Rocky Boy special election is May 21

The deadline is right around the corner for people to file as candidates to fill the spot vacated when the tribal council members at Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation voted to remove their chair.

The special election to fill the spot held by Ken Blatt St. Marks, who won the regular election last fall, is set for Tuesday, May 21.

St. Marks said this morning that he could not comment on whether he would take action to fight his removal.

"I am still the chairman there," he added,

The Chippewa Cree Tribe Business Committee removed St. Marks March 25, saying in a press release it was due to neglect of duty and gross misconduct.

St. Marks has said it was due to his investigating, and cooperating with federal investigators about misuse of federal money, including problems in the funding of the regional water system that led to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation putting a freeze on the project.

Filing for the election closes at 4:30 p.m Thursday. Qualified candidates must file their petition, which requires paying a $150 filing fee, with the Chippewa Cree tribal secretary.

To be eligible, people must be a member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe, have lived on the reservation or on any land under the jurisdiction of the tribe for at least two years prior to the election, be at least 25 years old by May 21, and have completed any sentences for federal or state felony convictions or for convictions in tribal court for misdemeanors involving dishonesty or bribery in handling tribal affairs or any conviction for use, possession or sale of illegal drugs five years before filing as a candidate.