LOWER ELWHA — Frances Charles remains chairwoman of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe after a tribal election last month.
Charles, who was appointed to the tribal council in 1993 and has been elected chairwoman every year since 2005, garnered 110 of the 193 votes cast for the position, or 57 percent of the votes.
“I’m gratified and I thank the community and people for the continued support,” she said. “We have a lot of projects and a lot of different things we’re doing we will be able to continue.”
The tribe is looking toward building a hotel in downtown Port Angeles and expanding its gas station and convenience store along U.S. Highway 101.
The election for council members was close, with a handful of votes deciding who won.
George Charles, who earned 114 votes, was elected to former council member Joseph Turrey’s seat on the tribal council.
Turrey earned 55 votes.
Vice Chair Russell Hepfer was re-elected to his seat on the council with 99 votes. Vanessa Castle was the next closest with 96 votes.
There were 271 ballots cast for the council election. The tribe votes on council members every three years. Two seats are up for election in 2018 and one seat will be voted on in 2019, Charles said.
The tribe votes on both seats at the same time. The top two vote-getters earn a spot on the council.
Anthony Charles will be the tribe’s secretary and treasurer.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsula dailynews.com.
