Cherokee chief's vetoes overriden by tribal council

(Tahlequah-AP) -- Three vetoes by Cherokee Chief Chad Smith were overridden by the Cherokee Nation tribal council. <br><br>It was the first time Smith had been overridden by the council since he took

Wednesday, June 14th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Tahlequah-AP) -- Three vetoes by Cherokee Chief Chad Smith were overridden by the Cherokee Nation tribal council.

It was the first time Smith had been overridden by the council since he took office in August of last year.

Smith vetoed council-approved legislation that would have granted subpoena powers to the council. Other vetoes were on votes to purchase the land adjacent to a tribal hospital and a vote to make the council the recipient of funding for the Cherokee Nation Housing Authority.

Tribal spokesman Mike Miller says each veto was overridden by 10-to-4.

Smith says he vetoed the land purchase because the tribe's comptroller said there wasn't necessary funds in the general fund.