Bismarck, North Dakota News

" I am personally embarrassed to be an enrolled member of this tribe. when anyone person stands up to make a differance for the betterment of all,we tend to pull each other down by the heels, it's the old crab in the bucket scenario. Go ahead an elect Marcus for your chairman. I believe some of you deserve exactly whats coming to you, lets see if stupidy,igornace,jealousy,gets you through recievership. "

" There are facts and its too bad that you don't know what they are. Are you sure you are with what goes on the Ft. Berthold Reservation. You need to read the minutes or pay attention. But yes there are facts, why do you think that so many are pointing fingers. Tex is to blame for something....what was up with the "gag order", a while back? Anyway, everyone is entitled to speak there peace, I just hope everyone is true to whoever becomes the chairman and same goes for the chairman, be it Marcus or Tex. "

" If Tex gets voted back in there I hope he hears the voices of the tribal members and makes the changes that are needed. Tex does need to work with the council and not disagree with practically everything. It don't make one bit of a difference to me who gets in there right now, cause they don't help me anyway. I live off the reservation and I don't get any kind of help when it comes to school. I guess that is the bad part of living off the reservation. I'm not complaining though, cause I have provided for me and my family. I know what is going on back home, cause I hear people talking about my reservation and my chairman. I have to go to a reservation (Ft. Yates) that I am not even from, to get health care. The only time that I ever matter to any tribal chairman is when he needs me to come home and vote. So all I have to say to all who are bickering amongst each other is, Do you seriously think that after 8 years, Tex is that the one to put in there for another 4 years? Like someone already stated, "It is time for a change". Good luck to Mr. Hall and Mr. Wells. "

" I'm not here to say that Tex is a bad person or that Marcus is a bad person. This election should be about who will step up and be a man and do the things that are needed to get the MHA Nation out of the "red". If you are business minded you will know that layoffs or wage cuts are all part of getting back up your feet. Some where down line there has to be layoffs. You as a tribal member should understand that its all part of becoming a financially stable tribe. If you have the education to continue else where, then you shouldn't be worried if you get laid off or not. There may be a possibility that you will get your job back, once the tribe sees positive progress. You might think that I am saying all this and I'm not in threat of a layoff...well let me tell you what I have been laid off and I have moved on to a different job. And yes thank you Tex for traveling around exhaustedly and representing the MHA Nation. Any chairman shouldn't get exhausted from something that he should be proud of doing. He knew what he was getting himself into, so he should've prepared himself. I hope if Marcus gets in there that he is ready for the position. We can all sit here and give opinions on who is better and what not, but what the people have to look at is these two men can not make promises, that they can not keep once in the chairmanship. One may promise you that your job, for instance, is safe, well for now it may be. What about when he gets in office? So regardless if there is Teamwork on or off the court, Tex and Marcus need to take care of their tribe, and not themselves. GOOD LUCK TO YOU BOTH, TEX & MARCUS! "

" A Chairman needs to be able to deal with the issues that plague us in Washington and On the Home front, and not forsake one for the other. Its all about balance. Along with Government Budget Cuts a re-balancing of the Tribal Budget must occur, at least until we can get what we rightfully deserve from the Government. A Chairman leading the Council needs to do exactly that, Lead The Council into making wise dicisions. What about lobbying other councilmen into a sound budget? Yes it is good that the Chairman has made himself well known. But was gaining a name and admiration amongst Government Officials and other Tribes his main concern? He needs the support of his own council to succeed, and for some reason, perhaps errogance and deceipt, he hasn't got it. What good is a treasurer if he hasn't got the backing of the Chairman! Avoiding meetings and ignoring the deficit will not put us on the right track. "

" What native american is ashamed to say what reservation they are from? NOT ME, I am very proud to say I am from Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. Tex don't make our rez look bad the people do that all themselves. And if you work for the TRIBE and are afraid of losing your job. GET AN EDUCATION and go off the resevation and see how you can handle a job there! Tex is not souly counting on the government for our monies like some of the tribal memebers are. Tex wants us to have our OWN MONEY FLow "

" like i said to bad everyone is soo quick to blame Tex for everything gone wrong......without facts. No disrespect to Marcus but can he fill those shoes?? continue the leadership for not just MHANATION but for all Natives - on all levels. TEAMWORK on and off the court!! Good luck Tex!! "

