The Tule River Indian Tribe wrapped up its 2011 elections Sunday with an impressive 75 percent voter turnout.

Of 443 registered voters, 336 cast their ballots (including 23 absentee ballots) by the 8 p.m. deadline Saturday.

Vote counting was observed by a standing-room only crowd in the Brafford Room at the tribal headquarters, and a new Tribal Council was seated just before 3 a.m. Sunday.

The Tribal Council is charged with a number of responsibilities, including providing employment for tribal members, keeping the community informed, monitoring programs to ensure they run smoothly, having council meetings on a regular basis to conduct business more efficiently, making education a priority and having quarterly community meetings to address tribal members’ questions and concerns.

Of the 27 candidates vying for one of five open seats on the council, Heather Teran and Duane M. Garfield Sr. were reelected, while Rhoda Hunter, Kevin Bonds and Michele McDarment were chosen to fill the remaining vacancies. All five will serve 2-year terms.

Newcomer McDarment gained voter preference by securing 117 of the votes and was additionally elected as treasurer, with Garfield Sr. following at 97 votes.
Also remaining on the nine-member governing board is Ryan Garfield, who retained his seat as chairman, Buck Carothers, elected vice chairman, Willie J. Carrillo Sr, reelected as secretary and James Diaz.

Garfield thanked the outgoing council members, Gayline Hunter, Melanie Santos and Gary Garner Santos for their service to the tribe.

2011 Tule River Health Board Members
- Yolanda Gibson, Chairperson
- Loleta Garfield, Vice Chairperson
- Christina Dabney-Keel, Treasurer
- Rhoda M. Hunter, Secretary
- Alex Robles

2011 Tule River Elders Council
- Mary Hermieo, Chairperson
- Betsey Foote, Vice Chairperson
- Linda Santos, Secretary
- Thelma Anderson, Treasurer
- Louise Williams
- Rhoda M. Hunter
- Kevin Bonds
- James Diaz