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From: The Robeson Journal, Wednesday, February 4, 2004
Date: 06 Feb 2004
Time: 19:36:23 -0500
Remote Name: 172.158.65.39
JACOBS ACCEPTS ADMINISTRATOR POSITION Mary Beth Brayboy, Staff Writer Tribal Chairman Jimmy Goins announced that Leon Jacobs has accepted the position as tribal administrator and started work on Wednesday, February 4. Jacobs' contract will be negotiated officially this week. Goins did not disclose how much Jacobs would be getting paid, but in an interview with Jacobs two weeks ago, he said he would take a 65 percent cut in salary to come to work for the Lumbee Tribe. According to Goins, Jacobs will have more responsibilities than the last tribal administrator and will be more involved with the housing programs, filling in as housing director while training the current housing director and staff. While serving as a consultant for two weeks, Jacobs addressed operational concerns, personnel issues, the tribe's budget, internal communication between the administration and council, and policies that are lacking. Jacobs has already expressed ideas about duties and plans as tribal administrator. "First thing I will do is evaluate the current administrative system..My goal is to expand existing services like housing and accelerate the federal recognition process." "This is my tribe," said Jacobs. "I've always kept a strong relationship with my own tribe. Since there is a need, it's a challenge and opportunity to do some things." Despite the fact that the tribal government is young, Jacobs says he has no concerns about his effectiveness to guide the council in the right direction...."I don't anticipate any problems and it is a unique opportunity to do something exciting. You can get a lot more accomplished." Goins stated that "the majority of the council agreed to have someone come in with a working knowledge of federal regulations and federal grants, and to make sure that the staff is fully trained." Tribal attorneys, according to Chairman Goins, will deal with issues concerning the two-year contract of Darlene Jacobs, former tribal administrator, that began March 2003. Ms. Jacobs could not be reached by the press for comments and did not return phone calls.