Bo Mazzetti has been re-elected to his fourth term as chairman of the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians with Tishmall Turner, elected to the post of vice chairwoman, serving her first term of tribal council leadership. Incumbent Alfonso Kolb, who ran unopposed, begins his second two-year term as a tribal council member.

“It is both an honor and great responsibility to serve the Rincon people. Faced with so many changes and new challenges, I am grateful that Rincon members value the consistency and direction of our leadership, and have given me more time to complete the agenda priorities I have embraced over the past 8 years, “said Mazzetti.

“The band’s desire to become economically independent and self-governing is an important element to our success as business owners and a government. Our folks often disagree on the path, but our goals and history unite us. Like my father before me, and our ancestors before him, we are determined to keep our cultural and sovereign identities, and at the same time continue to build good relations with our neighbors and local governments with whom we share many common concerns.”

The five-member council is elected on a rotating basis with the officers and one council position voted on every two years, and two additional council positions in the off years.

The 2017-2018 Rincon Tribal Council consists of Chairman Mazzetti, Vice Chairwoman Turner, Council Member Kolb, and incumbent Council Members Steve Stallings and Laurie G. Gonzalez.

In addition to serving as the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the government, the tribal council is the board of directors for tribal enterprises, including, Harrah’s Resort Southern California, one of the premier resorts in San Diego County.

The Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians occupies a 6,000-acre reservation in Valley Center, and has a tribal population of 500 plus enrolled members. Established in 1875, the Rincon Band is a sovereign government recognized by the U.S. Constitution, the United States Congress, court precedent, and federal policy.

Democratically elected by a majority vote of tribal members, the Rincon Council has the executive, legislative, and legal authority and responsibility to protect and promote the welfare of the tribal members and jurisdiction over the reservation land. The tribe is not subdivision of the county or state, but as a federally recognized sovereign tribal government, Rincon has powers equal to a city, county, or state. More information on the Rincon Band may be found at www.rincontribe.org