Brighton Hosts Grand Opening for Field Office Expansion

By Susan Etxebarria

BRIGHTON — Two new office buildings have been added to the Field Office complex at Brighton, giving much needed space to four expanding departments. A grand opening celebration was held May 10.

Brighton hosted an open house and grand opening for the new Chairman and Non-Resident Offices as well as Housing Department and Information Technology Offices. These offices are now located in two large modular buildings adjacent to the Field Office.

Each department now has several office rooms for staff and its own restroom facilities. Housing and Information Technology share one building with a mutual conference room. The Chairman’s and Non-Resident offices share the other building. Both buildings include ramps for the handicapped.

Non-Resident Director Holly Tiger, beamed with happiness. “We have been working tirelessly for six months on this move. The Tribe is growing by leaps and bounds and so are the needs for services,” she said. This is the first official space exclusively provided at Brighton where non-resident Tribal citizens can meet with Tiger.

The grand opening ceremonies were held outdoors under a white tent.

“Today we have accomplished a lot,” Chairman Mitchell Cypress said, speaking from the podium. “Holly and Jo Leigh (Boogie) Jumper worked together on this project with Andy Bowers, the Council representative. We’re all happy to move forward and I want to thank all the staff for their hard work.”

Cypress said he and other staff from Hollywood are glad to have a nice office to work in and meet with Tribal citizens when they come to Brighton. Jumper was very grateful after moving from tight quarters. “I love it! It’s home. It’s awesome,” she said.

Jumper is the chairman’s assistant and Lisa Osceola is the administrative assistant. Barbara Donley is the receptionist. Eastern Indian Rodeo Association (EIRA) matters are managed here as well. The Chairman’s Office has its own new phone number, 863-824-6044. Non-residents will continue to call the switchboard at 863-763-4128 ext. 15422.

Brighton Housing Manager John Madrigal said the new buildings are built to withstand hurricanes, so he and his staff can watch the weather there and be right on top of things when storms pass through the reservation. Housing is responsible for boarding up houses before hurricanes hit and making repairs after they are gone.

Working alongside Madrigal is Member Care Specialist Connie Fulton, and Kelley Vasquez, receptionist. They can continue to be reached through the Field Office switchboard at 863-763-4128.

Seminole Tribe Housing Director Clayton Troland V. Clay told the audience that things are really getting done at Brighton. “Your efforts here are at Brighton are on the fast track,” he said. “There are 87 housing projects under way and that number is growing. The housing need is extraordinary and we are trying to meet that need,” he said. “We want to run our housing services like a good business, get to know you and provide good customer service,” he said.

Information Technology Director John Anderson related a funny anecdote.

“Information technology has always had a presence with people coming up from Hollywood for the day and then going back the same day, but then we brought Jason Thomas (of Brighton )on board. He has worked in a closet for four years. Now, the need has grown and we have two additional employees. As far as turnaround time, things are going much faster.”

The new IT headquarters is occupied by Thomas, who is the junior network administrator and PC technical supervisor; and Jerry Craig and Ryan Thomas, both PC technicians.

Their flyer about IT services states: “We fulfill the technical needs of the Brighton Reservation’s Government and Tribal member people. We are responsible for maintaining all of the computers, printers, copiers and telephone and network related devices for the government side.” Their list of computer services includes assisting homeowners, but some of these services require a fee. They can also be contacted through the Field Office switchboard.

After the welcome speeches, the guests went on tour of the new facilities. Although light snacks were provided in the new offices, all were invited to eat lunch in the Field Office auditorium after their tour. Indian patterned T-shirts designed by Solano Dorgan of Solana’s Impressions were given away as gifts to the guests.

The new offices are all decorated tastefully with comfortable seating for the Tribal residents and private rooms for confidentiality. The Chairman’s Office has numerous works of art that really impress upon the visitor the beauty of Native American legacies, such as Navajo horsehair pottery and several clan paintings by artist Mike Moore.

Affordable Art & Framing of Okeechobee and Brighton resident Wendy Johns of The Gift Shed decorated the interior.

All residents are invited to stop in and see the newest improvements and meet the staff.