It has been an eventful year. The most significant of which for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians was the election of a new principal chief after 12 years, three consecutive terms, under a single administration

I was 26 years old when I was hired as editor of the Cherokee One Feather. I had no editing experience, no management experience, no supervisory experience, and I certainly had no experience putting together a budget.

William Ledford is well located in New Mexico since that is close to Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, and others that have helped Obama push this country to the brink of a third world country.

I want to start with a thought to help you get through the day. “The early bird might get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.” And now, here we go…

According to the Municode for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Section 2-1, Subsection B, “The Tribal Council shall have the power to exclude other persons from Cherokee trust lands when necessary to protect the integrity and law and order on Tribal lands and territory or the welfare of its members”. Subsection A talks about the “exclusion” or banishment of enrolled members who are deemed sex offenders or drug traffickers.

When you look at the outside world from through your front door, one has to wonder where are we going? Who is going to lead?

I truly appreciate any input and/or suggestions as far as the Pageant is concerned. I have coordinated Miss Cherokee for many years, from time to time with a different co-coordinator.

In order to continue the growth that Cherokee has enjoyed, we cannot continue to depend on one industry to supply the revenue necessary to sustain economic development.