Politics

Top leaders of Colorado River Indian Tribes face recall petitions






A sign promotes a recall effort against three top leaders of the Colorado River Indian Tribes. Photo by Fred Nelson via Facebook

The top three leaders of the Colorado River Indian Tribes have been hit with recall petitions.

Chairman Dennis Patch, Treasurer Valerie Welsh-Tahbo and Secretary Amanda Barrera are being accused of failing to disclose financial information about a tribal business, The Parker Pioneer reported. They are also being questioned over the hiring of a consultant and for failing to take action against two council members who were allegedly arrested for drunken-driving, the paper said.

"We need to clean up this corrupt Tribal Government. Now's your chance People. I hear everyone griping about how dissatisfied they are about what's going on," tribal member Fred Nelson, who filed the petitions, wrote on Facebook on Saturday.

Recall efforts are common on the reservation although critics appear to have taken a break for the last couple of years. The process is costly -- in 2012, an elder told the Pioneer that the tribe spent nearly $750,000 on recall elections.

The tribe's reservation is located in Arizona and California.

Get the Story:
Recall underway for three CRIT council members (The Parker Pioneer 3/29)

Related Stories:
Recall season proves costly for Colorado River Indian Tribes (04/03)
Four facing recall from Colorado River Indian Tribes council (3/27)
Recall for Colorado River Indian Tribes council member falters (11/08)
Colorado River Indian Tribes set for recall of council member (11/2)

Join the Conversation