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Show asm SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY MAY 3, 2000 Opinion 4 Letters to the Editor What is your opinion? This newspaper welcomes opinions from its readers concerning any subject. Anything of a libelous nature or defamation of character will not be considered for publication. Please limit your letters to 300 words or less. We reserve the right to edit for clarity or length. Letters must be signed and include your full name, address and telephone number. Are your civil rights being violated? Dear Editor: (Look at this situation and de- ments. He is determined to carry out these threats, although he has been advised these actions are illegal. His action further must be with the knowledge of the tribal council. Information from reliable You are leaving the Fredonia area on your way to St. George, sources state that tribal officers Utah, traveling west on Arizona are instructed to escort those State 389. Your mind is on stopped for civil traffic violations thoughts far away, when you immediately to the tribal court become aware of flashing lights and to confiscate property of sufficient value should they not in the rear view mirror. Glancing down to your speed- pay their fines or bond. Monies are being paid due to well a lot ometer, speed is the fear of property confiscation. As than you thought. higher The tribal judge claims complete shoulder to an you pull the right officer is requesting your drivers jurisdiction over all who are on license and informing you of the the reservation, both in civil and violation. You notice the shoul- criminal matters. He includes der patches on the officers uni- Moccasin, Arizona, which is a form state B.I.A. (thats Bureau mile square of deeded land, of Indian Affairs, or Tribal Of- which has been there before the ficer). No problem, as B.I.A. reservation was formed and is (Tribal Officers) are recognized now surrounded by reservation. To my knowledge, Moccasin is as peace officers with full auowned and occupied by officer in as a the peace thority members. The 4 th AmendState of Arizona. The officer has you sign a cita- ment to the Constitution of the tion, gives you a copy and termi- United States states the right of nates the contact. Nothing un- the people to be secure in their usual or unpleasant. However, persons, houses, papers, and efwhile reading your copy of the fects against unreasonable citation, notice is taken that on searches and seizures. The U.S. date you are to appear in the Supreme Court on many subKaibab Piute Tribal Court, be- jects wanders from side to side fore a Tribal Judge. (Whats over the years. However, on the happening? People I know who subject of tribal court right to members, the got tickets on 389 were sent to a try Justice of the Peace in Mocca- court has been very firm and consistent over a very narrow sin, Arizona). The tribal officer has the au- path, stating that tribal court thority to write citations into has no authority over the justice court, and where the members. I have 15 cases dating from situation starts to smell like three day old fish is the fact you 1959 to 1999 stating this, rehave been sent to a court which peating the same decision over has no authority OVER ANY and over again. TRIBAL cide.) non-trib- non-trib- al al non-trib- al MEMBER, in- COURTS HAVE NO AUTHORL MEMcluding Indians from any other ITY OVER BERS. tribes. Stand up for your rights, they The tribal j udge has instructed are his officers (and requested the slowly being taken from us, Arizona Highway Patrol and and if not demanded, will soon Mohave County Sheriffs Offic- no longer exist. The offenses ers) to cite all violations on the involved are civil matters, not reservation into his court. Res- criminal and it appears to be an ervation boundary is from mile illegal way to obtain your hard post 14 to 30, almost half of the earned dollars as a revenue raisdistance from Fredonia to Colo- ing ploy. If you have the misfortune to rado City. be involved with this situation, In the past it has been standard practice for all Arizona keep your cool, be polite, ask for Highway Patrol Officers work- your offense to be transferred to ing a reservation to be commis- the Moccasin Justice Court. If sioned by the Bureau of Indian this does not happen, as soon as Affairs so that they could cite you are clear of the immediate tribal members into tribal court. situation, notify any or all of the Commissions are no longer is- following: Moccasin Justice sued. The tribal judge threat- Court, Mohave County Attorens to order the confiscation of ney, U.S. Attorney Generals property of an ALLEGED OF- Office, Federal Bureau of InvesFENDER, should they fail to tigation. (They handle all felocomply with tribal court require nies on the Indian Reservation, NON-TRIBA- L NON-TRIBA- as well as civil rights violation) prizes, so come out and join us. Sharon Goodnow One voice is seldom heard Shayleen Lathim clearly, so all who may become involved, or those who have alTake pride ready been victims, please contact tiie proper authorities , make Dear Editor: your problem their problem. The Sharry Pickett, Utah Departbetter the the numbers, ment of Natural Resources, relarger the response. Without your help, quested that I promote Goverwe cannot stop this abuse of our nor Leavitts TAKE PRIDE IN civil rights. Respectfully, Donald Sarrells Fredonia, Arizona UTAH campaign in Kane Jubilee for candy, Fredonia Texaco for candy, the City of Fredonia, Piute Tribe and Crazy Jug for their donations. They always come through for us. Thanks to the parents who sent one dozen eggs to the hunt. We would also like to thank the Fredonia Junior Firefighters and Jodi for coloring 30 dozen eggs for us. And last, but not least, our Bunnies for taking time out oftheir busy schedules to see that the eggs were all hidden. The kids had a good time, and next year there will be alot more AAA Deadlines AAA FRIDAY 1 PM See LETTERS, Page 5 Fun Easter Egg hunt Dear Editor: We would like to say what a great success the Fredonia Easter Egg Hunt was. Ifithadnot been for the following businesses and people, we could never have pulled it off as easy and fun as we did. We would like to thank Glaziers Food Town once again for donating the eggs, Honeys SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS l iwm wn newspaper The Southern Utah News (ISSN No. 0049-165is published every N. Main at 26 Utah 84741 . The SUNews serves St., Kanab, Wednesday Kane County, Utah, and the Arizona Strip. Address communications to 26 N. Main St., Kanab, Utah 84741 , or telephone Fax Advertising rates available upon request. Second Class postage paid at Kanab, Utah 84741. Newsstand price is 50c per copy. Yearly subscription rates to Kane County addresses and Fredonia and Moccasin, Arizona, $22; others $30 (out of U.S. $50). The SUNews reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement or submitted items. 9) 435-644-290- 0, Dennis Brunner Carol Sullivan Dixie Brunner Laurali Noteman Reporters Myma Cox Valley News Publishers and Editor Sharlotte Brewer Production Staff Michael Evangelista ProductionLayout Barbara Pyles Feature Writer Postmaster Send change of address cards to 26 N. Main St, Kanab, UT 84741 435-644-29- |