Cherokee band votes to fire housing authority director

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) -- Members of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokees have voted to fire housing authority director Nancy Lambert.

Lambert had been criticized for not attending regular meetings and not keeping the tribal council informed of budget issues.

"She was asked to be at that meeting, and she didn't attend,"

Carolyn Bilby, tribal member and administrative assistant for the tribe's Federal Programs office, said after Tuesday's meeting.

Bilby said the vote was unanimous.

"She will be replaced," Bilby said. "But we don't want to say who her replacement will be until we get everything ironed out for a smooth transition."

The housing authority is responsible for distributing about $885,000 from federal Housing and Urban Development funds to the tribe's 7,000 members for home loans and building projects.

Lambert told the Muskogee Daily Phoenix before the Tuesday meeting that she had turned in her letter of resignation to the tribe's chief, Jim Henson. Henson could not immediately be reached for comment.

Office workers said they had no record of Lambert's resignation.

"I answer to Jim Henson," Lambert said. "That's the only person I need to tell."

Henson was dismissed by the housing authority board last week amid allegations that he "protected" Lambert.

Lambert is running against Adalene Proctor Smith for Delaware District council member in a runoff election slated for Dec. 4.

Voters also must decide between Dallas Proctor and John Hair for chief and Mose Killer and Betty Jumper Holcomb for Tahlequah District council member.