PR Newswire
COARSEGOLD, Calif., May 5, 2014
COARSEGOLD, Calif., May 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The duly elected Chukchansi Tribal Council is back at full strength with the appointment of Charles "Tex" McDonald as Council Chairman and the appointment of Monica Davis Johnson as Vice Chairwoman. McDonald, elected in December 2013, had been serving as the Tribe's acting chair in place of former Council leader Nancy Ayala, who has been suspended.
The appointments return the on-rancheria Council to seven members, as outlined by the Tribe's Constitution. In addition to Chairman McDonald and Vice Chairwoman Davis Johnson, members of the on-rancheria Council include Treasurer Vernon King, Secretary Lynda Appling and Members-At-Large Charles Sargosa, Amanda Ramirez and Donna Featherstone.
The on-rancheria Council oversees the day-to-day operations of the Chukchansi Gold resort and casino, pays the Tribe's bills and provides services to all the Tribe's more than 900 members, including:
Elder services: More than 130 tribal elders receive a monthly grocery/nutrition stipend, as well as a monthly payment to assist in paying utility bills. Additionally, elder members' lunch cards provide a daily meal payment or a free buffet (along with a free buffet meal available to spouses).
Scholarships: Scores of older students receive scholarship funding to take college or vocational courses. Scores more K-12 students receive clothing allowances, backpacks, grade incentives and attendance incentives. Students receive a computer allowance and incentives for a perfect attendance and an excellent GPA. Additionally, graduates from middle school through college and graduate school receive substantial incentive payments.
Worker assistance programs: The Tribe assists members in the workforce in need of uniforms, equipment and work materials with an annual stipend.
"I'm very proud to have the chance to serve the Chukchansi people as the Council's chairman," said Tex McDonald. "I ran for Council to raise the quality of life for every Tribe member and to protect future generations from the greed of rogue factions determined to sabotage our Tribe. I will not rest until we win this fight for our people."
Said Vice Chair Davis Johnson: "I love my people and I will do everything in my power to protect our culture and our way of life. So many families depend on tribal services and I want to make sure that we take care of every tribal member who needs a helping hand."
Treasurer King, Secretary Appling and the members at large echoed their colleagues. "We come to work on the rancheria every day to shine light on the darkness," said the group. "The most important thing we can do as an elected body is to tell the truth. Our people know who's on their side and who's on the side of greed."
Contact:
David Leibowitz
602.317.1414
david@leibowitzsolo.com
SOURCE Chukchansi Tribal Council