A Special Recall Election for the Colorado River Indian Tribes happened Nov. 2 and Councilwoman Amanda Barrera retained her seat.

A total of 641 ballots were cast, with one vote spoiled.

Yes votes to recall Barrera totaled 295; no votes to not recall totaled 345.

Tribal member Gary Polacca spearheaded effort to recall Barrera.

Polacca began the recall Aug. 22 and had to get a minimum of 299 signatures to force a recall. He turned in petition papers Sept. 30 to the CRIT Enrollment Department.

On Oct. 3, 351 signatures were certified by the CRIT Tribal Council and the announcement of the recall election date was set.

This of one of many recalls in recent years; in July 2007 a group called the CRIT Coalition attempted to recall the entire nine-member council. One of the complaints was the lack of concrete financial disclosure on BlueWater Resort & Casino, CRIT Farms and other tribal enterprises.

Also, taxation on tribal members was an issue.

The attempt failed and then Tribal Chairman Daniel Eddy Jr. issued a statement that the recall would create “political chaos.”

In August 2008, the campaign to recall Councilwoman Daphne Hill-Poolaw began, however Aug. 21, 2008, the recall was called “null and void” by the tribal council. Tribal member Bonita Fernandez turned in recall petitions on Hill-Poolaw Aug. 8, and attempted to take them back because she didn’t get direction from Tribal Enrollment staff who handled elections.

When Fernandez didn’t get a response she felt the integrity of the petitions might be compromised so she picked them and left the tribal administration office. She was later arrested for theft of tribal property. She was put in jail overnight.

She told the Pioneer “They could have done a cite and release but this is political and they (certain council members) wanted me in jail.”

There was tribal council action Sept. 2, when Treasurer Hill-Poolaw was removed from office, yet retained her position on the council. Councilman Dennis Welsh Jr. was named as interim tribal treasurer.

The following day recall efforts began against Hill-Poolaw. The recall election on the councilwoman was declared for Dec. 13. It was a landslide vote against the councilwoman: 566 voted “yes” to recall and 146 voted “no” to retain her position.

A special election was called for Feb. 13, 2009, to replace Hill-Poolaw; she had two years left on her four-year term.

Winning the election was TJ Laffoon. He had previously run in the regular tribal election in December 2008 and lost by 14 votes.

In October 2009, a recall began on Treasurer Dennis Welsh Jr., by Vinton Tahbo. The recall election was held Dec. 31.

Welsh was recalled with 407 votes for “yes” to recall; and 372 votes “no” to retain him in office. A special election was held March 5 and Welsh won and was returned to office.

A second attempt began on Welsh in April 2010 by Vinton Tahbo. Their attempt failed due to not enough valid signatures on the petitions.

In August another recall on Welsh and Councilman Merving Scott Jr. began. The Sept. 25 recall election was held and the councilmen retained their seats.

Welsh had 360 votes “yes” to recall; and 379 votes “no” to retain him. Scott had 353 “yes” votes to recall; and 387 votes “no” to retain him in office.

That was the last effort on recalls until the attempt to unseat Barrera.