Tribe picks a new leader
Published 10:26 pm Tuesday, June 30, 2009
ARLINGTON — A woman who began working for the Stillaguamish Tribe in February was last week named chairwoman of the tribal board.
Sandy Klineburger replaces Shawn Yanity, the tribe’s longtime chairman. Yanity remains on the board. He could not be reached for comment.
“My grandmother spent 50 years of her life to get this tribe recognized, and it’s a promise I made to her that I would get my education and continue her dream,” Klineburger said, referring to Esther Ross, who helped lead the tribe to federal recognition in 1976.
Tribal members elected Klineburger to the board late last month. The board elected her as its chairwoman last week.
The six-member board has four new members, including Klineburger. Patrice Kempf, vice-chairman, and Stacy White, treasurer, also were elected last month, Klineburger said. Kristina Hop joined the board early this year to replace a board member whose term on the board ended, she said.
Yanity and Jody Soholt, board secretary, are the only two board members to continue their posts from last year, Klineburger said.
Klineburger, 27, has worked in the tribe’s vocational rehabilitation department since February. She recently attended Skagit Valley Community College and plans to transfer to a university to earn a bachelor’s degree. She holds an associate’s degree in business computers, she said.
Klineburger said she’s hopeful that changes in leadership will usher in a new era for the tribe.
Eddie Goodridge, Jr., the tribe’s former executive director, was sentenced in March to 14 months in federal prison for his role in selling untaxed cigarettes at the Blue Stilly Smoke Shop, which he and his family owned and operated on Stillaguamish tribal land.
Goodridge’s father, Ed Goodridge, a longtime tribal leader, also was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison. His mother, Linda Goodridge, was sentenced to home detention and probation.
Goodridge’s cousin, Sara Schroedl, a former tribal board member was sentenced to eight months in federal prison for her role in the scheme.
Krista J. Kapralos: 425-339-3422, kkapralos@heraldnet.com.
