Two Groups Recognized At Council Meeting

By Iretta Tiger

HOLLYWOOD — On July 15 the Seminole Tribal Council held its monthly meeting in the Hollywood Tribal auditorium. The meeting started with the recognition of two special groups.

Education Director Louise Gopher announced to the council that seven Tribal citizens have completed the Native Language Certificate Program. These seven graduates are now certified to teach the Miccosuki and Creek languages.

Gopher then presented Lorene Gopher, Jenny Johns, Jenny Shore, Diane Smith, Virginia Tommie, Teresa Jumper and Carol Cypress their certificates.

“I am truly humbled by the dedication of these people,” said Gopher. “Classes were held weekly at Big Cypress and in Brighton for two years and they also studied for ten days of each year at Florida Gulf Coast University.”

The second group to be recognized is the Tribal employees and Tribal citizens who participated in the Citizen’s Police Academy.

“This group is one of the greatest examples of how we can work as a team,” said Seminole Police Department (SPD) Chief Mike Floyd.

The council thanked and congratulated both groups.

The first items on the agenda were the tabled resolutions. All three were again tabled with no further comment. On the consent agenda were three resolutions regarding homesite leases on the Hollywood, Brighton and Big Cypress reservations. All three were approved in one vote.

Items on the regular agenda included revocable permits and the purchase of refuse vehicles for the reservations. These items were approved.

Also on the agenda was a resolution to begin the construction of a water treatment plant for the Brighton reservation. After much discussion the item was tabled.

SPD will acquire 10 new vehicles for those officers assigned to the new Ft. Pierce gated community Chupco’s Landing.

At the conclusion of the meeting Hollywood Council Representative Max B. Osceola, Jr. announced that the Hollywood reservation is planning a celebration commemorating the anniversary of the Tribe’s Constitution. He said the celebration is scheduled for August.

The next council meeting is scheduled for August 26 on the Brighton reservation.