To the editor:
Something is wrong! The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians’ Food Pantry was closed without notice to the many people, Native and non-Native who have depended on this as a source to feed themselves, when their money has been used for bills. Now the Maliseet Housing Authority can no longer supply fuel to our elderly, due to budget cuts. I don’t think the Tribe realizes not all elders work for the Tribe and many are on fixed income.
The Maliseet Housing Authority suggested the elderly apply for LIHEAP. LIHEAP is not meant to cover the cost of fuel, it is meant to subsidize the cost. I paid $ 400 for 100 gallons of fuel this past winter, with a service charge it was well over $500. This would be close to half or more of the elderly’s monthly income.
With the millions of dollars available in TRIBALCO funds, I would think the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians could pay for fuel for the handful of Elders who would be impacted financially by the Housing Authority budget cuts and costs. TRIBALCO funds has been used to cover employees’ Christmas bonuses, Directors over-expenses in their programs, due to poor management, and to cover employees’ wages when there is a shortfall. It appears the most needy in our Tribe are left to fend for themselves, while the employees gets paid very well, with lots of benefits, including covering the cost of these benefits with TRIBALCO funds.
Kelli Shannon,
tribal member
Houlton
