become accusatory. Feel free to voice your thoughts or opinions on the actions or inactions of any elected official/employee. You can rise above the fray if you remain professional, respectful and diplomatic. This forum is a tool for all of us to use in such a manner to reach logical conclusions when civilly presented with fact-based evidence. Mudslinging, on the other hand, simply appeals to the emotions and seeks no intellectually based response. It’s time for us as a politically conscious nation, to move beyond our habit of name-calling and engage in real,meaningful, intellectual debate.)

We notice some commenters wander off the topic subject.  Then some short comment will be submitted, and we have no idea what they are writing about, although they may have been intending to respond to another post. 
As VOC has stated, if you would like a new topic/subject, just request one, and we will probably comply as we have done many times.  Please try to stay within the subject.

Thank you.

VOC is detecting some comments & postings from those connected with another website, and consistently goes completely against VOC's original intent & purpose.  VOC is determined & resolved toward its objectives, which we have stressed many, many times.

For those reasons, we are, have, and will be banning & deleting.  We sense some are using our website to promote their goals, and their website, and as stated before, of which we do not want to be a part. 

We know this will not go over positively with some of you, but we strongly believe we should protect our website.  Thank you.