Babaamaajimowinan (Telling of news in different places)

Candidate Fair held in Red Lake - P5

RED LAKE -- A Candidate Fair, sponsored by the Red Lake Political Education Committee, took place at the Red Lake College on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 from 5 PM to 8 PM.

Taking part in the event were all six Red Lake School Board candidates on this years ballot, Michael Barrett, Jean Donnell, Kathryn "Jody" Beaulieu, Chris Jourdain, Douglas Desjarlait and Rhonda Lussier.

Barrett's term will end in January 2017, and because two current board members did not file for reelection, their seats will be filled with a new member. Both Kathryn "Jody" Beaulieu and Chris Jourdain have had experience on the board in previous years. Barrett is serving his 8th year.

School Board members each serve 4 year terms and there are currently six members of the board. A referendum will be voted on in November to add one member, which would come up in the 2018 election year.

Michael Barrett is the current Chairman, Tina Stately is Vice-Chairman, Barb Thomas is the Board Clerk, Roy Nelson Treasurer and Darwin Sumner and Rob McClain make up the six-member board.

Each candidate provided an opening statement and introduced themselves, and afterwards answered questions provided for by those in attendance.

Tim Sumner and Vince Gross, each running for Beltrami County Commissioner, also provided opening statements, followed by questions from the audience. Sumner is the current commissioner for the county.

In the same matter, Rod Skoe and Paul Utke, each running for State Senator District 2, and Jerry Loud and Matthew Grossell, each running for State Representative District 2a, also provided opening statements and were given questions by those in attendance.

The Red Lake Nation College, the Red Lake Political Education Committee, and the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians sponsored the Candidate Fair, along with several off-reservation entities who donated over $6,000 in support of the Red Lake Political Education Committee.

The Red Lake Political Education Committee (RLPEC) was formed in 1996 to educate and register Red Lake voters.

The purpose of this corporation (RLPEC) is:

• To support and conduct nonpartisan research, education, and informational activities to increase public awareness about their right to vote and participate in elections.

• To increase voter participation in tribal, state, and federal elections within the membership of the Red Lake band of Chippewa Indians and;

• To increase voters knowledge of political and social issues.

The General Election will take place on Tuesday, November 8, 2016.

 

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