HEADLINES
	Otero to Attend Emory University
	Tribal Council Removes Billie
	Council Meeting: Bank, Consumer Loans for Big Cypress Citizens
	Jr. Cypress Seven Mile Cattle Drive
	Seminole Friends Prepare to Go Overseas
	Tampa Dedicates Seminole Wars Memorial
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Council Meeting: Bank, Consumer Loans for Big Cypress Citizens

By Elrod Bowers
HOLLYWOOD — The Tribal Council, at its regular Mar. 26 meeting, approved Tribal Comptroller Suresh Geer to negotiate consumer loans, and a housing guarantee agreement for loans, with local banks for the Big Cypress community members.
According to Big Cypress Councilman David Cypress, during the process of securing a loan, Big Cypress community members currently have to travel to Hollywood to the Tribe’s Governmental Affairs office and then north to Indiantown Bank.
Geer will negotiate with local banks, including the First Bank of Clewiston, to provide the Big Cypress reservation with a local alternative to Indiantown Bank.
The Council also:
*Approved Geer to negotiate with local banks to install an ATM at the Billie Swamp Safari.
*Approved the purchase of the former Ed Moore property in Coconut Creek. The property sits next to the Tribe’s Coconut Creek Casino.
*Granted right of ways for electrical and phone services for the new Big Cypress water treatment plant.
*Approved a Developer Water and Wastewater agreement with St. Lucie County for services to the Fort Pierce trust property.
According to Utilities Department Director Susie Kippenberger, there is still five months of design work to be completed and the property should have water by February 2004.
Kippenberger stressed that, “this is separate from construction, which is already beginning.”