Wednesday, 15 August 2007 01:47

Board of Supervisors Hear About Donation Controversy Within Ione Band of Mi-wok

slide3The agenda at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisor’s meeting was light but there was no shortage of public comment for items not on the agenda. First to approach the Board was Nicholas Villa, Jr., who identified himself as the traditional chief of the Ione Band of Mi-Wok Indians.

Villa presented the Board with a letter informing them that the federally recognized Chairman of the Tribe, Matt Franklin and his tribal government were making donations in the amount of 16, 000 dollars to various organizations. Those organizations include the Plymouth Fire firefighters association in the amount of 5000 dollars, Future farmers of America in the amount of 1000 dollars and 14,000 dollars to the Amador County Fair. Villa pointed out that these donations were made from the tribe, to what he considered, “county” groups. A tribe that Villa stated is now proposing to build their casino within the jurisdiction of the county. Villa claimed that these donations were not authorized or voted on by the tribe, and to him, appeared to be a bribe to the county now that the casino is proposed for the county instead of the city of Plymouth.

Villa asked that the matter be agendized by the Board of Supervisors for a future meeting. Supervisor Richard Forster responded to slide18 Villa stating that all three organizations are actually independent from the county and that the county actually has no oversight or relationship to these groups. Board Chairman Louis Boitano pointed out that the Amador Fire Protections District, an arm of the county, does have a contract with Plymouth for firefighting services, but once again- the contract with AFPD is independent of the Plymouth Fire Fighters Association. Forster suggested Villa go the fair board and perhaps the school district regarding the FFA donations. County Administrative Officer Terri Daly will be providing Villa with the appropriate contact information. Another member of the public then commented that she appreciated the tribe’s donations to the local organizations in desperate need of funds. Federally recognized Tribal Leader Matt Franklin states in a March 2004 letter that he “…strongly rebuts” Villas claims and states that for years (Villa) has falsely claimed to be our tribe’s “hereditary chief.”