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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 1999)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To the editor: I take this opportunity to thank my cousin Everett Butler, Dave Briley, and John Potthoff for assisting our tribal elders. Everett volunteered his time and truck to transport 128 bundles of kindling for me from Salem to the tribal elders at Siletz. He accomplished this after working an entire shift at the paper mill. Everett has made similar contributions to our elders in the past. He truly demonstrates our teachings to give of one’s self to provide for the comfort and needs of our elders. Everett’s neighbor, Dave Briley, accompanied and assisted him in To the editor: Something to think about... In the recent tribal newsletter, it is interesting to read the job openings section. If you will notice, there are various professional positions being offered with our tribe. For instance, dental officer, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, office supervisor, and tribal planner, just to name some of them. Please look very carefully at the qualifications that are required for these positions. Each of these very professional positions asks for at least a degree in the related field of expertise they are offered in. Now then. In one of the resolutions passed by our esteemed Tribal Council, “The previous Tribal Council deliberately set the qualifications for the general manager’s position very high to make sure one of our tribal members could not qualify.” Oh my people! I was on that committee and the truth is, we only asked that the person or persons interviewing for the position of general manager of our tribe would have a degree in the field of business administration, accounting, business management, or at the very least, a degree in a related field. The reason for this is that, at the time, the tribe was restructuring and the GM position was to be made responsible for our timber revenue monies, our casino monies investments, and all expenditures relating to the administration of the tribe. Along with these responsibilities, the GM is also -2- transporting the kindling and repair of his truck when they encountered motor trouble. John Potthoff (mill operator) donated the kindling and his time and equipment to load Everett’s truck. John has made many donations of surplus mill ends and loose kindling to me in the past. Tribal members in Siletz, Salem, Springfield, Portland and Grand Ronde have benefited from his donations. Thanks again, Everett, Dave and John. Words cannot express the respect I have for each of you. Ed Ben over all the programs, the accounting department, and the clinic. Our main reason for changing the GM requirements had nothing to do with “politics,” only the desire to upgrade the position to where it should be, “a top professional spot.” So, in their desire for control, the Council sat down and changed the requirement that the GM have this related degree, and inserted that the position require only “a degree.” This then opened the door for the tribal member who was not qualified before to apply for the GM-position. And who was this poor unqualified tribal member? None other than our esteemed tribal councilperson’s niece! Only three people were asked to interview for this important position, and being as the niece was the only tribal member, guess who got the job? So now, we have a GM with a degree in physical education running our tribe and making the final decisions for all of our top professionals. Incidentally, the “previous” Tribal Council did hire a qualified tribal member who had a degree in business administration, but he was fired to make room for the “niece,” the highly qualified physical ed teacher. But one thing I can say for the present Council, they take care of their own. Hey! How else can they keep control? C.W. Case, Sr. LETTERS, DEADLINES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS All letters received will be printed except those that are 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 these letters. The opinions expressed are those of the individuals writing them. Letters of excessive length may be edited for length as approved by Tribal Council Resolution #96-142. All letters must include your name, address, phone number, and signature. Send letters to: Siletz News P.O. Box 549 Siletz, OR 97380 541-444-8291 1-800-922-1399, ext. 291 Fax: 541-444-2307 e-mail: pias@ctsi.nsn.us Please note: The general manager of the Siletz Tribe is the editor- in-chief of the Siletz News. Editor-in-Chief: Brenda Bremner Editor: Diane Rodriquez Deadline for the October newsletter is Sept. 10. Photos are encouraged. Everyone loves to see photos of events, tribal members, and especially babies. Don’t forget those birthday or anniversary wishes for loved ones. The newsletter is free to enrolled Siletz Tribal members. For all others, a $12 annual subscription fee applies. Fill out this form and mail it with $12 (make check payable to Confederated Tribes of Siletz) to Siletz News. Name:_____________________________ Address:___________________________ Phone: (____ )_______________________ Change of address on your newsletter: Tribal members call Lisa Norton, enrollment clerk, at 541-444-8258; all others, call the newsletter office at 541-444-8291 and leave your new address with the editor.
