Three new members elected to Tule River Tribal Council

Members of the Tule River Tribe went to the polls Saturday, re-electing Kevin Bonds and Duane M. Garfield, Sr. — and adding three others to the nine-member governing body.

Of 469 eligible voters, 339 cast their votes and 19 absentee ballots were sent out.

Gaining the most votes in the election was newcomer to the council Kenneth C. McDarment.

Nancy McDarment and Yolanda Gibson were also elected. All five will serve two-year terms.
Heather Teran, Michele McDarment and Rhoda Hunter were not re-elected.

A total of 24 candidates ran for five open seats.

Voting took place all day with the count beginning after polls closed at 8 p.m. The vote-counting took place in the Brafford Room at tribal headquarters. The new council was seated just before midnight and elected its officers for the coming year.

Neil Peyron was retained as chair and Amy McDarment was elected vice chair. Nancy McDarment was elected to serve as secretary and Kenneth McDarment was elected as treasurer.

Remaining members are James Diaz and Aaron Franco, Sr.

Members were also elected to the Tribal Elders Council and the Health Advisory Board. They were:

Tule River Elders Council

Judy Nieto
Lucy Rodilez
Freda Carothers
Betsey Foote
Raymond Flores
Mary Hermieo
Fred Peyron (alternate)
James Diaz (alternate)

Tule River Health Advisory Board

Donna Medrano
Alberta Chavez
Christina Dabney-Keel
Veronica McDarment (alternate)
Joseph Garfield (alternate)