In my opinion, Chad didn’t think the Cherokee people are smart enough to vote on this type of issue. Chad wins all his elections from votes outside the 14-county jurisdiction. Those people don’t depend on Hastings, the Cherokee people do – and not only Cherokees, but Creeks, Seminoles, Cheyenne, Arapahos, Poncas, Kiowas, etc. These are all tribes who live here, too.
For the rest of the opinion:
http://www.tahlequahdailypress.com/letters/local_story_163090602.html
(this is always the complaint - however, Chief Smith includes all Cherokees - but most of the local Cherokees in Oklahoma would exclude us - and those living outside the 14 counties don't even get to share in the same benefits that the Cherokee Citizens in the 14 Counties get - except to vote for the Chief and with a local attitude like this, Chief Smith will probably be Chief for as long as we can elect him. Those of us living in Orange County have to drive on a two hour parking lot to San Diego, Los Angles or Riverside County for Indian Health care)
For the rest of the opinion:
http://www.tahlequahdailypress.com/letters/local_story_163090602.html
(this is always the complaint - however, Chief Smith includes all Cherokees - but most of the local Cherokees in Oklahoma would exclude us - and those living outside the 14 counties don't even get to share in the same benefits that the Cherokee Citizens in the 14 Counties get - except to vote for the Chief and with a local attitude like this, Chief Smith will probably be Chief for as long as we can elect him. Those of us living in Orange County have to drive on a two hour parking lot to San Diego, Los Angles or Riverside County for Indian Health care)