Commentary 2-19-14
The Cherokee nation health initiative program with 4 clinics and a hospital in Tahlequah is a great initiative for the health and well being of our people.
I helped spearhead this effort and all of the CN is excited.
Administration, Council, Health, Tero and CNB from the get go were on board.
The initial input was that we are going to do prevailing wage or Davis Bacon.
This came from the administration, health, Council, and CNB.
We wanted to use Davis Bacon to insure the highest quality workmanship, and to pay Cherokees and Indians a living wage on the job, and we may pick up some federal funding.
We are using prevailing wages at Sallisaw and we have very high Tero participation, and very high Cherokee and Indian employment. Everything is working as intended.
I have recently found out that for some reason CNB-CNCR has now decided to stop using prevailing wage.
I have asked the question "why" to Admin, Health, Tero, Cnb, Attorney General office, and the CNB owned management company CNCR.
Each area at first mentioned that we would save money on labor costs. Then CNCR has told me we would NOT save money by not using prevailing wage because most vendors are essentially paying that amount anyway.?
As stated Sallisaw is using prevailing wage and we have high Tero percentage.
At Ochelata the 2nd clinic to be built and brought online, about 1/2 of the bids are already bid and won and accepted by CNCR with the bid package stating that Davis Bacon or prevailing wage would be utilized!
AND now I have been told that some company's that won bids at Ochelata, those bids have been kicked out and the packages are being reworked and reworded and at least one of the company's that thought they had the bid but were kicked out now have stated they will NOT re bid again. I was told by CNCR That company is a Cherokee owned Tero certified company.
I was told the CNB lawyers cleared this. I was told the CN Attorney General cleared this. I have asked the Attorney General office about this and I have not received an answer.
Whats going on here.?
It just does not have a good smell to it.
Is this legal?
Is this an ethical way for the CNCR-CNB to do business? I say NO.
Should all bids at Ochelata be rebid at this time to insure fairness and total transparency? I say YES.
Should Davis Bacon or prevailing wage be utilized for the remaining 3 clinics and hospital?
It's working great at Sallisaw!
Dick Lay, Cherokee Nation Councilor
The viewpoints expressed in columns and letters are the opinions of the writers and not necessarily the opinion or viewpoint of the Native American Times publisher or staff. Letters to the editor are welcome and may be submitted via e-mail to