Michael C. Guilmette
Staff Reporter
BAY MILLS — His desk piled high with papers, newly-elected Bay Mills Tribal Chairman Jeffery Parker is settling into his position guiding the Executive Council for the next two years.
Elected on Nov. 5, Parker was sworn in on Nov. 10, chairing the General Tribal Council meeting the following day. Although he is new this term, Parker is no stranger to the tribal chairman position, having previously held the office for 12 years.
“I would like to see the tribe better in two years,” Parker said, laying the basis for his agenda as tribal chairman. He said that he would like to empower individual program directors and managers while making them more responsible and fiscally accountable. Speaking in particular about the governmental operations, Parker said that the Executive Council will serve a support and policy role rather than handle day to day operations.
In regards to enterprise operations — Bay Mills Resort and Casino, Kings Club Casino, Wild Bluff Golf Course and the new RV park — Parker felt that these operations were sustaining themselves well.
“The member employees [of the enterprise operations] do a good job,” Parker said. He is pleased with the training programs offered to employees, saying that the training has been beneficial and it gives employees a good foundation and experience to take to another job should they decide to move on.
He said that it would be the role of the Executive Council to see that profits from the enterprise operations are spent appropriately, underscoring his theme of fiscal responsibility within tribal operations.
On issues facing the tribe, Parker said that the lawsuit against the state of Michigan over inland hunting rights in the ceded territories — lands ceded to the federal government by the 1836 treaty — would be a key issue over the next year. Parker said that the issue would be adjudicated in the courts, but he felt that the courts would rule in the tribe's favor, saying that he was “confident in our position.”
Parker also spoke of supporting education in the community, saying that he has always been a strong proponent of education. He said that the tribally started schools must be supported.
Parker is also looking to diversify the economic base of the community in hopes of shifting it away from a solely service oriented economy. He said that he would like to see the tribe initiate some manufacturing operations. He would like to employ the Bay Mills' status as a tribal entity to garner more favorable contracts with “Corporate America.” Even with his plans, Parker stressed that he was still getting up to speed, and he will need to develop a plan with the new council.
“I want the council to work through consensus,” Parker said. He also spoke highly of the previous council, saying that they did a lot of good things.
“I just love this community,” Parker said. “I hope that what is accomplished will make the community proud.”
