Steven Edmonds - son of Wimpy Edmonds. Sharp young man but has made some mistakes. Former employee of our tribe as police officer. Wrecked police car by running over another car on back road miles from our usual patrol area. Steven still has, in my opinion, a lot of potental and would probably make a very good Chairman - after he has proved himself somewhere else.

Brenda Shemayme Edwards - daughter of Roscoe Shemayme. She, like Steven and Bobby Joe, has lived in the Binger area most of her life and has taken part in many Caddo events - tribal meetings, tribal dances, dinners and funerals. She knows our culture, people and needs - first hand.

She has college and, thus the ability to function in the worlds led by other cultures. She is computer literate.

She, again like Steven and Bobby Jo, has actually taken part in Tribal controversys and conflicts - at Tribal Membership Meetings. She is tough, even though she is little (in size!), and she does not back down on what she believes is right! Yes, she has made mistakes - like all of us - but she has the courage to come back and try to make things right. (one of the mistakes that she made was to vote to remove me from the Tribal Council - along with Ann and Marilyn.) (one of the things that she did right was to stand courageously against the mob that was trying to remove me as Tribal Chairman in 1983 or 1984. She stood all by herself against all of them - the rest of my supporters had gone up on the hill to the Princess dinner!)

Bobby Joe Gonzales - Bobby Joe is the great great grandson of George Kionute, who was the father of several children - including Bobby Joe's great grandfather, Lymon Kionute's father, my grandmother (Beatrice Dice) and Wilson Kionute and (the youngest) John Kiounte (father of Merle, Ladonna Daingkau, and Edna Mae Verrilla).

Bobby Joe has lived in the Binger area all of his life. He has been interested in our people all of his life and has studied and listened to our elders - thus he has become one of the youngest experts on Caddo culture.

He promised (as a teenager) that he would learn to be a good leader for our people and he has worked toward that end all of his life.

He has a wonderful wife and he has taught his children the "Caddo ways" as he knows them. He has written or had a part in writing several documents that have preserved our Caddo culture and "ways".

I will have to finish this later, my nurse is coming.
---- Mary Pat

Biggest problem with Brenda Edwards: She voted for Frank Shunock, Grellner and that bunch. Has stood with them against others of the council when they tried to get rid of them. This is recent, only this year from what is known.

Brenda = Grellner, attorney that can't be trusted. She is sweet, and wet behind the ears. And can be manipulated. Needs more experience.

Do you two really think that what you are doing is an "on line debate"? This is a free for all of you giving your personal opinions about the canditates... and I DON'T CARE about your opinions. The original idea was to give the Candidates a forum to express their platforms and answer some questions but as usual it has turned negative and one big gossip session. Very sad, no wonder we are in the state we are in. My wish is still for a constructive, focused, rules in place debate put on by the Election Board.

I agree with Caddo Woman.

There is way too much anonymity to hold debate on an online forum. We all know that there WILL be bashing which will make it unconstructive to the intended purpose. I think this should be held at the tribal complex in a public forum under the direction of the election board. We need to see how these people conduct themselves under scrutiny; after all, our next leader will be representing the Caddo people to the world. There’s nothing like the real thing!

Jen is right. This debate should be held at the Complex. Judge how much the candidates know instead of having our relatives telling us who to vote for. There are too many misunderstandings, gossip, simply lies, etc. Qualifications regarding knowledge of how to do business and having a business background would be very important. Just because someone is Caddo does not make them qualified to represent the entire tribe. I would like to see someone who knows the proper procedures sitting as my representative as well as having good Caddo culture in their history.

Caddo people requested a forum in OKC for all the candidates. Needs to be one in the big city, also. There needs to be more than one.

Looks like Jen is the next representative. A good candidate, with a good sincere and objective attitude. Knowledgeable in many areas.

Thank you, I'll do my best!!!

Heard that Vicky Pickering (Caddo Newsletter & website) has asked each candidate for a statement. If you know any of them, please urge them to put their statement and credentials, background, degrees, so voters can make informed decisions.

Lots of gossip is out there already. How candidates handle this scrutiny is important. We live in a real world with rumors flying all about. The chairman and Vice-Chairman, especially, should hold a degree, and be able to conduct business in an appropriate manner.

I turned in my bio early last week, haven't heard anything else about it.

Sorry, you all. A debate does need to be held at the complex - under the direction of the EB. But the voters who can not get there still need to know about each candidate. That is good that Vicky is getting or trying to get that in the news letter. However there are still several of us who do not get the newsletter.... so that problem needs to be solved.

I thought that some would like to know what I do know about each candidate. I mean first hand - what I know.

I still would like to know who some of these people are. And that means who their families are...that is what we mean when we say "who is so and so?" Who are their family? For instance, one of the candidates is probably a nephew of LaRue, which means that the candidate is probably the cousin of the chair of the election Board. Is that so? Is that allowable? If it is true.

Mary Pat: Many folks would like to know your personal views. For one thing, you are not anonymous. So that makes me think you tell the truth from your heart. You are right that one candidate is Stephen Martin. Think he is Parker's son or nephew. What are his qualifications?

From previous election years, it seems if there was a forum anywhere, that candidates tried their best to get there to let people know who they were and what their background is. Candidates forum in Binger: yes! Candidates forum in OKC: yes!! If candidates are interested in the many OKC voters, bet they'd try to get there.

Maybe a better word than debate is forum. Debate sounds too formal.

Keep your posts and questions coming, Mary Pat.

We all agree on the idea of a debate/forum but the location seems to be the issue. I wonder if the election board will send out bios of the candidates like they did the last election to help voter's decide.

My representative (Kenny) spoke of having the candidates present at his next meeting so I wonder if he will still do that since he is running for chairman. Maybe some of us OKC people can help organize a forum for our area. I'll see what I can come up with and report back.

Is there anyone who would be willing to organize a candidate forum for the Binger, Anadarko, Ft. Cobb area?

Find a place and a date, Jen or Kenny or anyone else.

Don't think it's the election board's place to send anything out except ballots and election announcements. Believe that would go to the information specialist at the tribe: newsletter, website. That is Vicky Pickering, and even though her husband is running for chairman: Dwight Pickering. Think this lady is objective and would just present the facts: who, what, etc.