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October 23, 2001 By Jim Mimiaga Following a recount Monday, Judy Knight-Frank held on to her one-vote lead to regain the title of Ute Mountain Ute tribal chair. In the closest election in Ute Mountain tribal history, Knight-Frank ousted incumbent Ernest House by one vote, 239-238, during the Oct. 12 election. The unofficial recount mirrored those results, which were confirmed by three separate sources who witnessed it. Knight-Frank, a former tribal leader, will be sworn into office on Nov. 2. "It was the same number as the original tally," said Norman Lopez, editor of the Weminuche Smoke Signals, the tribe’s official newspaper. The recount, requested by House under tribal election laws, was broadcast live on Ute public television around 2 p.m., Lopez said, with much of the reservation tuning in. "There is a feeling of excitement around here," Lopez said. No stranger to Ute politics, Knight-Frank has held the top tribal post for three separate terms, alternating with House. She has also served on the tribal council. The chair’s term is for three years. In a candidate interview before the election, Knight-Frank said her priorities would be to simplify the tribal court system, better monitor revenues from the Ute Mountain Ute casino and encourage more government accountability to the Ute people. She has a degree in accounting and business marketing and touted her dedication to making informed, fair decisions as part of her leadership style. Knight-Frank could not be reached for comment for this report. Other issues that concern her, she said, include access to health care for Utes, improved legal representation for Utes, and more scrutiny of tribal development plans that include a hotel and golf course. As past tribal leader, Knight-Frank was instrumental in negotiating for the Animas-La Plata project and she worked to create state gaming pacts needed for the Ute casino operation. She also helped secure unemployment benefits to Ute workers. Knight-Frank said that if elected she would support developing a Ute Mountain Ute museum in Towaoc highlighting culture and Ute artifacts. |
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Copyright © 2001 the Cortez
Journal. All rights reserved. |
