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From: Ruth Dial Woods
Date: 24 Jan 2004
Time: 09:14:36 -0500
Remote Name: 172.135.73.135
The news articles and headlines move further and further away from federal recognition as Darlene Jacobs, terminated and reinstated Tribal Administrator,struggles to place blame for her irresponsibility on "the previous administration." THE FACT IS THAT THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION DID NOT END WITH A FEDERAL AGENCY INVESTIGATION, CONSISTENT HEADLINES OF MISMANAGEMENT, AND DOWNRIGHT DECEIT ABOUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED AND WHO IS RESPONSIBLE. THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION ENDED WITH AN ORGANIZATION IN PLACE, A CLEAN AUDIT, A HOUSING PLAN THAT DID NOT COST THE TRIBE $8000 (THE AMOUNT PAID FOR THE FIRST HOUSING GRANT AND APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL ON WHICH DARLENE JACOBS SAT AS A COUNCIL MEMBER). The previous administration did not play games by pitting Tribal Councils members against each other, and while there were difference of opinion as represented in the votes cast on issues (if the minutes can be found), the Council's problems were not highlighted in the news. The only thing that Darlene Jacobs inherited was an organization that had administrative policies developed and approved by the Tribal Council on which she was seated; an approved Indian Housing Plan that was being followed in accordance with NAHASDA rules and regulations, and as I said previously, a clean internal and external audit. For the record, environmental reviews had been filed and maintained in accordance with NAHASDA rules and regulations at that time (these rules and regulations have been revised with reauthorization of the program). Darlene Jacobs sat on the Tribal Council that in January ignored my recommendation of December not to purchase 3 lots and 3 modular homes from Bryant Investments and proceeded to pass a motion to negotiate purchase of these lots and homes (the previous administration was not involved and had in fact recommended against this action). How did she vote? Darlene Jacobs sat on the Tribal Council in February when Oceanus Lowry was authorized to proceed with appraisal of three homes (the Housing Plan had no line items for purchase of homes). How did she vote? The Tribal Administrator signs all checks when the Tribal Chairman is not available. As Tribal Administrator, she was responsible for providing supervision and direction to all programs? How did this capable, efficient and knowledgeable person who has just now decided that she inherited problems from the previous administration end up with an organization under investigation, notices of deficiencies for not filing reports in a timely manner, and neglect to follow statutory regulations and rules. Certainly she has traveled and attended meetings to keep informed of her responsibilities -why have they been neglected? The previous administration was clean as represented in the audit. Anything that is amiss happened after January 1 and to my knowledge there was no administrator in place until Darlene Jacobs took office. Perhaps she should look in the mirror and use the "I" word and most of all, state "I" am responsible for this mess! I certainly stand behind my record and accept full responsibility for action under my administration although some of there were under duress but that comes with the job! There's an old saying "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." As a final note, Darlene worked hard to support Chairman Goins in the 2004 election - she was instrumental in drumming up support because "if Dr. Woods is elected, I will lose my job." If she loses her job now, will I again be blamed for her problems as I have been for the past 3 months in the news media - its her picture that is across the AP wires and the state of North Carolina - not mine.