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Updated: 10:13 AM Jul 10, 2007
Choctaw Vote on Tuesday
Neshoba County, Miss. It's election time for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. Tribal council positions are on the ballot and six people are in the race for tribal chief. Posted: 5:34 PM Jun 11, 2007Reporter: Chris Brennaman Email Address: chris.brennaman@wtok.com |
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10 Comments 
ncumbent tribal chief, Phillip Martin, is being challenged for his eighth term by five other candidates, Beasley Denson, Linda Farve, Jesse Thomas, Edward Wesley, and Kennith York.
During Martin's tenure, the tribe has gone from one of poverty to one of prosperity. In 1979, tribal sales were less than $1 million. That number now, not counting revenue from the casinos, is $20 million.
Those two casinos, Silver Star and Golden Moon, the first of which was built in 1992, have helped the Choctaw thrive.
The tribe now employs about 8,000 people. But for some, an eighth consecutive, 4-year term for Martin is not the desired direction for the Choctaw.
One of his closest challengers, Beasley Denson, says it is time for a change. He adds, on his website, that some members of the tribe have not received all the opportunities available to them.
Registered tribal members will vote Tuesday for the chief, as well as the 8 members of the tribal council. Each of the eight communities has a polling place, which will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Latest Comments
i am grateful for phillip and what he has done, but all i hear from him now is i this, i that, to me he has bought into the hype of his legacy. remember phillip that you to are just a member of the mbci not the dictator of martinland. with out the tribe you are nothing, you have forgotten this and left us wat your campaign called us uneducated chahtas behind.
Phillip Martin has served the tribe well for 28 years. Hats off to him for an outstanding job. He may have lost the election but he has not lost his people. He's still choctaw and we are still proud of him. We all know Phillip cannot lead the tribe forever and it was time for a new leader. Someone had to step up and learn the business therefore, this had to happen. Phillip did not become successful overnight but he worked deligently throughout the years to get were he's at today. As of now, Phillip and Beasley need to bury the hatchet and alleviate the animosity between their supporters and family rivalrys. It's time to unite and remain consistent with the future developments for our tribe and future generations to come.
I'm saddened to hear that Denson has won the tribal chief election. I can only hope that he is a man of some integrity, however my knowledge of him pre-campaign proves otherwise. Chief Martin began his reign when the tribe was poverty stricken and jobless. He has taken the tribe and turned it around to be one of the wealthiest tribes with unemployment rates in the single digits. While it may soon be time to replace Chief Martin, Beasley Denson, in my opinion, is not the best candidate. Choctaw's, more than ever, need to highly scrutinize anyone interested in this position. My fear is that now, with so much money at stake, many will seek the position of tribal chief with alterior motives. We need someone with the highest integrity who prioritizes the needs and good of the tribe. Choctaw's should have pride in the paths we've taken to bring us where we are, and we need a Chief who will continue to make us proud of the path we have yet to embark upon.
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