PHILADELPHIA, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
She has been in office only 126 days now, but the first democratically elected female tribal chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is already proving to be a mover and a shaker. Chief Phyliss Anderson gave 3 on Your Side an exclusive interview about her new responsibilities.
By her own admission, 50-year-old Anderson's life-long dream never included being Chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.
"But when I decided to run, I knew that it was something I wanted to do. I felt like it was a calling," said Anderson.
There don't seem to be enough hours in the day to accommodate Anderson's busy schedule, but she made time for an interview with me. The chief wants everyone to know the tribe is on solid footing.
Chief Anderson said, "And I feel like we are coming together as one, not just with the people, but also with our governing bodies."
I asked her what was one of the biggest challenges so far. She said there are many.
She said, "One of the biggest things that was weighing heavily as we came into office was the refinance."
Financial stability was in jeopardy and Chief Anderson thought it would take longer than 100 days to get a new loan agreement for the Pearl River Resort and the Bok Homa Casino in Jones County. It didn't.
Anderson said, "And we are making improvements, but one thing that I try to focus on is our expenses.."
Expenses like the millions of dollars paid to Atlanta based Mercury Gaming, Titan Advertising Agency and the Atlanta Braves. Those contracts have ended and the money reinvested back into the tribe. Questionable spending prompted an FBI raid last year. Chief Anderson told me the FBI probe is ongoing.
Anderson said, "The only thing I can tell you is that I spoke to the US Attorney and the only information he gave me was that we are not the target. The resort is not the target, nor the tribe. We are actually the victim and that the investigation is ongoing. And that's all I have at this time."
Advertising is now done in-house, instead of with Titan and Chief Anderson has become somewhat the celebrity over the popular slogan: "It's Vegas with sweet tea."
She said about the commercial, "I was a little bit afraid because I had never done one like that before, however, I knew it was important for the tribe. I knew that we had to make sure that people are welcome here."
By the way, Chief Anderson's first act on her first day in office was to take a 10-percent pay cut. For the first time in four years, cost of living increases went to lower wage earners.
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