Voting members of the Tulalip Tribes opted to maintain the status quo at the annual General Council meeting, held March 14.

Incumbent candidates for the Board of Directors, the Tribes' governing body, easily won re-election over four other challengers. Marie Zackuse and Marlin Fryberg Jr. garnered 386 and 408 votes respectively. The next closest challenger was Mark Hatch, with 208 votes. Each member was eligible to cast two votes to fill the expiring Board seats.

Jared Parks received 184 votes, with 178 votes cast for Dawn E. Simpson and 40 for Toni Sheldon. Ronni Kona withdrew from the race prior to the election.

Officers of the Board were also elected later that day, and voters elected to retain the same slate of officers for the year. Mel Sheldon Jr. returns as chairman, Zackuse will continue to serve as vice-chair, Chuck James was re-elected treasurer, and Fryberg Jr. will continue as secretary.

Board members and officers will be sworn in and take office at the April 4 Board meeting.

"The people of Tulalip spoke with their votes by re-electing Marie Zackuse and Marlin Fryberg Jr.," said Sheldon.

Sheldon also applauded treasurer Chuck James for his financial presentation. The chairman noted that with "prudent planning and budgeting this past year," the Tribes are in a financially stable position. "However, the economic downturn will require ongoing monitoring at all levels of tribal operation," he said.

The Tulalip Board of Directors is also pursuing federal stimulus money for priority projects, according to Sheldon.

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