" Part I- Tribes continue to endure some of the most horrific poor economic conditions that resulted in food shortages and hunger. Native Americans are more than twice as likely as the general population to face hunger and food insecurity at any given time. The government spends less per capita on Native American health care than on any other group, for which it has responsibility, including Medicaid recipients, prisoners, veterans, and military personnel. Despite the statistics, the Administration sent Congress a budget that would continue to under fund basic tribal programs. Now, who’s at fault for our deficit? I only want to talk about the facts here. The Chairman has repeatedly been blamed for our deficit, when in reality the government has historically and continually under funded tribal program, who pays for this under funding? The tribe pays for the backlogs in under funding of federal program, not to mention all the personal requests on the agenda every month, the last I checked there are 7 elected officials. In addition, it’s the Treasurer of the Tribes with the duty of fiscal responsibility, 4 of those years Marcus was the Treasurer. Back here on the home front, despite the fact that our Chairman exhaustingly continues to make trips to Washington D.C to testify in front of Congress to combat these budget cuts, who has successfully gained the political clout he needs in order to fight the continuing battle of “equality of life for our people”, he continues to be condemned for his efforts. The battle is not here on the home front with one another, it’s in Washington, D.C. where they continue to pass legislation that cuts our funding. Nancy Thorington stated, “some observers have labeled the economic condition in Indian Country “termination by funding cuts”, “as funding has so severely limited the ability of tribal governments to provide services needed to sustain life on reservations.” (See Part II&III below) "

" Come on MHA Nation we need a change! You all talk about how Tex has made us known nationally, well how about locally. We are known for being a broke tribe and I hear others make jokes about it. Tex may be a good leader, but he also knew, saw and maybe even had part in the spending, why didn't he make the changes from the moment that he knew? Yes and you say that Marcus also seen what was going on. Well the last time I remember it took more than one council member to come to a decision. And remember Tex is part of the council, too. I have seen a change in the way certain things are done in the chambers with the different council members. Tex may have done good job representing the Mandan Hidatsa & yes the ARIKARA Nation, but thats all he did, just represent, thats it. I don't care what you say, it is time to change for the better and not the worse. Marcus Wells Jr you have my whole family's support. Yes TEX and Marcus, lets be honest. "

" Tex Hall's a born Leader. Our people need to realize strong leadership is key to our future. Tex is a proven leader. Our people need to open their eyes and see what is happening;where we are being mislead.Our people need to go to council meetings on a regular basis, not just when they need something. Start keeping records of who votes for what and how the deals are made. Experience the deal making that goes on when the council is controlled by the "Team". It may seem that Tex is at odds with the rest of the council but look at the issues. Tex stands up for what is right for our people. Not for vote trading. The "Team" may stand together but their decisions hurt many.The "Team's" decisions have little to do with right and wrong but moreover are for the purpose of taking care of each other and controlling our resources,most often unfairly and with little concern for others.Tex is smart and makes sound decisions.He sees that we as a Nation need to be informed of all issues, locally,nationally and globally if we are to remain a sovereign nation.Tex understands what it takes to build a sustainable economy to secure the future for multigenerations.If you have any questions,take a look at how the casino mmgt contracts were passed and how much these contracts are costing our nation.Then ask why, with our small casino, do we pay Las Vegas prices for our managers.Just one example of what people really need to look at.Take a look at who was present when decisions were made.To our Chairman,thank you for the years you dedicated to our future.I appreciate that you are capable of earning a high paying salary yet dedicated yourself to the needs of our people locally, in the state and nationwide.I am proud of how you have represented our people.I pray for you and our nation every day.That God will watch over our Tribe and see the injustices of the past made right.I pray that each candidate will run an honest race they can be proud of.In Jesus Name. "

" The MHA Nation in on the national stage because of Tex Hall. We are well-known, respected and he has the clout to get things done locally and most importantly on a national level in DC. He has developed relations with other wealthy tribes that can one day invest in our ventures. We have the new bridge, the new jail, Northern Lights center to just name a few. We are in the "red" because the whole council has helped get people jobs! It is give and take. This is not a permanent situation by any means. The oil refinery proposal is the most innovative project that has happen to our people in ages! The potential revenue of $100M a year to the tribe will put us in the black in one year! Tex started this and he should finish it. We will all benefit as a people because of his continued efforts!! "

" Wait a minute -- the whole reason people are being laid off here is because the tribal council, including the challenger, all voted to spend money they didn't have! what's the difference between that and reaching into our wallets and checkbooks? i for one am not going to reward that kind of behavior. count me in as a vote for Tex. "

" I have been proud of what Tex has done for us in his two terms. the problems that have hit us recently have been because of the council. If Marcus has the answer, he would have done something about it a long time ago. "

