By Juan Ysaguirre and Chris Picciuolo

A primary and general election will be held this year to fill three seats on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Tribal Council. The terms of District I (Salt River) representatives A. David Antone and Wi-bwa Grey will expire this year. The term of District II (Lehi) representative Deanna Scabby also will expire.

On September 9, the Community hosted a Tribal Elections Forum in District I inside the Community Building at 6 p.m. On September 12, a similar candidate forum was held in District II inside the Lehi Community Center.

District I: Salt River

Candidates running for the two seats in District I are A. David Antone, Selena Espinoza, Su:k Fulwilder, Wi-bwa Grey, Jenelle Howard, Darren Manuel, Leonard Rivers and Johnathan Upshaw.

The candidates’ collateral materials, such as flyers, were on display along with some baked goods inside the Community Building as the candidates took their seats at the candidate forum table.

Pacer Reina served as emcee of the forum in District I. Each candidate received 2 minutes for their opening statement. Time cards with 1-minute and 30-second reminders were provided to ensure candidates stayed within that timeframe.

During the forum, SRPMIC members signed up to ask the candidates a question. They asked a wide array of questions; topics included the involving code of ethics for Council, tribal government communication with the Community, the future of the Community’s youth/seniors, and the candidates’ knowledge of Community ordinances. Each of the candidates had 2 minutes to respond to each question. A moderator ensured the candidates did not go over their allotted time.

Following the question portion, candidates were provided an additional 2 minutes to recite their closing statements.

District II: Lehi

Community members packed the Lehi Community Center to hear District II Council candidates discuss their platforms and answer questions about the issues that are important to them.

Reina again served as emcee of this forum, and the same rules for the candidates applied.

The District II candidates are Carla Banuelos, Wilfred Charlie, Colleen K. McAnlis and Deanna Scabby. Scabby was unable to attend the forum; however, Reina relayed Scabby’s message to the audience.

Some of the topics brought up by Community members at this forum included the new Journey to Recovery campus, a need for more emergency housing for Lehi, the current voting initiative, transportation issues and changing the name of the Community. The Lehi candidates were also provided with an additional 2 minutes to recite their closing statements.

While the Lehi forum was taking place, staff members from the SRPMIC Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs were stationed in the hallway, handing out voting resources and registering people to vote.

The primary election for Council will be held on Tuesday, October 15. Candidates who proceed to the General Election on Tuesday, November 19, will be invited to participate in a General Election Forum for each district. Salt River will hold its General Election Forum on October 28, and Lehi will follow on October 29.