August 26, 2010 –
Jim Potter taking the oath of office for secretary with Steve Ortiz, tribal chairman.
MAYETTA: James “Wabaunsee” Potter took the oath of office as secretary of the Tribal Council this morning at the Bingo Hall. He was sworn in by Steve Ortiz, Tribal Council chairman, and received a Pendleton blanket as a gift from the PBPN. Following the ceremony he participated in a congratulatory receiving line and refreshments were served at a reception in his honor.
Potter defeated Dawn “Sogi” LeClere in a run-off election last Saturday by a vote count of 429 (57.03%) to 330 (42.97%) for LeClere. In the first election held July 24, the two received the highest number of votes over Noah Wahquahboshkuk and Paul Vega but neither one had a majority plus one vote count needed to win that election. Due to a constitutional change approved by the PBPN in 2007, successful candidates must win by majority plus one or a run-off election is held four weeks later. Successsful winners in the first election were Steve Ortiz for chairperson, Junior Wahweotten for council person, and Rey Kitchkumme for gaming commissioner.
Potter has been an elected official for the PBPN since 1996 except for a short time in 2004 when he lost the treasurer’s position to Ryan Dyer. In the fall of 2004 he was reelected to the Tribal Council in a special Tribal Council election and has served on the Council ever since. His new position is for four years.
He told a large audience today that he was humbled by the privilege to serve and considered it an honor to work for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.
Left to right: Ryan Dyer, Potter, Junior Wahweotten and Ortiz after Potter received his blanket. Other Tribal Council members Joyce Guerrero and Carrie O’Toole also attended the ceremony today.
At left is Norwood Nocktonick shaking hands with Potter in the receiving line.
A large crowd gathered to witness the ceremony and to have some cake and coffee.