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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 1998)
rages Editorial Page Letters to the Editor Thanks for your support I wish to thank all of m y people that voted for me, in council election. I will always be grateful to you my people. God bless you each and everyone. I w ill run again, next time. We need some equity, on council, more than ever for accountability. Thank you. Pete Downey Tyee running man, Shasta Nation Rogue Elder expresses appreciation A t this time I would like to extend a big thank-you to every one that was involved in my recovery, after m y accident. Thanks for the cards, letters and gifts, calls, visits and prayers. Thanks to mom for her help, Don for his constant care of me. May God bless all of you. I would also like to say thank-you to Edmund Ben, Selene Rilatos for passing out the article on m y brother, Joe, at the general council meeting. We should be reminded that he was the founder of our restoration. Thank, you to Ed Ben and Delores for the dry kindling. Thanks to the Lakota Oyate Ki clerk at OSP for the nice get-well card and letter. You are all very much appreciated. May God bless all of you. Gladys Bolton Health Director speaks out I feel compelled to set the record straight regarding my employment status as Health Director for the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. Many of you read and heard derogatory statements concerning m y work performance b y former General Manager, Dennis Goss, and perpetuated by certain Tribal Council members. Normally I would not use the newsletter to discuss personnel issues, but the widespread atten tion forces me to publicly respond. False accusations resulted in me being directed to relocate m y office from the clinic into the administration building so that "my, boss could keep an eye on me." The issue o f ; m y office relocation was raised as a concern of the tribal membership at our November 1997 General Council Meeting. In; that meeting Mr. Goss stated that he would be issuing a 15-page memorandum to me specifically detailing his concents. It is also apparent I was the topic o f discussion between Mr. Goss and Tribal Council during an Executive Session in which I was not allowed to defend myself. Some Council members are apparently under the impression that I have been the subject of disciplinary action by Mr. Goss - NOT TRUE ! In an obvious attempt to justify his actions, Mr. Goss demanded that I document my whereabouts every, day .for. several . months. Thanks to detailed record keeping I was able to answer every ques tion to his complete satisfaction. In a personal meeting with Mr. Goss, I was commended for my skills and abilities, and was assured I would soon return,to my proper office located at the clinic. He confided to me that I needed to remain in the administration building , until certain interested Council members focused their attention elsewhere. Mr. Goss never did send me that promised 15-page memorandum, nor did he suspend, discipline or reprimand me. In fact, shortly before his termination, Mr. Goss referred to me as a model7 employee who Siletz News would be trained to step into the position of General Manager one day. No thank you, I am commit ted to improving the health and well-being of our Tribe through continued growth, expansion and improvement of the Siletz Tribal Health Department. After three months working in the - administration building, responsibilities of my position required that I immediately return to my office at the clinic I on February 2 5 .1 would like to thank m y family, friends and co-workers who supported and encouraged me through these stressful and trying times. Judy Muschatnp Health Director, Roll #1184 Congrats to new council Congratulations to Delores Pigsley, Dolly Fisher and Bonnie Petersen on your election. You will hâve a big job getting everything back on track. Hopefully, it w on 't. take long. Good luck. W anda M elto n W ho is being served? As allowed by our tribal constitution, the people have voiced their concern over the past actions^ ° f ’ five tribal council these fees. Knowing that tribal members by turning in over 698 tribal signatures, asking for a recall election of Lillie Butler, Reggie Butler, Clifford Case, Geneva Johnson, and Denise Petersen. The Election. Board members confirmed this action at the February 21 meeting, notifying tiie Council that a recall election must occur by Mardi 23,1998. It is sad that the general membership, would have to go to this length, but many have tried to voice theircojicems at past council meetings, only to be ignored. Anyone who has read the tribal newsletter knows that many members have been frustrated at the path the tribal leadership took members had not received any. benefit from gaming, w é should scrutinize gaming revenue expenditures. Respectfully submitted, Laurie Brown-Godfrey Letters to the Editor: All letters received will be printed except those which are known to be slanderous or racist. Please type or write legibly, no profane language will be printed. The Siletz News and Tribal Government accept no responsibility for statements made in the Letters to the Editor. The opinions expressed are those of the individual writing in. Letters that exceed 450 words will be edited for length as approved by Tribal Council Resolution #96-142. All letters must include your name, address, and signature. Send your letters to: Siletz News Phone: 1-800-922-1399 PO Box 549 Siletz, OR 97380 Attn: Letters to the Editor email: newspaper@ctsi.nsn.us a PLEASE in removing tribal members from their employment with the tribe, reorganizing tribal programs to fall under the management of the council, terminating the CEO and re-tiding the position to hire a General Manager who they had to terminate within four months. The current tribal council is still dealing with Mr. Goss's financial commitments made for the tribe Without tribal council approval. A t the last election, two council members lost their seats as incumbents. This has happened in the past, aild will happen in the future, as the term of services is three years. Unfortunately, thè five tribal council members being recalled w ill not listen to the Voice of thè general membership and are now looking toward legal council to challenge this vote and the recall process. The election and recall process are our constitu tional rights, and if you do not want to give these up, you need to come forward now! It is appalling that the tribe has used gaming revenue to pay for fees associated with retaining legal counsel in their appeal of thè recall election. Tribal Council approved, by a 5-4 vote, to authorize use of $25,000 in gaming funds to pay N ote : The General Manager of the Siletz Tribe is the Chief Editor of the Siletz News. FAX: 1-541-444-8391 W ork out problems privately Just like every letter written to the editor, T am only stating my bpinibri. I have a lòtto say and it is regarding the majority b f the letters I have recently read in the newsletter. I am appalled by all of the criticizing and the put-downs that ihe people write about one ànothér. And these afe n ot just any people. They are tribal members against onè another. I find it very annoying to read all bf thè cruel, mean, and hurtful words that have been published. I do hot see the meaning behind all bf it. Is it done to try to destroy one's reputation? Is it done to try to and turn others against the person in tiie letter. The only thing I see is, that the best and quickest w ay to solve a prob lem that seems so important, is to go directly to that persbn and work i f out privately, arid avoid involving innocent readers in what seems to be personnel
