Politics

Dry Creek Band reduces salaries of tribal board of directors






An aerial view of Alexander Valley RV Park & Campground, a tribally-owned business. Photo from Dry Creek Rancheria

Voters of the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians in California head to the polls tomorrow to choose who will the tribe.

Chairman Harvey Hopkins is running for re-election. He faces two challengers -- vice chairwoman Salvina Norris and Chris Wright.

Hopkins is confident he will win, citing strides in improving the tribe's finances. He noted that he has given up his $100,000 salary in exchange for a $200 monthly stipend.

The salaries for the tribe's board of directors also have been reduced, The Santa Rosa Press-Democrat reported. They five members took a 20 percent cut.

Elections have been controversial on the reservation. In 2013, two candidates who spoke out against Hopkins were disenrolled after the tribe looked into their enrollment records.

The tribe subsequently announced a 10-year moratorium on disenrollments. Hopkins said a committee is examining a potential change to the tribal constitution to address the matter.

Get the Story:
Two challenge Harvey Hopkins in Dry Creek Pomo leadership role (The Santa Rosa Press-Democrat 11/14)

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