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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2000)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To the editor: The “Hate Dee Club” and its leaders have apparently forgotten the reasons for our tribe being able to be restored. The reasons: Tribal members had alcohol and/or drug problems, needed health care, were dropping out of school, weren’t getting good-paying jobs, and needed housing. Some of our people were successful in their personal lives and were usually the elected tribal leaders. Although we had people in many different occupations and even businesses, the base needed to help our tribe to be immediately successful was limited, and the demand by tribal members to be boss, who had limited or no experience in business, government, law, or dealing with people, happened to be a good cause for mistakes to be made. Frank Simmons has always said, “If you aren’t doing anything, you won’t make mistakes.” That still applies. We have tribal members who met minimum requirements, but through their own efforts have become valuable reasons for our tribal success. If any tribal members can honestly say that they have not made mistakes in their lives, they can probably also walk on deep water. The members of the “Hate Dee Club” argue very well for the protection of government and tribal member rights, but the real reasons for wanting control of tribal government became very apparent when they were the Council majority - they wanted to get back at or even with people they said did them wrong. I guess it’s OK to accuse people of wrongdoing so that when you get in power, it makes it OK for you to do things illegally. They lost the court cases that were started against them when they were in power. One woman “Hate Dee Club” member said the Council spent money wrongly in settling the cases out of court. I totally agree. The Council should sue the former ‘lab five” for the money the tribe had to spend because of their actions. The recalled, former, and one current Council member got off totally, without any penalties in the recall and out-of-court- settled cases. The accusations being made by the “Hate Dee Club” are very serious and should only be settled in a court of law to determine if something is illegal or wrong. If you cannot prove your accusations in a court of law, you are guilty of spreading vicious rumors and lies. In the non-lndian world, you would have been in court for what has been publicly said and written. To all tribal members I repeat: It is important that you learn how tribal government operates so you will know if a problem exists and will have ideas to help fix the problem. It is your responsibility as a tribal member to help our tribe be successful. Otherwise, you become part of the problem. Bensell Breon To the editor: (On May 20), Oregon Coast Community College conducted final practical exams for 29 students who had completed the Basic Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course. At the end of the day, 28 students successfully passed the practical portion of the EMT certification. This critical part of the testing could not have been completed without the assistance of the EMS workers who donated their time to make all this possible. In fact, there were so many volunteers for this year’s event that we turned away several individuals who wanted to help. We applaud this selfless dedication in helping make Lincoln County an even better place to live. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following individuals for volunteering their time: Chris Fairchild, John Slinkard (Depoe Bay Rural Fire District), Heidi Funkhauser (Newport Coast Guard), Jason Bruster, Rick Crook, Guy DiTorrice, Joey Novello, Mike- Samples, Olivia Snell (Newport Fire Department), Nicole Cleland, Carol Gundlach, Pat Lohr, Keith Marquand, Linda Martin, Carolyn Mooney, Vince Stafford, Kim Waggner (Central Oregon Coast Fire & Rescue District), Scott Rupp, Rick Smith, Amanda Fahy and Luis Castello (Pacific West Ambulance), Peter Benjamin, Patty Benjamin, Becky Kowalski (Seal Rock); Gary Ricketts (Siletz Fire District); and Craig Griffith (Toledo Fire Department). It was a fitting culmination to National EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Week that ran May 14 through May 20. Pat O’Connor, President, Oregon Coast Community College ‘Editor’s Note: Siletz Community Health Clinic staff members Tabitha Ebner and Brenda Robertson both have completed their basic EMT training. They have passed the practicums and soon will take the written test. 2 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 August issue is July 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. 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.
