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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 1998)
To Tribal Members - I want to express my disappointment with Bonnie Peterson and others that were suppose to listen to General Council. Bonnie Peterson shut the General Council meeting down on November 7,1998. She and others setting at the table walked out of the meeting. I had questions on the following items such as Council ethics. 1. There is a resolution with just Dee Pigsley’s signature on it compensating her neice Brenda Bremner and Phil Rilatos. What was Brenda Bremner and Phil Rilatos being compensated for? 2. Dolly Fisher at the October Council meeting was asking for a raise for her brother. 3. Bonnie Peterson interfering in her husband Frank Peterson’s job with the Tribe. Frank Peterson is not a tribal member. 4. Phil Rilatos accepting a council position and then turning around and getting appointed to a job at Chinook Winds. The position for Phil Rilatos at Chinook Winds was approved by council. A job was created and Brenda Bremner was appointed to the position by council. The 1999 Self-govemance budget did not allow for any more positions under indirect. Additional positions meant that programs would have to support position. How was this position funded and why tl*e position created and not advertised? Another question was Frank Peterson’s mismanagement as Director of the 477 program, which includes TANAF (Welfare), JTPA, Elders, General Assistance (GA), social Service. Frank Peterson stated at the October meeting that he fired one employee and laid a temporary position off. There was no money to keep the temporary position. Employee hours were cut by 10 hours per week. Frank said the Tribe has an obligation to the JTPA grant but there is no money for classroom training, or work experience. The employees were to recommend that JTPA clients look for a job. That would be the tribes service under the grant. Frank Peterson said the program was $235,000 overspent. He implied that it was the fault of the person who was fired. What was Frank Peterson’s responsibility? The General Manager said he was going ot reprimand Frank but did not know at the October meeting what kind of reprimand Frank would get. Frank is still working but out tribal members cannot get additional service from that program because of mismanagement. Another issue I wanted to speak on, was the attorney working so hard against a recalled Council member that he is allowing state law to become a precedent with a sovereign government. I am talking about denial of unemployment compensation. The denial for unemployment compensation for a recalled council member is based on state law. A tribal attorney should be protecting the tribe’s sovereignty and not let state law become a precedent. Lillie Butler To the Editor - Tribal members, I have a serious concern that happened at what was supposed to be a General Council Meeting Nov. 7,1998. As a Tribal Elder I got up to explain something that was not maybe understood. I surely got royal treatment, constant interruptions and comments while I was speaking. Lilly said it was not about self-govemance but the Council. The whole issue is self-governance, responsible, hard working people working to improve their tribe. The court system made a decision to help keep our tribe from facing economic disaster. If the BIA had to come in, it may have taken months and our tribe would have lost millions of dollars and services. It is my view that disagreement can and does often lead to better solutions. Undisciplined childish, temper tantrums only drives people apart if they are honestly wanting to help the tribe. Bensell Breon To Tribal Members - The last General Council meeting wa shandled very unprofessional and was out of line by Tribe Council. The General Council meeting was adjourned by Vice-Chairman Bonnie Peterson and the self-appointed council walked out. There was no one out of order. A resolution was passed by the vote of the General Council to change the agenda. Pat Duncan is still recognized as Chairman by General Council until a federal appeals court says different. The Council staff* was very lude. They turned off the coffee pot, pop machine and took away paper cups. Margo.Hudson, who was once council secretary, informed the council to lock the doors. The doors were not locked so Chairman Duncan resumed the meeting. The self appointed council did not stay to listen to General Council concerns. But, the meeting was very productive. General Council expressed their concerns about issues that are happening internally with the tribe. Discussion was on the tribe’s social service programs and other programs that are having budget problems. Members wanted an explanation from the Council on appointing high level positions to family, friends and relatives and not following the personnel manual that was created by Council. There was question on Constitution violation by the present Council. The Council allowed paid time off* for employees who write letters against a past General Manager. The Council attorney had previously gone through those letters and the facts found should not justify paid leave. I say any employee who writes a letter against any General Manager deserves a day off*. The Council cannot deny the leave, they have already allowed this to happen. What about third party billing money from the health clinic? This money is suppose to be used to keep our tribal members healthy. It is an insurance for our people. The questions I wanted to ask Council was: Did they use this money to clean up contaminated land? Can Council use third party billing however they want. If they did use the money, is there federal guidelines attached to how the money is suppose to be spent? What responsibility does the Health Director Judy Muschamp have in safeguarding the money from Council? The self appointed Chairman is sending out letters on the great job they are doing. There is no information that is productive, no information on programs or the casino. To me, she is making lame excuses for violations being done by Council. Our constitution, personnel manual and other ordinances might as well go into the waste basket. The constitution which the tribe should hold scared was grossly violated and the tribal court assisted in this violation along with the self appointed council. Reggie Butler, Sr. To Fellow Tribal Members - My name is Mary Hudson, Siletz Tribal Member, and I’m seeking help in finding a family member. My information that I have is very little, but if you can help me in any way with this situation, it would be very helpful to my family and me. Some years ago, Maxine Washington had a baby girl and she was given up for adoption. Her name at birth was Mildred, later on I ran into her and she was going by the name Lori Beal. If you could help in any way to find her, you can call me at (541) 336-4202. My mailing address is P.O. Box 384, Toledo, OR 97391. Very Sincerely - Mary Hudson Oregon Coast Community College Meeting Announcement Monday, December 14,1998 7:00 p.m at the North Center
