Tribal Council strips Porter of executive powers

[dtwarren]

From: http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article630169.ece

The Tribal Council of the Seneca Nation stripped President Robert Odawi Porter of his executive powers today, leaving in question how much influence he will continue to wield.

Tribal councilors voted 10 to 6 to remove Porter as chief executive officer, replacing him with Councilor Michael John, whom Porter said is an ally of former President Barry E. Snyder.

Porter remains as president of the nation.

[anyones neighbor]

I wonder why he thought he could do anything he wanted? I don't think he's made many friends with this escapade. :-)

[dtwarren]

From: http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article632275.ece

The power struggle within the leadership ranks of the Seneca Nation of Indian spiked again Sunday with the announcement that the ousting Saturday of Robert Odawi Porter as chief executive officer by a vote of the Tribal Council was declared void.

In a quick reversal of the vote to remove Porter and replace him with council member Michael L. "Spike" John, Seneca Nation Clerk Diane Kennedy Murth ruled Sunday that the vote to remove Porter as CEO was voided.

Porter also is president of the nation, having been elected about this time last year with 77 percent of the vote.

In a statement released Sunday night, Porter said his "opponents in government, unfortunately, reflect the "old direction' that I believe the Seneca Nation rejected last fall."

Porter said he is continuing to lead the Seneca Nation and noted that the council's decision reflects political discontent about his administration cracking down on the corrupt insider deals that marked previous Nation administrators.

The statement also said Kennedy Murth based her decision on the Seneca Nation Constitution of 1848 and its Ethics Law. Based on that finding, Porter directed all Seneca Nation government agencies and employees to ignore any orders from John, the purported new CEO.

Those supporting Porter say the clerk's ruling restores the nation to the way it was before Saturday's voided action.

Does the Clerk have this authority? I thought the powers of that office were ministerial rather than adjudicative?

[anyones neighbor]

DT, read this article and then read the comments. I think your answer lies there!
http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article632275.ece

[anyones neighbor]

Sorry, now I feel dumb giving you the same link you gave me. Not sure if anything else will be said about this. According to the last article I got, they said that

"The president and the Council met today to discuss matters of significant disagreement. All committed to finding a resolution to those disagreements and agreed to meet again Tuesday afternoon for further discussion."
"There will be no further comment from the president or the councillors at this time."
From the Observer.

[anyones neighbor]

Supposedly he'll be at the AOA lunch today, I'm sure to gain some confidence. My friend will update me later. ;-)

[anyones neighbor]

Updated: November 17, 2011, 9:14 PM
The dispute which has rocked the Seneca Nation of Indians for the past week is over.
In a statement this evening, President Robert Odawi Porter and the Seneca Tribal Council announced that they "are committed to a new working relationship built upon mutual respect and cooperation."
The statement noted that, "after several days of intense discussion, the Council acted to rescind [the] resolution" it passed last Saturday to remove Porter as chief executive officer.
Both sides also issued apologies.
"As we have seen in other governments throughout the United States and the world, sometimes political officials disagree so intensely that normal governing process is disrupted," Porter said in the statement.
"For my part, I want to apologize to my colleagues and the Seneca people for my part in participating in this disagreement. Words were said by me that, upon reflection, were hurtful and unnecessary. I respect the Council's authority and I am committed to improving our government and will continue to advocate strongly for what I think is best for our people and Nation during my remaining year in office."
Tribal Councillor J.C. Seneca also weighed in.
"I was the original sponsor of the motion to remove President Porter [as CEO]," Seneca said, "and I apologize for the harm that this action has caused him and the Seneca people. Discussion is always better before action, and this cardinal rule should always be followed. The Council stands with President Porter and supports him in his work on behalf of our Nation."
The statement noted that there would be no additional comment on the matter tonight.
Porter, a Harvard-educated lawyer, had come under heavy criticism for rarely consulting or asking for advice from other tribal leaders.
Critics, including a group called Senecas for Justice and Preservation, have complained about him since he took office last November. The group said Porter has been trying to make deals with state officials -- on issues involving cigarette taxation and distribution of casino profits to local governments -- without consulting with council members.
Porter repeatedly has denied doing anything improper.
On Nov. 3, the Senecas were about to announce an agreement with the state that would have ended an impasse and turned over in almost $70 million in casino revenues to local governments in Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Salamanca. The announcement was abruptly canceled after Porter discussed the issue with the council.
Porter's difficulties were compounded recently when J.C. Seneca, who had been one of his top allies, began opposing him.
danderson@buffnews.com
http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article637489.ece