Photos by clare jensen
TRIBAL MEMBER JEFF MCCLOUD SUBMITS HIS BALLOT AFTER VOTING JUNE 6. He is one of 880 tribal members who voted in the general election.
The Puyallup Tribal membership came out in full-force June 6 to vote for who they wanted to see sitting in the three council aseats up for grabs.
In total, 880 tribal members voted in the 2009 general election.
Of the six candidates Sylvia Miller received the most votes, with 463 nods of support.
“It’s overwhelming the number of people who came out to vote, the number of people who care about this tribe,” said David Miller in response to the large turnout for the general election.
David Miller has held a seat on council in the past. Prior to her election to council, she worked as an executive administrative assistant for the Tribe.
Incumbents Larry LaPointe and David Bean received 412 and 392, respectively, getting them re-elected to the governing body of the tribe.
Larry LaPointe has served on the tribal council for the past 15 years, grew up in Tacoma and graduated from Lincoln High School. After his graduation, Larry LaPointe joined the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty in Vietnam.
David Bean has been on the council for the past three years and graduated from University of Puget Sound in 1991. He worked as a shellfish diver and harvester for 12 years before being elected to council.
Henry John was also up for re-election but did not make the cut with 330 votes.
Tribal administration employees Roleen Hargrove and Don Coats tallied in at 375 and 304, respectively, keeping them out of the council chambers.
Sylvia Miller, Larry LaPointe and David Bean will be sworn into their three-year terms June 11.
