Two owners of Martin Publishing, Donald Rose and Joseph Martin announced their candidacy for the offices of Tribal Council representative. Rose declared that he is seeking to represent the Painttown Community, and Martin will be seeking to represent Cherokee County/Snowbird. Rose had been active in petitioning voters to hold a referendum to allow alcohol sales in the casino. Martin decided to run because he felt there was a need to bring balance back to tribal government and put tribal government back in the hands of the membership.
     Rose returned to Cherokee in 2006 to assist in an effort to establish a wireless broad band system to bring connectivity to the remote areas of the reservation.  He developed a comprehensive system design and business plan for the system.  He continues to work with the tribal Technology Steering Committee on that and other communications efforts.  He serves on the board of directors with Balsam West Fibernet, a company that is jointly owned by Drake Enterprises and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. He is a member of the Advisory Board of the Rose Western Carolina University School of Business entrepreneur and community development program.
    Martin returned to his tribal roots in 1995. In 1996 he was hired as editor of the Cherokee One Feather, the tribally owned weekly newspaper. During his tenure as editor, the One Feather vastly improved in content, to the point of getting third place from the Native American Journalists Association for editorial writing in 2004 at the Unity Journalists of Color convention in Washington. His tenure at the One Feather came to an end in 2007 when Principal Chief Michell Hicks forced him out after he had criticized Hicks' interference in the editorial process in a column in the Asheville Citizen-Times. Press freedom, open and accountable government are issues Martin holds dear and plans to make the focus of his candidacy.
     Rose entered the Air Force at the age of 17 and served for 25 years. During the Korean War he was a radio operator on B-29 bombers; in Vietnam he served 13 months and flew numerous combat missions as an Electronic Warfare Officer on the B-52 Bombers.  He served in enlisted status for ten years before attending Officer Candidate School.  He was commissioned a second lieutenant and rose to the rank of Major before his retirement.  Awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and the Air Medal as well as several other lesser awards and decorations.
     Martin worked for the tribe under four different principal chief's administrations. He has lived in three different tribal communities, Wolfetown, Yellowhill and Cherokee County. He has lived in Cherokee County since 2004. Martin has been published in publications nationwide, including such local notables as the Asheville Citzen-Times, Indian Country notables such as the Cherokee Phoenix and national notables like Associated Press. Martin is a skilled communicator, a master at media relations and an award-winning writer.
     Rose, after leaving military service, worked in aerospace for 14 years. He led large scale information system development efforts for the military and rose to the position of senior vice president responsible for all facets of planning and management of  a multi-million dollar company that supported a number of Department of Defense and federal government organization.  The scope of work for which he was responsible included continuity of government in the event of nuclear attack; military support to the interdiction of drug traffic; development and operation of military intelligence data collection and analysis systems and a variety of similar efforts for Defense Intelligence Agencies. In 1988 he founded his own company, Command Technologies, Inc. During the following 16 years he grew the company to almost 500 employees and grew the annual revenue to $40 million. The scope of work performed included development of computer based training systems, large scale networks, virtual reality training devices; management of $50 million research and development projects, technical support to the Shuttle Launch Program for NASA, sustaining engineering for the global nuclear detonation detection and reporting system. He was selected as the minority business person of the year for the state of Virginia in 1994.  His company garnered numerous awards for excellence and was selected as the prime contractor of the year for the mid-Atlantic region.  His company was profitable each year and was debt free when he sold it in 2004 for $47 million cash. He chaired the successful petition drive to give tribal members who are registered to vote and opportunity to voice their opinion on the alcohol referendum issue. He is a member of the advocacy group encouraging passage of the referendum.
    After being terminated from the tribe, Martin, with his wife Angela Martin and Rose, began Martin Publishing, publishing the only privately owned tribally-centered publication. While the paper ceased printing due to economic circumstances, it remains the only Eastern Cherokee-centered publication with a website. Martin continues to lead the publication through what have been trying economic times for the news industry. Countless tribal members have been thankful of the publication, which has been willing to tackle subjects and issues considered taboo for the tribally-owned media. Martin has had some success in advocating for, drafting and getting passed legislation that has furthered the cause for open government. Among such accomplishments are the public records ordinance, which was a collaboration with then tribal attorney Mike McConnel and Yellowhill Rep. Alan B. Ensley; and more defined criteria for which Tribal Council or any tribal governmental entity can go into closed session.
   Rose is the son of the late Ted and Mildred Rose.  He grew up on Stillwell Branch; attended boarding school and is a graduate of the Cherokee Indian School.  His education includes a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of  Nebraska, Omaha Campus; he is a distinguished graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and has studied business administration at Dartmouth College. Don is married to the former Carolyn Voyles of Gastonia; they have five adult children; 11 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
   Martin is the son of Richard H. Martin of Auburn, Ala. and Rosalie Washington Rowell of Cherokee, grandson of the late Jarrett Washington and Georgia Sneed Washington. Martin graduated in the honors program from Auburn High School in 1988 (one year ahead of President Obama's press secretary Robert Gibbs). He holds a B.A. in Public Relations-Speech Communications from Auburn University obtained in 1993. Martin has recently become a licensed health, accident & sickness and life insurance agent representing Aflac. Martin is married to C. Angela Martin, daughter of Lena Smoker Martin and the late Cherokee County/Snowbird Rep. Albert Martin. Anglea Martin is a former casino executive with a degree in Economics from Applachian State University. Joseph and Angela Martin are expecting their first child in October.
    Rose sums up his candidacy, "I'm an enrolled member who is well educated and is armed with extensive experience in technology, management and leadership, a successful business man with complete understanding of all facets of business planning and management; financial management and, personnel management. My leadership and business management experience make me an ideal candidate to help oversee and manage tribal resources and programs. I'm retired and therefore will be able to devote a full time effort in performance of my duties as a member of the tribal council."
   Martin said of his run for Council, "We're coming upon some seriously challenging times ahead, and Cherokee County and Snowbird both need a representative who can rise to meet those challenges. With gaming and the relationship the tribe has with the state and federal governments, we can't afford elect officials who are ignorant, incompetent and unprofessional. We also need to elect officials who are willing to keep their constituents informed. The tribe's elected officials work for their constituents, and those officials need to be willing to be open and honest with their constituents. It's time for tribal government to treat its constituents like constituents. Elected officials are not royalty, and the tribal members are not subjects. We're a democracy, and we need to act like one."