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January 13, 2017
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New tribal chief at Sipayik faces recall
by Edward French

 

     Passamaquoddy Chief Vera Francis, who was the vice chief at Sipayik and became chief after Fred Moore III was recalled from that office in November, now faces a recall vote. A hearing on the recall was scheduled for January 10, with the vote scheduled for Thursday, January 12, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the tribal office in the former transition house building.
     Petitions seeking her recall with 281 signatures were submitted last month to the tribal clerk. A total of 216 signatures were determined to be valid, with 193 needed to proceed with the recall process.
     The petition for recalling Francis from office states, "We find her to be unfit; also for violations under the Sipayik Constitution, tribal laws and personnel policies," including using her authority for personal gain and benefit; unauthorized expenditures and misuse of tribally controlled funds; self-enrichment and abuse of power; and manipulation of policies. The reasons listed are nearly the same as the ones listed on the previous recall petition for Moore.
      One of the tribal members who organized the petition drive, Chris Sepsa Altvater, expands on the reasons for the recall effort by stating, "Chief Francis has been absent for literally months. Ms. Francis seems to think she can lead from the confines of her home merely by signing documents. Leaders lead by example. Leaders lead by having their boots on the ground. Delegation of authority is a part of sound leadership. However, a leader also immerses themselves in the day-to-day operations of tribal government as the administrator."
      Altvater, who is the public works/transportation director for the tribal government, continues, "Chief Francis hired the deposed chief, Fred Moore, after council had suspended him. This action allowed Mr. Moore to wreak havoc within various departments and micromanage departments against the better judgment and experience of directors. Chief Francis continued to spend tribal cash dollars and hire, even after receiving the information of the financial status."
      Francis could not be reached for a response to the allegations.

Dana in line to be new chief
     If Francis is recalled from office, newly elected Vice Chief Ralph Dana would be in line to be the new chief, serving for the nearly two years remaining in the term. In a run-off election held on December 27, Dana was elected vice chief at Sipayik, receiving 189 votes to 40 for Adam Bailey. A total of 229 tribal members voted. Dana was sworn in as the vice chief on December 28, replacing Vera Francis. Dana, who is a Passamaquoddy warden, had been elected to the tribal council last September, so another election will need to be scheduled to elect a new tribal councillor. That election has not yet been set.
    Concerning Dana becoming chief, if Francis is recalled, Altvater notes that Dana served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the 1990s and adds, "He is level-headed, community-oriented and in my opinion one of Sipayik's greatest leadership hopefuls. Mr. Dana's recent victory propelling him to the vice chief position comes at a time when our tribe is in greatest need of sound leadership. As a fellow Marine, I am confident in Mr. Dana's ability to lead our community in the right direction for the next two years and beyond as our chief, provided that Chief Vera Francis is recalled successfully."

 

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