Ak-Chin swears in new members, re-elects Chairman Manuel

“We are still in good hands,” Terry Enos said as he stepped down from the Ak-Chin Tribal Council. “It’s a new era for everybody.

Two newly elected council members were sworn in Wednesday morning and immediately got down to council business.

Ann Marie Antone and Gabriel Lopez won the two seats in the January elections, with Enos coming in third.

“I’m excited and ready to lead,” Antone said.

Antone is new to the council but she’s well known for her work in the community. Lopez is returning the council after a spell away. He previously served three consecutive terms.

“I used to be the youngest person on the council,” Lopez said. “Now I’ll be one of the older members.”

After the swearing-in event, the council met and re-elected Louis Manuel Jr. as chairman and selected Delia Carlyle as vice-chair.

“I am honored to have once again been selected to serve my Community as the chairman,” said Manuel. “Together, the entire Tribal Council, as a team, will continue to be advocates for the Ak-Chin Indian Community and continue to build upon a strong foundation for a strong economy and job growth for our Community members.”

“The Ak-Chin Indian Community has a vision for the future and we will work very hard to turn that vision into reality,” Carlyle said.    

Robert Miguel rounds out the 2015 tribal council.

Four of their counterparts on the Maricopa City Council were in attendance at the ceremony – Mayor Christian Price, Peggy Chapados, Henry Wade and Vincent Manfredi.

Lopez delivered remarks bilingually. “We have to listen to our people and lead our people,” he said. “It’s not just one person; it’s all five of us.”