NEAH BAY — Healthcare has emerged as a prime issue among five candidates seeking one position on the Makah Tribal Council in today’s election.

Blanchard Matte is the incumbent, challenged by write-in candidate Dotti Chamblin and by Gary Ray, Ted Noel and Leah Neuneker.

Matte and three of the others would “compact” the present Indian Health Service Clinic on the Makah Reservation, bringing it under the tribe’s self-governance.

Only Chamblin opposes the move, saying the federal government has an obligation under the Treaty of Neah Bay to provide adequate health service.

“I’m the only one who takes a different position,” she said Sunday.

“It’s not our problem the government doesn’t have money,” she said. “The government has a fiduciary responsibility to do these things automatically.”

Chamblin also cited her experience campaigning for Democratic candidates and said she wanted to eliminate what she called a speed trap on state Highway 112 between mileposts 33 and 35.

Matte said compacting the clinic would provide the tribe directly with money that now filters through the Indian Health Service, saving the tribe about $1.5 million in salaries annually.

The clinic also could afford more services and possibly cover non-Native spouses of enrolled Makah members, he said.