NAVAJO COUNCIL DEBATING LEGISLATION 0025-14, WHICH WOULD AMEND NAVAJO LAW AND SET FOUR TERM LIMIT FOR PRESIDENT. THE SPECIFIC LAW TO BE AMENDED WOULD BE TITLE 2, SECTIONS 105 AND 1002.

DELEGATE NELSON BEGAYE
If truly people have right to choose their leader based on Dine’ Fundamental Law then that is reason for unlimited terms. But there are cases where people use Fundamental Law to circumvent tribal election laws.

DELEGATE KATHERINE BENALLY
At first glance I was supportive. At second glance, I’m opposed. Delegate Nez’s amendment could have allow unlimited terms. and with that said, we talk about how the people have the voice. we need to consider that and it’s up to people. you are depriving people of choice. in my case, i told constituents that i would not run in last term but people pleaded with me to continue leadership. and with respect to presidential candidates they also have right to run in presidential election and it will be up to people to choose. so it is the voice of the people so let’s let them decide. and the composition of council, maybe at some point in time, it will increase membership. but this change in qualifications for candidates is unfair. candidates have already picked up candidacy documents and it could discourage the people from voting.

DELEGATE ALTON SHEPHERD
I ask who would determine random lot.

DELEGATE LORENZO CURLEY
recently the U.S. Supreme Court upheld laws that unlimited money to candidates. In our society, there is reason for term limits. And Dine’ Fundamental Law can be miscontrued. I was talking with leader from another tribe. He asked how many facing re-election. I said all of them. He was surprised. He said there is need for continuity to keep leadership. That is about public policy and I agree with the amendment because of that. I’m not reformer, it’s about public policy.

DELEGATE EDMUND YAZZIE
i’M IN FAVOR of term limits and respect Dine’ Fundamental Law. and when talk with elders back home, they make decisions. President’s Office has term limit. We need to talk about these amendments, all the do’s and don’ts. we are confused about these issues as leaders. if we don’t allow term limits on ourselves as council then why do to president. and we have criminal charges against some of council members. and we put speaker on leave and there was no guilty verdict in court so we need to re-look at this. we’re just from one table to the next with our legislation. and there will be council members with criminal charges that will probably run for office. we will confuse people and people are already asking what the council is doing. so perhaps we should ask people though referendum and table this legislation.
MOTION TO TABLE 0025-14 TO SUMMER COUNCIL SESSION. SECOND BY DELGATE KENNETH MARYBOY

DELEGATE DAVID TOM, SPONSOR
we met with President Shelly. I support four term limit for president. and we are setting policy for young political generation. there are people that support term limits for leaders.

VOTE ON AMENDMENT TO CHARGE “FOUR” TERMS TO “TWO” TERMS FOR PRESIDENT, at 5 pm
4 in favor, 15 opopsed. TABLING FAILS