Bill James Brewington elected as Speaker

PEMBROKE — Councilman Bill James Brewington was elected Speaker during the Tribal Council meeting on Thursday, January 21.

Brewington, who lives in the Union Community, has served on the council since January 2015. He worked for 30 years with the public schools of Robeson County before retiring in 1998. He is currently owner and operator of Pembroke Appraisal Services.

“My goal for the council is to work together for the betterment of all the people,” Brewington said. “We are going to put away personal council issues and work on tribal issues. I’m going to be a speaker for the council, the chairman and the Lumbee people as a whole.”

Brewington replaces Lesaundri Hunt who served as speaker since 2014. In his new role, Brewington will preside over all council meetings. He had served as parliamentarian.

Also on Thursday, Terry Hunt was elected vice chairman. Janie McFarland was re-elected as treasurer. Jan Lowery was re-elected as secretary. Jarrod Lowery was elected as parliamentarian.

The Tribal Council also appointed chairs of the council’s nine committees.

Barbara Lowery was named chair of the Housing Committee.

Janie McFarland, chair of Finance Committee;

Larry Townsend, chair of Constitution and Ordinance Committee;

Jan Lowery, chair of Health and Human Services Committee;

Al Locklear, chair of Economic Development Committee;

Jonathan Locklear, chair of Ethics Committee;

Frank Cooper, chair of Education, Culture and Public Relations;

Jarrod Lowery, chair of Federal Recognition; and

William Maiden, chair of the Lumbee Nation Tribal Programs (LNTP) Committee.

Tribal Chairman Harvey Godwin Jr. attended the meeting and said he stands ready to work with the council for the betterment of the tribe.

Also during the meeting, Councilwoman Anita Hammonds-Blanks was sworn-in as the District 9 representative on the Tribal Council.

Blanks won her re-election bid on January 12. She defeated Elaine McNeil Collins by a vote of 218 to 204. Blanks represents the Saddletree Community. She has served on the council since 2013.

“I’m so pleased to be back on the council for another three years and have the chance to work with our new chairman, Harvey Godwin Jr.,” Blanks said. “I think we can work positively together. I’m excited about this council and its new representation, and the new administration.”