LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
To the editor:
It goes on and on and on...
My people,
Me again, with just a few little
tidbits for you, things that our “present”
Council doesn’t deem to let you know.
In answer to Wanda Milton’s letter
slamming the “last Council,” the only
“hole” we were ever in was the casino
costs. We never had any money to do
anything with. Our efforts to make the
people responsible for reporting
program and administration costs were
never answered.
And isn’t it odd that only days
after the illegal recall, money started
pouring in from everywhere. And Wanda,
ask your “present” Council about the
resolution they passed 9-0 to take
$100,000 per month out of our timber
investments for “administration” costs.
This is on top of the casino money.
Speaking of casino funds, why is the
money that was allocated ($1,600,000)
in 1999 to the five branches of our tribal
government still sitting in special bank
accounts? I know our education program
sure could use those funds.
I see the tribal elders voted to not
help our southern relatives in Rogue
River. Funny, none of the elders
remember that vote. But the Tribal
Council decided not to help them get
recognized. Did we not have help from
other tribes when we started our
restoration efforts?
Interesting how the Tribal Council
is trying to pass a constitutional change
that would let the Tribal Court overturn
any legislative or administrative decision.
Didn’t they already allow the court to do
that with the appointment of five Council
members? By allowing the Court to issue
a “declaratory judgement,” sounds
impressive but it certainly did not legally
allow what happened.
In closing, look for the
“Commotion at the Ocean” boxing
program to lose money for the tribe big
time. Not that the figures will ever be
disclosed.
Don’t forget to get your
registration cards updated and be sure
to vote!
Thank you, I remain
C.W. Case, Sr.
2
To the editor:
In regards to the elections and
incoming ballots...
The old ballot box that was used
for years became unusable so the
Council decided to store them in a
fireproof safe. Only the election director
had access to the safe. He is not a tribal
member and has a spotless reputation.
Why worry about the ballots
now? A few years ago, they were freely
passed out to certain people by the then-
Election Board. Some of them were your
friends and perhaps relatives,
Ms. Peterson.
The ballots are opened and
counted in public. You have been there
so know the process. No one else
has complained.
The mess this tribe got into is
pretty well squared away now by the
present Tribal Council. You and the
others who were recalled should hide
your heads in shame.
Time sheets were jacked up,
expensive lawyers were hired,
competent employees were fired, plus
many other infractions occurred, but the
tribe is recovering and moving ahead for
the good of all and our families.
Dan Fisher
To the editor:
Thank you to Chinook Winds,
Siletz Tribal Charitable Donations
Committee, Chinook Winds Casino and
Convention Center, an enterprise of the
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
of Oregon.
On Dec. 4, 1999, I received
$1,200 from the committee to be used
for elders and children for each area
office Christmas party. Three hundred
dollars is for the elders and $100 is for
gifts for tribal youth.
A special thank you to the
committee for remembering our elders
and children. Your donation makes it
possible for us to provide the parties.
Also, a special thank you to all the
individuals who work so hard to plan the
gatherings for us at Christmas. I know
the planning and time you put into it. We
appreciate your thoughtfulness.
Yours very truly,
Shirley B. Walker
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 Siletz News.
Editor-in-Chief: Brenda Bremner
Editor: Diane Rodriquez
Deadline for the February
newsletter is Jan. 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.