" Members of MHA Nations, Tex had a chance to put a stop the the over spending for 8 years, yet he did nothing. Have we forgotten how much money that he alone had spent on travel in a years time? Now multiply that by 8 and thats a whole lot. There has been other council members in the past that spent minimal to nothing on travel in those same years. I agree with In Support of New Leadership, But would like to add that under Marcus Wells as Vice chairman the council is facing up to its responsibilties of fixing the the current debt problem. Common MHA members are we going to give Tex another 4 years to spend,spend,spend. Tex talks of generating $100,000,000 a year with the oil refinery but the construction alone could take 2 or 3 years. Then, it will have to pay itself off before it can see any profits. That could take 5 to 10 years. By then, how much more debt will the tribe accumulate? Give Marcus a Chance !! "

" Our tribe needs to wake up and realize that with Tex as chairman we have slowly become a broke tribe. You are right he did put us here, well he had 8 years to prove to us that he was the man to get us out, did he? Now everyone is worried if their job is safe and what they are gonna do when their job is ended. Right now everyone's job should be ok, because neither candidate wants to lose your vote. Either way we all have to come to terms with the layoffs. Or pay cuts. So use your best judgement as in to who you are going to vote for. You think about it, it's true the tribe is taking care of the chairman, instead of the chairman taking care of us. You talk about TEAMWORK, well why don't he use that TEAMWORK and get with the council on certain issues. He fights with the council rather than reason. The kind of TEAMWORK Tex knows is on the basketball court, not in business. Tex is a good person, but come on, its time for a change. Like I said, he had 8 years to prove to us that he was worthy of being chairman, but now I am not so sure. In 2002, I was all for Tex, but this time around Tex I am going to change my vote. Sorry Tex. "

" The Mandan, Hidatsa & Arikara Nation need a new leader that will get us out of the red. We need to become a tribe that we can be proud of and not looked as being broke. Our children(future) need to be pround of who they are and where they are from. Tex is a good man, but look at some of the things that have happened to our tribe since he has been there. Like one comment said he put there, yes that is true, but he can't get us out. He had his chance to get us out. And yes you say that it takes a whole council to make decisions and you are right, but there has been a difference since the few new councilmen have been on. The people talk about a change, well there will be no change if you let Tex back in there. He had 8 years to prove himself and he failed, because now look where we are. And you are right, Tex makes $35.00 some odd dollars and we wonder why the tribe is broke. Instead of the Tex taking care of the tribe, it's more the tribe taking care of him. Marcus Wells is the guy who has to step up and clean up the mess that has been made over the years. I believe that Marcus is the guy that we have to give a try. There is no one else to vote for. The one that I truly thought would've done a decent job is Mr. Hale. He was honest and straight to the point. And is that what we are scared of. "

" To yeah good job Tex: Some of the information in the end of your post could be libelous. I'm not saying it is or isn't true, I'm saying that the Tribune hasn't reported on it. If the comment is posted with that info we could be sued. "

" We are gonna be in the whole for another four years if Tex H. gets back in there, probably for a long time. If Marcus Wells can make a difference then let him try, time for a change. Tex, could'nt do it, he had eight years to do it and nothing. So whats gonna happen,IF he gets back in there. If the people are tired of being broke and being laid off then, why put him back in there. And thats all I gotta say. thanks "

" Someone has to take the lead in solving the Tribes financial problems. It's clear that under Tex's Chairmanship that isn't going to happen. After all, it was under his 8 year leadership that the Tribe got into such a hole. It is good to see the rest of the council making an effort to improve the situation, as tough as that may be. It is also good to see the rest of the council give up some of their perks for the cause. The lack of the Chairman's participation in the tough decision making that the council must now face says alot about his leadership. "

" I was against Mr. Hall at first because he put us in the whole BIG TIME and he wanted to lay off so many tribal workers. After his platform I have a different view. He was not even at the meeting when Wells and Hale and the other memebers of the Tribal council went on record to lay off tribal workers. Tex was not at that meeting, BUT the other memebers were. For the in debt part I fill he still put us there and he should be the one to get us out. "

" I feel that Fort Berthold needs change.The people should really think about that they are going to be voting for. If Tex is such a great chairman, why are people laid off!! I feel that Tex dug use in a hugh hole and now it is going to be hard for the tribe to get out of it. One more thing why is are chairman making over 35.00 an hour. I mean if the tribe is so broke why are you still allowing him to get a nice pay check. Tex you need to start thinking about all the people you laid off… "

" To Concerned: The City Editor will pass the info on to the reporter. We don't promise anything related to stories, but he is passing the info on. "

" Good Luck & Continued Support for Chairman Hall!! He has taken the tribes in new positive directions and made great strides for all Native Americans....the downfall is that he gets all the blame for the negative events that occur locally - which is not uncommon, blame has to be given even tho the facts are not known. It takes the whole council working together to make positive change also - Tex is a baller and a leader - he knows what T E A M W O R K is!!!!! Let him continue with all the work he has started and be our leader AGAIN!!!! "

" Tex has worked hard and brought in money and positive improvements. "