6/27/2007 6:00:00 PM EDITORIAL/Phillip Martin for Tribal Chief
Phillip Martin's leadership is proven, and voters should think twice before risking the future to a candidate with far less experience.
We believe outside gaming interests have been pouring money into the Choctaw elections to unseat Chief Martin.
The stability of Tribal government is important, not only to the Choctaw people, but to the region because of the jobs Chief Martin is creating.
The Tribe is, without a doubt, driving the local economy. Three million people visit Pearl River Resort annually.
Outside gaming interests should not be running the Tribe. Phillip Martin's leadership is proven.
Chief Martin has been good to Philadelphia and Neshoba County and we want to continue that warm relationship, partnering where we can to create a better future for all.
Indeed, the election results speak well of his opponent's political savvy, popularity and ability to throw really, really good parties. But this is not a popularity contest. It's about the proven ability to lead with the integrity and trust we find with Chief Martin.
Nothing can make up for the sheer wealth of knowledge and experience Phillip Martin possesses.
Nothing.
Culturally, the Choctaws have given us much. Historically, they were horribly mistreated, but Phillip Martin gracefully reached out to his neighbors and bridged the divide.
Martin has nurtured the ideal of Choctaw self determination for decades and helped lead his people out of abject poverty toward economic independence.
His is truly an amazing story of brilliance and determination. Few leaders are in the Chief's league. Churchill, Kennedy and Reagan come to mind.
Although those are comparisons that at first glance may be lost here at home, the contrast economically is profound.
Chief Martin has been an excellent leader and now is certainly not the time for change, especially because outside interests think so.
An entire Choctaw middle class has emerged, thanks to Phillip Martin's determination to bring jobs. His leadership is proven and solid.
The stability Chief Martin brings to the Tribe and to Neshoba County is critical to our future together.
On July 3, vote Phillip Martin Chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.
Reader Comments
Posted: Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Article comment by:
Kelona
Wow, Bobby Thompson I applaud you. Your second comment seems to really hammer it home.
P.S. Since when did a letter to the editor have to be entirely factual based? People complain to Jim Prince all the time. How unfair of you to deny the printing of Mr. Thompson's position!
Posted: Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Article comment by:
Bobby Thompson
Editor,
The tide has changed! You were very clear with me last time when I questioned your credibility of not printing my news worthy article for the Choctaw people to read before the Choctaw election. The news I had written were factual based on my past experience serving on the tribal council and worked at the Choctaw Indian reservation. You said you wanted facts, so here is the facts- Choctaw People won in this election and a new leader is emerging. His name is Beasley Denson. I wonder if you will give equal treatment to the incoming new Chief with a good profile about him as you would have with Phillip Martin. I will be disappointed if you didn't when you know the facts are there.
Its time for change. Phillip Martin never build the foundation the choctaw people needed to sustain itself economically and socially into the future. The facts are, the gravy train were enjoyed by the outside forces(non-Indians)for several decades. This gravy train must now come to stop. This is the lesson the Neshoba countian and the Philadelphian need to understand. Choctaw Indian people understand exploitation of our people cannot continue and gravy train now must be shifted to Indian people rather than to the non-Indians.
This is facts, not unfounded claims or compliants. It is embarassing your editorial of June 27, 2007 issue compared Phillip Martin to Churchill, Kennedy and Reagan. He should be compared to dictators of the third world countries who controlled and used socialist tactics to control its people and destroy the culture and their integrity.
The editorial talked about proven experience and records. No experience and proven are developed unless given an opportunity. Phillip Martin never wanted Choctaw Indians to experience success or an opportunity to succeed. If anything, he kept them down while pushing non-Indians into the high paying jobs on the reservation.
This is wrong and should be acknowledged by your paper. This is facts.
Posted: Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Article comment by:
vomitnow12
to campare phillip martin to reagan please give me a break! whoever wrote this article must have gotton paid big bucks!
Posted: Monday, July 02, 2007
Article comment by:
Bobby Thompson
Dear Editor,
Obviously, most non-Indian Philadelphian and Neshoba countians do not really know the real issues about this election. This election is about corruption and misguided leadership which spend millions and millions of dollars elsewhere using lobbying process as a means to protect tribal interest in the halls of Congress. The federal government and Congress has an obligation to ensure that tribal sovereignty and legal rights as an Indian nation is protected, i.e. taxation, self-determination, and hire our owen people to manage our affairs. Under the watchful eye of the current Tribal Chief, the self-government right has deteriorated because outside non-Indian influences is running the tribal government today, not the people themselves. This has to change. I think this is what this election is all about. "Put Tribal Members in higher decision making jobs with higher pay is the thrust of this campaign." 30 + years under this type of leadership and unconcerned for tribal members to run our government has to change. Its high time, we take care of our own. This is our government and we have a right to determine our own destiny.
Back to you writer! Outside interest is pouring money into the current Chief's coffer to buy votes also. This is the corruption we can no longer afford.
