Lumbee leader to leave administrative post vacant

PEMBROKE, N.C. (AP) – The chairman of the Lumbees says he will leave an administrative post vacant after the tribal council twice rejected his nominee for the post.

The Fayetteville Observer reported Paul Brooks said this week he will not recommend another candidate.

Brooks says his recommendation of Gervais Oxendine was the best possible candidate from the applications he had. He told the tribal council earlier this month he had received eight applications.

Brooks says there are more important things for the council to consider before the next tribal election.

Brooks was elected in November to serve the remaining year of former chairman Purnell Swett’s term. Brooks could hire an administrator to handle day-to-day operations of the tribe, but he must get council approval.