For decades, the Miccosukee Tribe has been a fixture of environmental battles in Florida; sometimes standing with conservation groups (on issues of water quality and sources of upstream pollution) but as likely to go its own way. For example, the Tribe differs with Florida's environmental community and scientists who advocate for the elevation of Tamiami Trail to restore water flows to the Southern Everglades and Florida Bay. Amidst the uncertainty about the secretive Tribe decision-making, one characteristic has always been certain: that the Tribe generates respect as the people closest to the Everglades, living in the Everglades and with deep memories of what the Everglades had been, and as a matter of sovereign nation status.
A December 2009 tribal election-- decided by five votes-- upended the long established tribal hierarchy and Billy Cypress, the tribal leader since 1986. The election occurred amidst an investigation of tribal leaders by federal authorities for income tax evasion, related to the gaming operations at the corner of Krome Avenue and Tamiami Trail. The results of the IRS investigation have never been disclosed. Nevertheless, the Tribe's chief legal council, Dexter Lehtinen, was fired. Lehtinen, a former US Attorney (and husband of Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen), relished his role as leading instigator of efforts to protect the Everglades and had fiercely battled with federal agencies he believed to have broken promises.
According to informed sources, the change of tribal leadership was an event accompanied by fear and paranoia within Tribal headquarters. Summary dismissals included anyone whose job was tied to Billy Cypress. Rumors of wiretapping are widespread among staff. The new tribal leader, Collie Billie, is in charge, but like his predecessor is unapproachable. Collie Billie appears to be vastly reducing the Tribe's commitment to scientists and litigation related to Everglades restoration. This may be due the chairman's unfamiliarity with the Everglades in comparison to past leaders. Collie Billie's main focus has been gaming operations of the Tribe. There is apparently concern about future prospects for gaming and the drag of real estate investments outside the tribal boundaries, in anticipation of suburban sprawl and development.
Lehtinen's replacement to represent the Tribe in federal court actions, Sonia Escobio O'Donnell, a partner with the Miami law firm Jordan Burt, was recently dismissed and replaced by in-house counsel to Collie Billie. Two weeks ago, the Tribe's longtime water quality expert Gene Duncan was fired.
7 comments:
So I guess all of the shit you gave Billie Cypress over the years was unfounded? Billie will be re-elected if he chooses to run again. Let's hope it's not to late.
We have had two other blogs mentioning Billie Cypress. So what are you talking about? We hardly mentioned him over the years.
Who in the "you" who gave Billie Cypress shit over the years? Examples, please.
Sorry, you give everyone else so much shit I assumed Billie's IRS wows and ties to politicians and developers would have brough out the very best in you two. I stand corrected.
The insularity of the Miccosukee Tribe is not surprising and an historical fact, but the unwillingness of tribal leadership to engage with its natural allies to protect the Everglades is one of the great mysteries. Billy Cypress relied on Dexter to be his filter for everything. Dexter may have been an unreliable filter because of domineering views. Actually, we know nothing of that attorney client relationship. The secrecy how the Tribe made its decisions was (is) not just problematic on the environmental front but apparently extends to its gambling interests and investments.
I can picture a tear falling from an Indian face as the Everglades gets further stomped.
Dexter Lehtinen was the very best environmental advocate the indians could have had. Sonya ODonnell knew the issues because she previously worked for Mr. Lehtinen. The Tribe fired both firms. Now the Tribe has fired their expert witness, Mr. Gene Duncan. IT SHOULD BE OBVIOUS TO EVERYONE THAT THE NEW CHAIRMAN, COLLEY BILLIE, DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THE EVERGLADES. How can the Miccosukee indians expect to stay involved in Everglades Restoration with Chairman Colley Billie firing everyone in sight? The SFWMD and DEP must be dancing a jig!
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