And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
>From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>Date: Mon, 7 Dec 1998 12:34:11 EST
>To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>Subject: Angry group protests Swinomish utility tax
>X-Comment: Nevada Indian Environmental Coalition
>
>Angry group protests Swinomish utility tax
>
>Channel Town Press
>LaConner, Washington
>December 2, 1998
>
>The American Resolution started with a single shot. A more local revolution,
>on the Swinomish Reservation, began with a heated meeting.
>
>Representatives from the Fidalgo Alliance for an Informed Republic (F.A.I.R.)
>hosted an informational meeting for a capacity crowd at the Hope Island Fire
>Hall Monday night. The meeting was scheduled to address the Swinomish
Tribe's
>new three percent business privilege tax ordinance.
>
>CTP first broke the story to the general public on November 18.
>
>The tax, whch was approved by the Tribal Senate in August, will be charged to
>utility providers, who will likely pass down the cost to their customers.
>
>Utility venders and other service providers received notification on November
>6.
>
>The notice informed the utility that the Tribe would begin imposing the
tax on
>gross retail sales of utility services on January 1, 1999.
>
>Utilities that will fall under the taxation include: water, power, garbage,
>cable, local and long distance telephone services, wireless communications
>(cell phones and pagers), septic services, gas, propane, heating oil and
>sewer.
>
>Although there was no visible representation from the Tribe, Monday's meeting
>was well attended by residents from SneeOosh, Shelter Bay, Pull and Be
Damned,
>Shorewood and outlying areas of the Reservation.
>
>Even with the geographical differences, the consensus was clear. None of the
>residents were willing to pay the tax.
>
>"As I see it, the only group to stand up and back down the Tribe was Fire
>District 13," said resident Kathleen Whalley. "If we don't stand as a
>unit.... The Tribe is excellent at dividing and conquering."
>
>Whalley was referring to a November advisory ballot in which Fire District 13
>officials, frustrated with trying to collect promised funding from the Tribe
>for emergency services, sought to annex certain areas of the Reservation in
>hopes that the Bureau of Indian Affairs would take over payments.
>
>District officials came to terms with the Tribe shortly before the election
>and the Swinomish paid the agreed amount. But it was too late to remove the
>measure from the ballot.
>
>Even though moot, the numbers cleared that over 80 percent of District 13
>voters were no longer willing to pay for the Tribe's fire protection.
>
>Among the many reasons listed for implementing the utility taxation ordinance
>is to fund the contributions to District 13.
>
>This raised the hackles of both land and homeowners on the reservation who
>already pay for emergency services through their real estate and/or personal
>property taxes.
>
>Skagit Farmers Supply fuels manager, Bill Marcus, was the only utility
>provider to show up at the meeting.
>
>He was clearly frustrated with the situation.
>
>"I've been hard at it ever since we were notified," he explained. "I've
tried
>to contact legislators and so far the only ones who have returned my calls
>were Congressman Jack Metcalf and State Senator Mary Margaret Haugen," he
>explained.
>
>"What did they say?" came a cry from several members of the crowd.
>
>"They said they were concerned and would be looking into it," he said,
>somewhat dejectedly.
>
>"I was told to take it to Tribal Court," he explained as the crowd broke out
>in laughter.
>
>"That, in my mind, is a step that needs to be taken," he continued.
>
>According to Marcus, his company was not likely to impose the tax. He was
very
>concerned that the Tribe would then have the authority to audit his books if
>they felt the need.
>
>"If if gets to be too much of a hassle, you turn around at the bridge.
>Right?" said area resident Kirby Johnson.
>
>"That's a definite possibility," answered Marcus.
>
>The discussion shifted to the issue of taxation without representation.
>
>Non-Indian landowners and those on leased land fall under some of the rules
>and regulations imposed by the Tribal Senate, but are not permitted to
vote in
>elections or have representation.
>
>Many of those present Monday night wanted that representation.
>
>"It can't happen," explained Shelter Bay resident, John Fleming. "We were
>talking about a feudal system here. Birth rights...you bet. Inheritance of
>land...you bet," he said angrily. "Some of this tax money will support the
>Tribe's religious and cultural events. Until you get mad, and I mean damn
>mad, we won't get any action."
>
>The group agreed to start a massive letter writing campaign to their elected
>officials and the media.
>
>"If there's one thing the tribal administration doesn't like it's negative
>publicity," claimed one member of the audience.
>
>The group hopes to pressure utility companies who do impose the tax to
list it
>as a separate line item.
>
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