“Chairman Arlan D. Melendez Reelected to a Seventh Consecutive Term”
“Chairman Arlan D. Melendez Reelected to a Seventh Consecutive Term”
Reno, NV- Members of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony turned out on Saturday, November 3, 2007, to reelect Chairman Arlan D. Melendez to a seventh consecutive term as Tribal Chairman. Chairman Melendez has been the leader of the 981-member Colony, consisting of Paiute, Washo, and Shoshone members, for the past sixteen years, making him one of the longest-serving tribal leaders in the State of Nevada. Melendez won the election by a wide majority over challengers Joseph Abbie, Francis T. Dressler, Daryl Doug Gardipe, and José Rodriguez, Jr.
Chairman Melendez is a well-known community leader, especially in Northern Nevada, and under his leadership, along with many Tribal Council members with whom he has served, the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony has become one of the most progressive Tribes in the State of Nevada. On the National scene, Chairman Melendez was appointed to the U. S. Commission on Civil Rights by U. S. Senator Harry Reid, thereby becoming only the second Native American ever to serve on the eight-member Civil Rights Commission.
“Our people seem to be supportive of the leadership and direction of the Tribe, although we need to improve our services to the Community,” commented Chairman Melendez.
Incumbent Tribal Council members Jacqueline Quoetone and Verna Nuño retained their Council seats, while newcomers Kevin Eben and Nathaniel Hunkup won four-year terms to the nine-member Tribal Council.
For more information on the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, please visit the website at http://www.rsic.org.
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