TAHOLAH — Quinault Nation President Fawn Sharp survived a recall election, along with most of the members of the current Quinault tribal executive body.
“I deeply appreciate this vote of confidence by the Quinault membership,” Sharp said.
Tribal member Coni Wilson triggered the recall election by presenting a recall petition to the council with the required 50 signatures.
According to the tribal newsletter, Nugguam, it was the first time there had been a recall effort for an entire executive body.
The newsletter did not detail the issues behind the recall.
There were 440 tribal members registered to vote in the election held Nov. 16 at a special general council meeting at the Taholah School building.
Voting took place in person at the meeting.
When asked whether Sharp should be recalled during the recall election, 138 tribal members voted to remove her, while 211 voted to keep her in her position as president. Five voters abstained.
Vice president removed
Vice President Andrew Mail was removed from office, with 196 votes to recall and 152 to retain him. Six voters abstained.
Mail will be replaced as Vice President by tribal council member Gina James.
Treasurer Larry Ralston retained his position, with 232 votes in support and 119 votes to remove him from the tribal government. Three voters abstained.
Secretary Latosha Underwood also survived the vote, with 79 voting for removal and 267 votes to retain her services. Eight voters abstained.
After the recall voting was complete, a vote was called for two candidates who accepted nominations for the newly vacant vice-presidential position.
Mail was nominated but declined to run for the office from which he had just been removed.
Voters chose Gina James, who currently holds Position 5 on the council, over James DeLaCruz Sr., with 186 voting for James and 61 for DeLaCruz.
The vacant seat created by James’ rise to vice president creates an open seat on the Business Committee, which consists of the tribal council and the four executives: president, vice president, secretary and treasurer.
The annual general council meeting will be held March 28-29 in Taholah, when elections for four of the seven council positions will be held.
________
Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
